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Postdoctor in Tropical Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Trait Based Tree Species Selection
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 position is placed at Natrium.
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.
Subject area
Tropical Forest Socio-Ecology
Subject area description
The research focuses on advancing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service assessment to support selection of native tree species for climate-adapted forest restoration and agroforestry within the Albertine Rift region in Africa. The postdoctor will integrate ecological, climatic and social factors to evaluate species’ adaptability, environmental benefits, and the ecosystem service provisioning. The role bridges ecological science, and participatory approaches to develop evidence-based, purpose-driven native tree species selection frameworks that enhance landscape resilience, human well-being, and long-term forest restoration success.
Duties
The aim of this postdoctoral position is to advance the scientific and applied foundations for selecting climate-adapted native tree species that enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services, and community well-being within the Albertine Rift. The postdoctor will lead key components within the project ‘Optimization of Tree Species Selection for Improved Ecosystem Services in Tropical Forest Restoration and Agroforestry’ funded by the Swedish research council Formas. This will include synthesizing biodiversity, ecosystem service, and environmental suitability data to support climate-adapted species recommendations.
Tasks include conducting a systematic literature review, collecting data from diverse forest restorations, tree plantations and agroforestry systems to provide background information for tree species selection supporting different ecosystem services and ground-based data to validate and improve remote sensing assessments of plantation success. In addition, the postdoctor will analyse ecological, trait-based, and environmental datasets to establish species–environment relationships and assess tree species sensitivity to climate stressors using both global databases and experimental data from different sites including those within the Rwanda TREE project (https://www.rwandatree.com).
The postdoctor will have close collaboration with the complementary project OpTIBES (https://www.biodiversa.eu/2026/04/03/optibes/) and its partners—spanning universities in Sweden, Norway and Denmark as well as universities, government agencies, and NGOs in Rwanda, Burundi, and the DR Congo. The postdoctor will contribute to scientific publications, reporting, and dissemination activities, supporting the translation of results into actionable restoration and agroforestry recommendations.
The position is embedded in an interdisciplinary, international research environment spanning ecology, remote sensing, socio-ecological systems, and climate adaptation. The postdoctor will work within a dynamic team committed to collaborative science, with opportunities to engage closely with African partner institutions, restoration practitioners, and local communities. The working environment supports independent initiative, cross-disciplinary integration, and the translation of scientific insights into actionable guidance for sustainable forest landscape restoration.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to co-supervise MSc, and BSc students. A teaching agreement with the department may be negotiated based on teaching needs and suitability, for up to 20% of a full-time position, which could extend the duration of employment.
The postdoctor will be hosted at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences under the main supervision of Prof. Göran Wallin in collaboration with Prof Johan Uddling, Ass Prof. Aida Cuni-Sanchez (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) and Martin Brandt (University of Copenhagen). The project is associated with the strategic research area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate; http://www.becc.lu.se/) and the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Center (GGBC) (https://www.gu.se/en/ggbc-global-biodiversity).
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
Required qualifications for the employment:
- To be eligible for appointment as a postdoctor, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree in Plant Ecology, Forest Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Agroforestry, Conservation Biology, or a closely related field.
- Excellent communication skills, written and spoken English, including proven ability to write scientific publications and present research clearly.
- Analytical skills in handling biological and socio-ecological data
- Experience in field-based ecological or forestry research, preferably in tropical or sub-tropical environments.
- Willingness to conduct Socio-Ecological field work in tropical Africa, mostly Rwanda.
Desirable qualifications for the employment:
- A strong track record of scientific publications related to Tropical Forest Ecology, Tropical Tree Ecophysiology, Tropical Tree mortality and /or Forest Ecosystem Services.
- Background in restoration ecology, agroforestry systems, or forest management planning.
- Experience in biodiversity assessment and/or ecosystem service evaluation, ideally in tropical or restoration contexts.
- Experience of field work in the tropics, preferably in East or Central Africa, or in culturally diverse, interdisciplinary research settings.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, or NGOs.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international, multi-partner research team.
- Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis using R
- Experience in teaching and mentoring students
- Familiarity with participatory research methods (e.g., interviews, focus-group discussions, workshops, co-design with stakeholders).
- Speaking French is considered an asset but not required.
- Experience in science outreach is valuable
The application should be written in English and must include:
- A 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 page)
- A list of qualifications (CV)
- Certificate of PhD exam
- Complete list of publications, including submitted and accepted manuscripts
The most qualified candidates, in relation to the assessment criteria in the advertisement, are invited for an interview.
Employment
The employment is a temporary employment for two years*, 100 % of full time, placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Starting date September 15th, 2026, or upon agreement.
*Employment may be extended if necessary to achieve the purpose of the employment, but the total period of employment may not exceed three years.
Contact information
If you have any questions about the position, please contact:
Göran Wallin, Professor
Phone: +46 (0)705-821155
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/goranwallin
Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
tel. +46 31 786 26 25
Email: [email protected]
If you have any questions about the employment process, please contact HR at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, [email protected]
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.
Göteborgs universitet | Postdoctor in Tropical Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Trait Based Tree Species Selection
Publications that cannot be attached to the application in digital format should be mailed in single copy to:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Att: Göran Wallin
University of Gothenburg
Box 463
S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Label the envelope " Postdoctoral Position in Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Stakeholder-Driven Species Selection, PAR 2026/510". The publications must be received no later than the application deadline.
Applications must be received by: July 2nd, 2026
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.
