Field Assistants For The Summer Season 2025

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments, we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics and combinations of these fields in order to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current positions are primarily field-based and located in the areas listed below but for some of the positions, the work may be fully or partially located in our offices and laboratories in Gothenburg.

We offer

The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means special benefits, more holidays and a great pension. You can read more about our employment benefits here.

The research groups EDGE lab (Ecological Dynamics at Geographic Extremes) and APE (Alpine and Polar Ecology) conduct project-based research related to Arctic ecology and ecosystem science with a focus on plant ecology and greenhouse gas emissions. The projects study the connections between global environmental changes and local changes in species communities, microclimate and greenhouse gas emissions. Data collection for the projects is largely carried out in the field and to some extent through laboratory experiments and analyses.

During the summer of 2025, there is a need for seasonal staff for both fieldwork, with some pre- and post-work at our premises in Gothenburg, and for laboratory work in Gothenburg. The scope and length of employment may vary depending on the tasks. The work will be carried out in the following areas:

Fieldwork

Fieldwork during the summer of 2025 will mainly take place at the Latnjajaure Field Station, which is reached by helicopter from Abisko. Field stays will last from a few weeks to 3 months, where the accommodation is of a simpler standard (small cabins shared by several people, no running water or sewage). Fieldwork tasks vary according to need but may include measurements of natural emissions of greenhouse gases, vegetation inventories, species identification (mainly vascular plants), weather observations, phenological measurements, soil and water sampling, pollination experiments, installation and maintenance of technical equipment and data processing. Part of the work involves following protocols sent out within the framework of ITEX (International Tundra Experiment). Longer stays outside mobile and fixed communication networks are to be expected. Work may also be carried out in other Arctic or alpine areas within and outside Scandinavia, such as Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska or Canada. Pre- and post-work will be carried out at the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Gothenburg and may include, fieldwork planning, reviewing and processing data, sample processing (sorting, sieving, weighing, etc.) and handling of collected seeds.

Laboratory work, Gothenburg

The laboratory work will take place at our premises in Natrium. Laboratory tasks vary but may include handling and analysis of stable (15N, 13C) and radioactive (14C, 33P) isotopes, gas chromatography, microbial analyses, incubation studies, carbon and nitrogen analyses, and water analyses. In addition, we are looking for staff to assist with a large experiment in our plant cultivation facility in Natrium, which includes caring for plants and performing measurements during the experiment.

Applicants can specify the area of ​​work and their desire for field or laboratory work in the application, but the assignment of tasks and length of stay will be determined in a dialogue between the applicant and the hiring personnel. The hired persons may be used in one or several of the above- mentioned locations and work areas.

The required qualifications depend on the work area and group composition, which means that the applicant needs to have one or more of the following qualifications:

The following qualifications are advantageous but not required:

Personal skills:

The work requires people with great accuracy, independence and initiative. Successful applicants should also have good teamwork skills, a problem-solving attitude and the ability to work outdoors even during tough weather conditions. We will put great emphasis on personal suitability. Good ability to communicate orally and in writing in English is also a requirement as we work in an international environment.

The application should preferably be written in English and must include:

The most qualified candidates, in relation to the assessment criteria in the advertisement, are invited for an interview.

Temporary employment for seasonal work during the period 2025-05-01 to 2025-09-30. The exact scope and period for the position may vary and will be defined in dialogue between the applicant and hiring staff. The job title is research assistant and placement until further notice at the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, starting in May 2025 or as agreed.

Anne Bjorkman, Senior Lecturer Phone: +46 766 182547 Email: [email protected] Webpage: www. edge-ecology.com

Mats Björkman, universitetslektor Phone: +46 786 181820 Email: [email protected] Webpage: https: // www. gu.se/om-universitetet/hitta-person/matsbjorkman

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department Phone: +46 31 786 26 25 Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR at the Deprtment of Biological and Environmental Sciences, [email protected]

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https: // www. gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

Applications must be received by: February 13th, 2025

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.