Post-doctoral fellow in Aquatic ecology

Subject description

The situation of cod stocks in all Swedish waters is critical. Despite several years of closed fishery, there has been no significant improvement in cod stock status. has been closed several years without any improvements of the status. The decline is likely due to a combination of historical overfishing, degraded environmental conditions, and increased populations of cod predators such as seals and cormorants.

One possible measure to support cod recovery, particularly the survival of large reproductively important individuals, is the use of artificial reefs. These structures provide shelter from predators and may enhance local resource availability. The Hanö cod reef association has placed 35 artificial reefs near the island of Hanö. The area has been monitored with respect to physical conditions and biological activity, using video recordings from both reef sites and comparable control areas. Within this position as post-doc you will be responsible for developing tools of analysing the recordings already executed as well as collecting new recordings. The development of analytical tools will be performed in co-operation with InfraVis (https://infravis.se), which are experts on machine learning solutions and data visualisation. In addition will some cod individuals be tagged, and their behaviour be monitored using acoustic telemetry. The cod behaviour could also be correlated with continuous monitoring of different environmental variables.

As a post doc you will have the opportunity to shape the research direction in collaboration with the research group, with members representing Marint centrum, Simrishamn, Department of Geology at Lund university, Swedish university of agricultural sciences and Hanö cod reef association. You will be affiliated with the Unit for Functional Ecology at the Department of Biology, Lund university (https://www.biology.lu.se/research/functional-ecology).

Work duties

The primary focus of this postdoctoral position is to conduct independent and collaborative research within the subject area, with a strong emphasis on publishing results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The position is designed to provide opportunities to develop a competitive research profile and contribute actively to the academic output of the host group. The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may be included in the position, but will not exceed 20% of full-time working hours. The position also includes the opportunity to complete three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Work duties include:

• Conducting and publishing high-quality research within the subject field
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Actively seeking external funding
• Collaboration with industry and wider society
• Administration related to the work duties listed above
   

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

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Driving licence for car (B), valid in Sweden

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 statistical data processing and scientific publishing 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
• Documented experience of field work, telemetry methods and fish tagging surgery.
• Experience in developing analytical methods of video recording using machine learning and data visualisation.
• Communication skills in transdisciplinary environments

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 a maximum 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.