Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) - The assessment of long-term Fennoscandian monitoring data to predict future trajectories of northern lake productivity

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science is offering a postdoctoral scholarship focusing on understanding global change impacts on essential elements in northern lakes and the potential threats that these impacts pose for plankton- and lake productivity. The scholarship is full-time for two years with access 1st of May 2025 or by agreement. Application deadline is 28th of February, 2025.

Our department is producing outstanding research on northern lake ecosystems and how these are impacted by global change. We offer excellent development opportunities for young scientists to specialize in this field.

Project description
The project relates to research on global change impacts on essential elements in northern lakes and the potential threats that these impacts pose for plankton and lake productivity. To answer this, we will take advantage of unique Fennoscandian and northeastern North American databases (e.g., long-term climate data, lake monitoring data, satellite remote sensing and geographic information data). The specific objectives are to identify thresholds in essential elements which if not reached result in reduced plankton and lake productivity. The post doc will have priority access to these databases but will also have the freedom to explore related questions using other database products and/or complementary field studies.

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow to join our research group. The successful candidate will collaborate with a research team that includes Ann-Kristin Bergström (Umeå University) and Irena Creed (University of Toronto, Canada), and other researchers linked to this project in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and US.

Qualifications
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree before that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD degree in an aquatic biogeochemistry discipline, including Physical Geography, Biology, Environmental Sciences, etc. Expertise in GIS analysis using long-term lake monitoring data, satellite remote sensing, and geographic information data is essential. We seek a creative and motivated individual, willing to collaborate and with good verbal and written communication skills in English. Experience using time-series analysis and machine learning techniques are strong merits.

Application
The application should be written in Swedish or English and attached documents should be in PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 28th of February, 2025.

• A cover letter describing your scientific background, interest in the above-mentioned research areas, potential project ideas and your suitability (max. 2 pages)
• A CV, including a list of your publications
• Copies of your doctoral thesis and other relevant publications (maximum 5)
• Copy of doctoral degree certificate or description when your doctoral degree is expected to be obtained
• Contact information for at least two reference persons
• Any other documents you wish to refer to

Further information
The postdoctoral fellow will be placed in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and will be advised by Professor Ann-Kristin Bergström (Umeå University) and Professor Irena Creed (Toronto University). The stipend which is financed by the Kempe foundation, is on 360,000 SEK/year (tax free), runs for two years, and is placed in Umeå.

Questions can be directed to Prof. Ann-Kristin Bergström at ann-kristin.bergstrom@umu.se
We look forward to receiving your application!