Postdoctoral Researcher in Freshwater Ecology and Climate Change

Department of Forest Ecology and Management

Project Description:

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, heatwaves, and storms. Small watercourses and their surrounding riparian zones are particularly vulnerable to these changes, not least in managed forests where watercourses are already affected by forestry. Buffer zones along watercourses constitute the primary forestry tool for reducing the impact of forestry on aquatic environments, but many buffer zones are insufficiently designed to maintain important ecological functions, especially in a changing climate. The project addresses three interconnected research questions: 1) How climate-driven extreme events affect watercourses and riparian zones in managed forests. 2) Which characteristics of riparian zones can best increase resilience and recovery capacity against such extreme events. 3) How scientific knowledge about riparian zones is translated into practical guidelines and policy instruments for climate adaptation within forestry.

This is a time-limited knowledge synthesis project that integrates scientific and applied knowledge regarding climate-adapted management of riparian zones, with a focus on boreal and hemiboreal forest ecosystems. The project compiles and evaluates scientific literature, forestry guidelines, policy documents, and/or available data to produce scientific publications and other project results.

About the job

The Postdoc will work within the project CLIMRIP (Climate-adapted riparian buffer management: a synthesis of boreal ecosystems and implications for practice), which is funded by Formas and led by project leader Associate Professor Lenka Kuglerová. The project group is interdisciplinary and includes expertise in hydrology, ecology, limnology, microclimate, and social science. The project also receives support from the SLU Library. Furthermore, the Postdoc will become part of the larger scientific network surrounding the Krycklan Catchment Study.

The Postdoc's main task is to compile and synthesize knowledge related to the project's three main research questions. The duties include, among other things:

• Plan and conduct systematic literature reviews, rapid evidence reviews, meta-analyses, and/or evidence mapping of scientific literature regarding the effects of climate change on boreal watercourses and riparian zones, as well as the design of climate-adapted riparian zones,
• Compile and analyze forestry guidelines and policy documents to evaluate how scientific knowledge about riparian zones is translated into practical forest management and policy,
• Lead the work of writing and publishing scientific articles based on the synthesis work and contribute to other project deliverables, such as reports,
• Collaborate with the project group to integrate results from different disciplines and contribute to practical recommendations for climate-adapted forestry,
• Present the project's results at project meetings and scientific conferences.

Your background

We are seeking an engaged and motivated postdoc with a strong natural science background, particularly in freshwater ecology or related fields. The applicant must hold a doctoral degree in natural science, for example ecology, physical geography, forest science, or equivalent, preferably with a focus on freshwater ecology, limnology, or similar subject areas. We are looking for a candidate with documented experience in leading scientific publication processes and who can demonstrate a good ability to publish scientific articles in English. Experience with literature reviews, meta-analyses, or other methods for knowledge synthesis is meritorious.

The following experiences are also meritorious:

• research in boreal ecosystems,
• research on the effects of climate change,
• knowledge of the management of riparian zones along watercourses,
• ability to read Swedish,
• experience of working in interdisciplinary research projects.

We place great emphasis on personal qualities. The applicant should be well-organized and structured, able to work independently and proactively, and possess good collaboration and communication skills.

The employment is intended for a junior researcher, and we are primarily seeking individuals who obtained their doctoral degree no more than three years ago. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

About us

The Postdoc will be employed at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) in Umeå. The department consists of approximately 115 people, of whom 9 are professors. Our mission is to work towards increased understanding of forest ecosystems and how forest ecosystems can best be managed today and in the future.

For more information about the department, see: http://www.slu.se/institutioner/skogens-ekologi-skotsel/

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Location:

Umeå

Form of employment:

Fixed-term employment for 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Extent:

100%

Start date:

January 1, 2027, or as agreed.

Application:

Welcome with your application via the application button below no later than 2026-09-28.

The application should include a CV including relevant publications (max 3 pages), a personal letter (max 1 page), and a research description where you outline your qualifications and how they fit the project (max 3 pages). A certificate of your doctoral degree must also be attached.

Union contact persons:

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) plays a key role in the development of sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main locations are Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational sites throughout the country. SLU has over 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students, and a turnover of over 4.5 billion SEK. The university invests in attractive environments on its campus areas. We work for an equitable and inclusive work environment where open dialogue between people with different experiences lays the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development.