Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science with a focus on greenhouse gas exchange processes in terrestrial ecosystems - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (INES) has about 100 employees with the majority being active in research activities. INES has a broad scientific profile and conducts research and educational activities within a series of scientific fields associated with climate and ecosystems, including ecosystem modelling, Earth observation, atmospheric science, and geographic information science. Extensive greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane) exchange measurements between the land surface and atmosphere are conducted in arctic, boreal, and temperate environments. Research based on greenhouse gas measurements not only play an essential role for INES’ profile within climate-related studies, but are also central for our Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes where society’s goals for mitigating and adapting to climate change are analysed in light of the carbon cycle. We offer one BSc programme in “Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science” as well as 5 additional MSc programmes all with an international focus (www.nateko.lu.se).

INES greenhouse gas measurement activities have evolved in parallel, and in close collaboration with, ICOS Sweden (Integrated Carbon Observing System), which is financed by the Swedish Research Council and partnered with the European-level ICOS ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) and whose headquarters are at the Centre for Climate and Environmental Science (CEC) at Lund University. INES is also host for the European ICOS ERIC’s data portal (Carbon Portal) and is responsible for compiling and distributing data from ICOS Sweden. Research pivoting around greenhouse gas exchange measurements are important for INES’ cooperation with CEC within the strategic research areas BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate) and MERGE (ModElling the Regional and Global Earth system) to which INES contributes unique competence and methods that are central for the research field’s scientific goals and cooperative efforts.

Job description
We seek to hire a lecturer in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science with a focus on micrometeorological methods for generating data regarding greenhouse gas exchange between the Earth surface, vegetation, and atmosphere. The department runs a number of field stations for measuring carbon fluxes using eddy covariance techniques in primarily boreal and temperate environments but also in semi-arid ecosystems located in Africa. Application areas for these measurements range from generating basic knowledge within micrometeorology and ecosystem function, to forestry, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

INES is partnered with ICOS Sweden and has staff that works at two research sites that include four ICOS Sweden stations (two Class 1 atmospheric stations and two Class 2 ecosystem stations). These ICOS Sweden stations are co-located with ACTRIS (Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure) stations and are also included in SITES Spectral (infrastructure for spectral measurements of ecosystem monitoring). The candidate is expected to develop their research in close relation to these resources while simultaneously linking up with exiting research areas within the department.

The candidate will conduct and lead research in the department, engage in teaching activities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and is expected to act as the scientific director of ICOS Sweden. The scientific directorship is expected to account for 25-50% of the position. The tasks associate with this position, as well as the relative proportions of research and teaching, may change over time.

The scientific director for ICOS Sweden is responsible for leading the organisation’s operations, including planning, leading, and prioritising activities within the framework of its operational plan and budget with support from the leadership team. Collaboration with the deputy director as well as regular financial reporting are also included. Additional tasks include the preparation of supporting documentation, and reporting to ICOS Sweden’s steering committee. Finally, the scientific director acts as the contact person between the European ICOS and the national-level Swedish network.

The candidate is expected to apply for external funding in order to finance the costs for their own research as well as their research group’s salaries. A start up package will include resources equivalent to the cost of a PhD student to facilitate building a research group.

The candidate will also be expected to contribute to educational activities at all levels including the development of course modules, courses, as well as supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Micrometeorology, vegetation-atmosphere exchange processes, as well understanding the role of vegetation in terms of climate and climate change are key teaching areas. The “Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science” Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are most relevant in the context of this position, but the candidate may also contribute to other educational programmes in the department (e.g. within GIS and Remote Sensing), depending on the level of competence in these subjects.

The tasks of the position also include cooperation and outreach activities between the university and the rest of the world, for example through BECC, MERGE, and LU Land.

Eligibility
Those qualified for appointment as a Senior Lecturer are a person who has demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a PhD or has the corresponding research competence or some other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the post and the duties that it will involve (according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 4, section 4).

For this position the qualified applicants must have a doctorate within the field of Physical Geography, Ecosystem Science, or another relevant field.

It is a requirement to have completed at least five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means. In certain cases exceptions can be made from this requirement.

For academic staff at Lund University the general qualification requirements are to be suited to and having the general ability required to complete the duties of the post well.

A high degree of competence in both spoken and written English is required.

Basis of assessment
Qualified candidates must have a strong research profile within the following areas:

• Measurements of greenhouse gas exchange using eddy covariance techniques, but also other methods that can be used to measure or quantify fluxes of energy and trace gasses.
•  Interactions between terrestrial ecosystems and the climate system at different spatio-temporal scales, particularly in the context of processes that drive the exchange of mass and energy in the land surface-vegetation-atmosphere system.

Evaluation of scientific credentials will primarily be based on the quality and number of scientific publications.

The applicant must append a research plan that explains that type of research to be conducted. The plan must describe how the applicant’s research will strengthen and further develop research at the department and how it will benefit from ICOS Sweden’s infrastructure.

Qualified candidates must demonstrate:

• Experience and ability to apply for and obtain competitive research funding both nationally and internationally.
• Experience of leading research projects.
• Experience of teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience management, coordination, or administration of large scientific infrastructure projects, for example ICOS Sweden.
• Experience supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s theses as well as the development and delivery of courses at both introductory and advanced levels (including PhD level).
• Experience in communicating science, and the societal values of research.

In addition, consideration will be given to how the applicant, can strengthen and supplement the department´s teaching in this field.

As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research expertise.

When making the appointment, consideration will be given to the Lund University Appointment Rules. 

It is expected that any non-Swedish speaking appointee within a three-year period will master the Swedish language well enough to be able to teach and to communicate with the university administration in Swedish.

Promotion
A highly qualified individual at the rank of senior lecturer can, after being employed, apply to be promoted to the rank of professor.

Design and content of the application
We would recommend you to write your application in English, since it will be assessed by international experts. The application should be formulated according to the Faculty of Science’s Instructions for applications for an academic position. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system.