Associate Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor position in Molecular Microbiology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The Department of Biology conducts research and teaching in many subject areas such as ecology, evolutionary biology, organismal biology and molecular biology. A total of approximately 300 people currently work at the department, of which around 70 are doctoral students. The Biological Museums house one of the world’s largest university collections of plants and animals. The Department of Biology has a very well-developed infrastructure that includes several molecular biology laboratories. We offer several bachelor’s and master’s programs for both Swedish and international students. Read more at https://www.biology.lu.se/.

Find more reasons why Lund University and the Faculty of Science are right for you here and here, and learn more about what it’s like to Work in Lund, Move to Lund and Live in Lund.

Type of employment: Fixed-term position, 6 years, in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with the opportunity for promotion to senior lecturer.

Job description
Employment as an associate senior lecturer is a career-development position which aims to develop the holder’s independence as a researcher and educator.

The Faculty of Science offers a career programme for associate senior lecturers.

In order to support the formation of a research team, resources corresponding to at least one doctoral studentship will be linked to the appointment.

The duties for this position include research and teaching in molecular biology and microbiology with a focus on prokaryotes.

The appointee is expected to establish an active and independent research line of high international standard in molecular microbiology. The research should have a clear focus on elucidating molecular, cellular and/or evolutionary mechanisms using prokaryotic genetic model systems. Special emphasis is placed on utilizing these model systems to address fundamental scientific questions and/or problems of technological relevance. The research approach is expected to have a significant experimental element. It is positive if the research complements and connects to the research currently being conducted at the division, and if the applicant benefits from and can strengthen existing infrastructure and expertise within the division and the department. Duties include active work in seeking external funding for research activities at the department, and in developing cooperation with other groups within the university as well as with government agencies and organizations working on similar issues.

The appointee shall also teach, examine, and supervise students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The duties also include education and supervision at the doctoral level in the subject area. The employment includes teaching corresponding to 10-30% of a full-time position, calculated over the entire employment period. In addition to this, administrative and organizational tasks at the departmental and faculty level may also occur. The content of the duties, as well as the distribution between research and teaching, may change over time.

Qualification requirements
A person is qualified for appointment as an associate senior lecturer if they have been awarded a PhD or have the corresponding research expertise. Primary consideration should be given to candidates who have been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an associate senior lecturer. A person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds.

Specifically for this position, the applicant is required to have completed a doctoral degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or a related field.

Teaching staff at Lund University are required to be suitable for the position and to have the general ability to fulfil their work duties well.

Assessment criteria
Good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research and possess teaching skills.  The main assessment criteria are research and teaching expertise, with greater emphasis placed on research expertise. Applicants must present their current research and a research plan for the coming years. It must be clear how this is related to the description of the position and to current research at the department.

Requirements for the position:

• The research focus must be of a basic scientific nature with a focus on molecular biological mechanisms, regarding prokaryotic microorganisms.
• Demonstrated scientific expertise in molecular microbiology of prokaryotes.
• Strong research credentials with regard to the quality and quantity of scientific publications.
• The research plan must demonstrate an independent research profile and good potential to obtain external funding in national and international competition.
• Good pedagogical ability
• Relevant post-doc experience in a research environment other than the university where the applicant received his/her doctorate.
• Very good knowledge of English with good communication skills.

Merits for the position:

• Demonstrated ability to seek and obtain funding for research from external funders.
• Documented experience in teaching, including the development and implementation of courses and course elements, as well as higher education pedagogical training.
• Interest in and experience in pedagogical development.
• Experience in supervising thesis and doctoral students.
• A broad international network.
• Experience in academic leadership.
• Cooperation with wider society (e.g. science communication, collaboration with government or industry, etc.).

The appointment will also take into account how the applicant can strengthen and develop the department’s research and teaching within the subject area.

Great importance is attached to the demonstrated ability to be proactive, creative, open and cooperative. It is also important to be communicative and independent, and responsive to the needs of the organization.

When appointing teaching staff, Lund University’s Appointment Rules apply, in addition to the provisions set out in the Higher Education Ordinance.

We expect non-Swedish speaking staff members to acquire sufficient knowledge of Swedish to be able to teach and communicate with the different bodies of the University in this language within three years.

What we offer 
Lund University is a public authority which means that you receive special benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension.
Read more on the University website about working with us.

Design and content of the application 
We recommend you write your application in English, as it may be reviewed by international external experts. The application is to be completed according to the Faculty of Science’s application instructions for teaching positions. Upload the application to the recruitment system as PDF files.

Please note that it is very important to follow the application instructions. An incomplete application will not be considered.

Promotion
To be promoted from Associate Senior Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, language level B1* in Swedish must be achieved.
*Common European Framework of Reference for Language, CEFR

An associate senior lecturer is, on application, to be promoted to senior lecturer employed for an indefinite period if they have the required qualifications and are deemed to be suitable with reference to the assessment criteria established by the Faculty of Science when applying for promotion. An associate senior lecturer can only apply for promotion once.

Assessment criteria for promotion to a permanent position as senior lecturer:

1. Good national and international standing as a researcher
   The applicant conducts research of high quality that garners attention nationally and internationally.
   The applicant conducts research with a clear, independent profile.
2. Good teaching ability
   The applicant has good knowledge of the subject and can apply these in practice when teaching.
   The applicant has good teaching skills and demonstrates an ability to develop their teaching within the subject area.
   The applicant has a reflective approach to teaching and learning.
   The applicant has five weeks’ training in teaching and learning in higher education, or the equivalent.
3. Ability to participate in the supervision of doctoral students
   The applicant has documented experience and the ability to supervise doctoral students.
   The applicant has a reflective approach to the supervision of doctoral students.
   The applicant has at least two weeks´ training in supervision, or the equivalent.
4. Ability to engage with wider society and communicate their activities
   The applicant has documented experience and the ability to engage with wider society and communicate their activities.
5. General ability to lead and develop activities
   The applicant has documented experience of and ability in academic leadership.

Within the Faculty of Science research and education is conducted within Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Geosciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Environmental Sciences. The Faculty of Science is organized into eight departments, gathered in the northern campus area in Lund. The Faculty of Science has approximately 1900 students, 330 PhD students and 730 employees.