Reference number PAR 2025/566
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The Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, (https://www.gu.se/en/marina-vetenskaper
The Department of Marine Sciences conducts research, education, and innovation related to the science of the ocean and its resources. Its activities are based in Gothenburg, at two research stations (Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, and Tjärnö Marine Laboratory), and on the research vessel Skagerak. The Department has an interdisciplinary scope that encompasses marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, preservation of marine cultural heritage, and oceanography, working in all marine habitats from shallow bays and coastal seas to the open oceans. Our scientists and students often play leading roles in international collaborative research, including expeditions to Polar regions and the great seas of the world, as well as in our newly built laboratories with advanced equipment and complex analytical techniques. The Department also offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, a Bachelor’s degree, three Master’s degrees, and a Ph. D. programme, all within marine sciences.
Subject area
Biogeochemistry Â
Subject area description
This postdoctoral researcher position is part of the ERC Synergy project RECLESS (Recycling versus loss in the marine nitrogen cycle: controls, feedbacks, and the impact of expanding low oxygen regions). RECLESS aims to predict how ongoing ocean deoxygenation impacts microbial nitrogen transformations and thereby the future availability of nitrogen to support oceanic primary production and carbon sequestration. The project brings together researchers from the Universities of Gothenburg, Vienna and Southern Denmark as well as Carnegie Science, and synergistically integrates innovative oceanographic, biogeochemical, ecophysiological, and model-based approaches.
The position will contribute to our ongoing efforts to unravel the pathways, dynamics, and environmental controls of microbial nitrogen transformations in oxygen depleted waters. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to utilize novel instrumentation for oxygen-contamination-free sampling and incubation (in situ technology), and state of the art stable and / or radiotracer isotope techniques. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and international team, with interdisciplinary collaborations and opportunities for fieldwork.
Duties
The successful candidate will contribute to expanding our understanding of microbial processes in oxygen depleted waters; specifically, the postdoctoral researcher will:
- Participate in fieldwork campaigns (at research stations and seagoing expeditions; including but not limited to the eastern tropical Pacific and Baltic), undertaking sampling, lab-based and in situ incubations
- Elucidate pathways and environmental controls of microbial processes involved in carbon and nitrogen cycles, determined from in situ and lab-based rates through the use of stable and radiotracer isotopes
- Utilize novel instrumentation for in situ incubations and oxygen determinations
- Work in collaboration with other members of RECLESS on interdisciplinary projects
- Publish and present their work in internationally recognized journals and conferences.
- Contribute to teaching in the BSc program and mentoring of BSc, MSc and PhD 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 microbial ecology, biogeochemistry or related discipline, with an aptitude for fieldwork. 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: radiotracer or stable isotope rate measurements, natural abundance isotopes, mass spectrometry, method development. Ability to work independently and as a part of a team as well as excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) are essential for the position.
- PhD in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry or a related discipline
- Background in elemental cycling within aquatic systems
- Experience working with stable / radioisotopes and mass spectrometry techniques (e.g. GC-MS) is highly desirable.
- Prior work in low oxygen aquatic settings is considered an asset.
- Involvement in planning and conducting fieldwork will be seen as advantageous.
- 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, with the possibility to extend for a third, 100% of full time and placed at the Department of Marine Science in Gothenburg. Starting date is upon agreement but favorably early 2026.
Contact information
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Laura Bristow (laura.bristow@gu.se)
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Sofie Emanuelsson (sofie.emanuelsson@gu.se)
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande
Application
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.
The application should be in english and include
- Cover letter explaining the applicants’ experiences, career motivation and merits in relation to the position (1 page)
- CV, including information on previous employment / research experience, and full list of publications and conference presentations
- PDF of at least one (maximum three) scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely
- Contact information of two references (name, contact information and relation).
- Optional: Description and certificates of any other relevant merits that you wish to refer to.
Applications must be received by: 22nd August 2025
Information for International Applicants
Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
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.
