Umeå University, Sweden, announces two associate senior lecturer positions. The positions are announced as part of the research programme Ecosystem Change which includes ecologists, environmental scientists, evolutionary biologists, bio-mathematicians, and biogeochemists. The focus of our research is on the complex interplay between external drivers such as climate, energy and matter inputs, and physical habitat structure and internal mediators (biological transformers of energy and material) to predict community and ecosystem responses to environmental changes. We are now looking for two young and visionary scientists in the areas of ecological stoichiometry and paleoecology to complement and strengthen our expertise in the research environment.
Ecological stoichiometry (reference number 312-224-11) The holder of the position should carry out research within the area of ecological stoichiometry, defined in a broad context. We are looking for a researcher who could study how the flow of energy and matter is coupled to the dynamics of populations, communities and whole ecosystems in a bidirectional way. Research may include studies of elemental and stoichiometric constraints on individual performance and life history, and/or on the structure, function, and productivity of ecological systems, as well as studies of feedbacks of population and community dynamics, on flows and transformations of energy and matter. Paleoecology (reference number 312-225-11) The holder of the position should have one of two nonexclusive research profiles, both aimed at strengthening the integration between research in paleoecology, ecology and evolution in the research environment. One possible research profile is in aquatic paleoecology to study lake-ecosystem dynamics across limnological and paleolimnological timescales (Holocene), integrating geochemical and ecological/evolutionary research. Here, we particularly encourage applications from scientists using up-to-date paleolimnological approaches such as molecular genetic, spectroscopic or biogeochemical methods. An alternative research profile is in evolutionary paleoecology to address evolutionary questions with paleoecological methods, to enhance the ongoing integration of paleoecology with research in evolution and biogeography, and in collaboration with researchers in macroevolution, macroecology, phylogenetics or population genetics. The duration of a position as associate senior lecturer is four years of research, and can be expanded to five years with 20 % of teaching. At the end of the employment period, an associate senior lecturer owns the right to be examined for a permanent position as senior lecturer at Umeå University. The assessment criteria for such an examination are described in the corresponding job profile. To be eligible, in the first place, for the position as associate senior lecturer you should have a PhD, or a corresponding degree, which is not more than five years old, in a relevant field such as ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science or biogeochemistry. An associate senior lecturer should primarily pursue research. The successful applicant is expected to create his/her own research group and to supervise graduate students as well as post-docs. He/she is also expected to attract research grants from external sources of funding and to have a vivid collaboration with scientists at both Umeå University and other universities. In the evaluation, particular emphasis will be given to scientific skills. Pedagogical and administrative skills and the ability to collaborate with other researchers in the Strong Research Environment will also be considered. Further information about the position and how to apply can be found at http://www8.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/312-224-225-11.html#eng Last day for application is April 26, 2011. Roland Jansson, associate professor Dept. of Ecology and Environmental Science Umeå University SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden phone: +46-(0)90-7869573 web: http://www.emg.umu.se/english/about-the-department/staff/jansson-roland
