Postdoctoral Researcher position in marine biodiversity

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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.

General information

The Department of Marine Science (https://www.gu.se/marina-vetenskaper) at the University of Gothenburg has with its broad scientific competence area and its unique infrastructure the most complete environment for marine science and marine education in Sweden. Only a few similar organizations exist in Europe. Through advanced research infrastructure and the clear connection to society’s needs and challenges, the department contributes to new solutions for the global challenges surrounding the ocean.

The Department of Marine Science conducts science, education and innovation related to the sea and its resources. The operation is conducted in Gothenburg, at the research station Kristineberg Center for Marine Science and Innovation and Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, as well as on the research vessel Skagerak. The department has an interdisciplinary width that includes marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, marine conservation and oceanography, and the research area spans geographically from coast to world ocean. Our scientists and students often have prominent roles in international collaborations and expeditions, from Antarctica, the Arctic, and the great world seas, but also work in our newly built laboratories with advanced equipment and complex analytical methods. The department also has a broad education palette, including a bachelor’s program, three master´s programs and a Ph. D. education in the marine domain.  

Marine biology

Subject area description

This postdoctoral researcher position is part of the project“Measuring what matters” financed by The Swedish government research council for sustainable development, FORMAS. The project runs for five years and is a collaboration between academic (Uppsala university and Umeå university) and public agencies (County Administrative Board of Gotland and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrographical Institute, SMHI).

The project aspires to cover major gaps in marine knowledge by leveraging modern monitoring methods into environmental monitoring programs and produce integrated data sets and indicators for ecosystem status assessments. Gothenburg university is responsible for the identification of relevant biological variables through a co-creation process with County Administrative Boards and national environmental agencies. These collaborations shall lead to the development of genetic indicators for ecosystem health assessments as well as underlying monitoring methods. This work also includes the development of FAIR data flows into biodiversity data infrastructures to ensure long-term accessibility as well as advanced processing, analysis, and modelling of genetic monitoring data.

Duties 

The successful candidate will work on the interface between public authorities, academic institutes, and research infrastructure (including data infrastructure). The postdoctoral researcher will

• Conduct field work to test and improve genetic monitoring protocols
• Conduct laboratory work following molecular genetic protocols for e.g., metabarcoding, population genetics/genomics, quantitative PCR assays, and phylogeography
• Test and improve bioinformatic workflows translating genetic data into ecological knowledge
• Develop variables and models for genetic health status assessments in marine ecosystems
• Write scientific articles and present results at conferences
• Supervise students 

Eligibility   

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious candidate with a PhD in biology, marine science, or related discipline, with an aptitude for field work and data science.

Experience in some or all of the following will be seen as highly beneficial, in addition to a willingness to learn new techniques and procedures

• Solid background in marine biology, including knowledge in taxonomy and marine ecology of the region
• Experience in marine field work, especially in the coastal zone
• Experience in molecular genetics/genomics including laboratory work
• Bioinformatics skills, especially using R and/or python
• Experience in ecological modelling
• Experience in processing and management of big data, including work with computational workflows
• Experience in machine learning, artificial intelligence, or data science
• Experience in collaborating with public authorities and industry
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, demonstrated through publications, presentations, or prior collaborations

Employment 

The employment is a fixed-term employment for 2 years at the Department of Marine Science in Gothenburg. Starting date is upon agreement but favorably before the end of 2026.

Selection process

The highest ranked applicants will be invited to an interview within five weeks from the application deadline.

Contact information for the post 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Matthias Obst (matthias.obst@marine.gu.se, Tel: 076-618 3827)

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Helen Tholander (helen.tholander@gu.se)

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Application 

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: 2026-10-05 

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.