Senior University Lecturer in Quaternary Sciences - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Research within Quaternary Sciences focuses on physical, chemical and biological changes and processes during the Quaternary Period, as recorded in well-dated terrestrial and marine deposits, and aims to gain an increased understanding of the complex Earth System and its most recent geological history.

The research infrastructure at Quaternary Sciences includes well-equipped laboratories for stratigraphic, geochemical, mineral magnetic, biological and structural analyses of different geological materials, as well as a range of dating techniques (radiocarbon, dendrochronology, palaeomagnetism, lead and caesium radioisotopes, and luminescence) and an extensive set of fieldwork equipment. Traditionally, palaeoecology/palaeolimnology, palaeoclimatology, glacial geology and chronology have been the main research themes, today extended and complemented with biogeochemistry, cosmogenic nuclides, dendroclimatology, environmental geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, marine geology and palaeoclimate modelling. Established research connections exist with a range of other disciplines at Lund University, including aquatic ecology, environmental sciences, physical geography and ecosystem science, engineering geology, water resources engineering, physics and archaeology, as well as with an extensive national and international network. More information is available at geology.lu.se.

The position is in connection to the Lund ¹⁴C laboratory (http://www.geol.lu.se/c14/en/). ¹⁴C measurements in Lund have a 50-year long tradition and are presently performed with a Single Stage Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (SSAMS). Sample preparation is aided by a new automated graphitization equipment. Presently the staff includes seven people working for the laboratory to a varying percentage (equivalent to about three full-time positions).

Description of responsibilities
The successful candidate will be the leader of the ¹⁴C SSAMS laboratory at the department that serves internal and external customers. The successful candidate’s responsibility is quality assurance of ¹⁴C sample preparation and measurements, analysis of ¹⁴C AMS results, support in customer contact, oversight of the running of the laboratory including personnel, equipment and economy. Responsibilities in connection to the ¹⁴C laboratory are expected to be around 30-40% of a full time position. The successful candidate’s responsibility is to ensure the financial coverage of the salaries and equipment. The successful candidate is expected to build up an active research profile within Quaternary Sciences, strengthening any of the existing research areas at the department. The applicant is, therefore, expected to present his/her present research and a research plan for the coming years.

A senior lecturer at the division of Quaternary Sciences has to engage in teaching at all levels and is expected to take an active part in pedagogical development. Those qualified for appointment as a senior lecturer are persons who have demonstrated teaching expertise and have been awarded a PhD degree or have 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. We expect that the lecturer will contribute to bachelor and master student supervision. He/she should be able to develop course material and teach within Quaternary Sciences, preferably including Quaternary climate and glaciation history, applied geology or statistical methods in geosciences. Teaching and supervision within basic education are estimated to about 20-30% of a full time position which may change over time depending on the work load in connection to the ¹⁴C laboratory. More information regarding current courses can be found on the Department’s web site.

Ability to generate external funding is expected which will be assessed based on the track record of the candidate.

Qualifications
Those qualified for appointment as a senior lecturer, except in disciplines in the fine, applied or performing arts, are according to the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, 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. Ordinance (2010:1064).

The applicant should have a track record from the broad field of Earth Sciences, but ability to familiarize with the required methods for ¹⁴C data analysis within short time is required. Therefore, the applicant should have documented mathematical/statistical skills within Quaternary Sciences. Documented experience of AMS ¹⁴C or similar data analysis is a strong merit.

Documented experience of teaching and course management is required. Emphasis will also be put on the extent to which the applicant can contribute to the development of the educational program and strengthening the research profile at the Department of Geology. Previous experience of teaching within Quaternary climate and glaciation history, applied geology or statistical methods in geosciences is a merit.

The applicant should have documented academic leadership skills, ability to generate external funding in strong competition and collaborative skills, qualities which are of central importance in the assessment. The quality and number of peer-reviewed scientific publications should be at a high international level.

Fluent English and good communication skills are required. Other relevant personal qualities are a positive approach, openness and ability to listen and discuss.

It is desired that any non-Swedish speaking appointee shall be able to communicate in Swedish within a three-year period.

The assessment criteria for appointment as a senior lecturer, according to the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of other qualifying criteria laid down in the first paragraph above. Each higher education institution determines itself what assessment criteria are otherwise to apply to the appointment of a senior lecturer. Ordinance (2010:1064).

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for teaching positions are given in Lund University Appointment Rules.

For example, the candidate must have completed at least five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means. The overall assessment will also take into consideration any personal capabilities that are of value to carry out the duties of the position well.

Required content of the application
The Faculty Board has specified instructions for the application and its accompanying documents. These can be found here.