Postdoctoral Position in Biological Sciences

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.

Doctoral position in plant ecophysiology

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 to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.
The department is placed at Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg 
General information about being a doctoral student  student https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

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.

Project description
The PhD project is in the field of plant ecophysiology. Its main aim is to quantify the among-species variation in stem respiration in a variety of temperate and boreal tree species. The key research goals include: Determining the magnitude and the underlying causes for the among-species variation in stem respiration in trees exposed to the same growing conditions, and Improving the understanding of climate change impacts on stem respiration on longer-time scales. The project will include field measurements in the arboretum of the Gothenburg Botanical Garden and laboratory-based measurements in the state-of-the-art phytotron facilities at the host department, which will be used to determine the effects of changing growing conditions, such as temperature and water availability, on stem respiration rates. Existing stem respiration models will be parameterized to translate the experimental results to larger spatial and temporal scales. 

The student will be hosted at the Dep. of Biological and Environmental Sciences with Dr. Lasse Tarvainen. The project will be carried out in collaboration with other researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the University of Rwanda (stem respiration of tropical trees will be addressed in a parallel project). The research group collaborates actively with scientists working on plant ecophysiology and ecological modelling in Sweden and abroad.

The project is linked to the strategic research area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate; http://www.becc.lu.se/), which also hosts a research school that will be open for the recruited PhD student: ClimBEco (https://www.cec.lu.se/climbeco). Some domestic and international travel for PhD courses and scientific conferences should be expected.

Duties
The main task is to conduct the PhD thesis work under supervision, which includes development of the PhD student’s methodological experience, analytical skills, as well as theoretical depth and breadth. Techniques used within the project include a broad selection of methods within plant ecophysiology including measurements of stem gas exchange physiology, sap flow and tissue isotopic signatures as well as abiotic factors such as air temperature and soil moisture. The studies will be conducted both as field and laboratory studies.

Specific research topics associated with the research project include:

• Among-species variation in stem respiration rate in tree species from the temperate and boreal biomes and the causes behind this variation
• Responses of stem respiration to climate change factors such as temperature and water availability
• Impact of climate change on stem respiration on longer time scales

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.  

Eligibility
Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject. 
The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:
1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or 
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must:
1. have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or
2. have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or
3. have completed a corresponding programme of relevance to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant subjects for the planned third-cycle education are biological, agricultural, forest, or environmental sciences, including courses in plant biology (physiology/ecology/ecophysiology).

Assessment criteria
The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to succeed in the doctoral studies.  

It is a requirement that the applicants have:

• Knowledge in plant biology including ecophysiology, ecology, physiology, or equivalent
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and statistics

Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are necessary since we work in an international environment.

Other desirable qualifications are:

• Knowledge in plant ecophysiology (= physiological ecology or functional ecology)
• Knowledge in physiological processes contributing to the stem carbon budget and methods for measuring them
• Experience of field work
• Experience of working in a team as well as conducting independent research
• Experience of scientific publication
• Good problem-solving skills
• Driving license

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

• A short cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria (no more than one A4 page)
• An attested list of qualifications (CV)
• Examination certificates and a transcript of courses with grades
• A copy of the Master thesis (or equivalent)
• Employments certificates and other documents deemed important by the applicant

The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview, which might be held in English and could also be performed digitally.

Admission and employment 
Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.   

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. 

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.   

Placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, extent 100%, first day of employment 2025-12-01, or by agreement. The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at Dep. of Biological and Environmental Sciences require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, Dep. of Biological and Environmental Sciences has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

For futher information please Contact
Lasse Tarvainen, Senior lecturer
Phone: +46 766 18 48 14
Email: lasse.tarvainen@bioenv.gu.se
Webpage: Department webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/biological-environmental-sciences  
Group webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/biological-environmental-sciences/our-research/plant-ecology-physiology-environmental-science https://www.gu.se/en/biological-environmental-sciences/our-research/plant-ecology-physiology-environmental-science

Publications: https://scholar.google.se/citations?hl=sv&user=k_CqBCoAAAAJ

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
tel. +46 31 786 26 25
Email: asa.arrhenius@bioenv.gu.se

If you have any questions about the employment process, please contact HR at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, hr@bioenv.gu.se 

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

Application
You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

Applications must be received by: 2025-08-31

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.