Postdoctoral Scholarship (2 years): Global Change Impacts on Northern Lakes

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Umeå University is seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the impacts of global change on northern lake ecosystems, with a focus on threats to lake productivity. The scholarship is for two years starting in July 2025 or according to agreement. Last application date is April 30, 2025. We look forward to your application!

About the Department
Our department conducts world-leading research on northern lake ecosystems and how they are affected by global change. We offer an excellent scientific environment and outstanding opportunities for early-career researchers to develop and specialize in this important field.

Project Overview
This project will explore how global change influences lake food webs and productivity across northern regions. The research will leverage unique, long-term datasets from Fennoscandian lakes—including climate data, water chemistry, biotic indicators, and satellite remote sensing.

The main goal is to identify critical ecological thresholds that, when not met, signal ecosystem vulnerability and productivity declines. The postdoc will have prioritized access to these datasets and the freedom to develop related research questions in collaboration with the research team. A detailed research plan will be co-developed together during the recruitment process.

You will join a vibrant international team including Prof. Ann-Kristin Bergström (Umeå University), Prof. Irena Creed (University of Toronto, Canada), and other partners in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the United States.

Qualifications
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree in an aquatic biogeochemistry discipline, including Physical Geography, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or similar. This qualification requirements 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 prior to 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, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Required skills:

• Strong background in aquatic ecosystem science
• Proficiency in GIS and analysis of long-term environmental data
• Experience with satellite remote sensing and geographic data
• Excellent English communication skills (spoken and written)

Highly desirable skills:

• Experience in GIS, remote sensing, statistical analysis and statistical learning

We seek a creative, independent, and collaborative researcher with enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

Application Instructions
Submit your application, written in Swedish or English through Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi by 30th April 2025. All documents must be in PDF format.

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (max 2 pages) describing your scientific background, research interests, project ideas, and suitability
• Curriculum Vitae, including a publication list
• Up to 5 relevant publications, including your PhD thesis
• Degree certificate or documentation on expected PhD completion
• Contact information for two academic references
• Any other supporting documents

Further Information
The scholarship holder will be based at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University. The scholarship is funded by the Kempe Foundation and is on 360,000 SEK/year (tax free). The postdoctoral fellow will be advised by Prof. Ann-Kristin Bergström and Prof. Irena Creed.

Contact:
Prof. Ann-Kristin Bergström
Email: ann-kristin.bergstrom@umu.se