Post-doctoral fellow in Environmental Science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Biodiversity conservation must be both functional and sustainable to respond to global environmental change. This postdoc will work on a new interdisciplinary project (A View Across Fields) to explore the ecology and social motivations around pollinator conservation in agricultural landscapes to provide policymakers and farmers with robust, generalisable, and holistic recommendations for pollinator conservation in agricultural landscapes. To this end, the postdoc will develop, run, and analyse both social and ecological surveys in collaboration with researchers from several disciplines.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The successful candidate will focus on pollinator conservation in agricultural systems. Duties will include setting up study systems, communicating with farmers, beekeepers, and authorities, and writing scientific publications. The position will utilise a broad skillset such as empirical expertise on bees, their reproductive output and pollination services in agricultural landscapes, and social techniques for predicting engagement in pollinator conservation. The work also includes the possibility to supervise MSc or BSc students.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• A comprehensive understanding of agroecology.
• Excellent skills in written and verbal communication in English.
• Documented ability to develop and complete high-quality research.
• Driver’s license.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Documented knowledge about interactions between beneficial organisms and agricultural practices.
• Experience in working with ecotoxicology at semi-field or field-scales.
• Experience in landscape-scale ecological studies with bees.
• Experience communicating with farmers, beekeepers, and authorities.
• Experience disseminating scientific research.
• Documented use of socio-economic research methods.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.