Karlstads universitet / Fakulteten för hälsa, natur- och teknikvetenskap / Institutionen för miljö- och livsvetenskaper

Sapere Aude—dare to be wise—is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and expertise that enrich both people and the world around them. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and perseverance. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. We are located in an active and scenic region and we promote sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider society.
 
Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 19,000 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika.
 
More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Description
The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology has an opening for one full-time post-doctoral research fellow at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences in the field of river ecology with focus on the rehabilitation efficiencies of dam removal and fish-friendly turbines.

The River Ecology and Management Research Group (NRRV), a research group within the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences at Karlstad University, conducts both basic and applied research in rivers, lakes and the surrounding landscape. The group is interested in the sustainable use of natural resources in watersheds, working for solutions to environmental problems that benefit both society and nature. Areas of research addressed by the research group include river connectivity and the effects of hydropower, aquatic-terrestrial interactions, winter ecology under global climate change, endangered species, conservation biology, and social-ecological research relating to river regulation and fisheries (https://www5.kau.se/en/river-ecology ; http://www.nrrv.se). Many research topics are conducted in collaboration with stakeholders from industry, administrative agencies, interest organizations and landowners as well as with the group’s extensive international research network. The group was recently selected as a ‘Strong Research Environment’ by Karlstad University, and has received directed funding to further develop its research profile. This post-doctoral position is part of the strategy to develop the group, focusing on one of the core interests of the research group, and includes collaboration with group members.

Duties
The main duty of the position is to conduct research on the effects of dam removal and the installation of fish-friendly turbines on river connectivity and ecology. Intact river connectivity is essential for many organisms in running water, and especially so for organisms that move between different habitats to complete their life cycle, such as many migratory fish species. Many rivers are modified by dams such as hydroelectric power plants. Dams disconnect river stretches and habitats, thereby reducing dispersal and migration possibilities for fish, benthos and plants, with negative effects on individuals, populations and communities. The post-doctoral candidate will be expected to evaluate the effects of complete dam removal and installation of fish-friendly turbines as measures to improve connectivity in rivers.

The project “Expanding the river rehabilitation toolbox: dam removal and fish-friendly turbines” is a joint initiative between NRRV (Karlstad University), the hydropower companies Sydkraft Hydropower AB and Power House AB, and the recreational fisheries company Sveaskog AB, and is funded by the Knowledge Foundation /KK-stiftelsen (http://www.kks.se/om/SitePages/In English.aspx). The project will be carried out in the river Mörrumsån (Blekinge County, Sweden), where a hydroelectric power dam will be removed, and in the river Emån (Kalmar County, Sweden), where a fish-friendly turbine will be installed.

Investigations will be based on empirical work in the field and the laboratory, using a before-and-after-approach to evaluate effects of remedial measures on fish behaviour and community composition, composition and diversity of benthos and riparian vegetation, as well as changes in habitat characteristics. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to complement the project with data from other dam removal sites in Sweden. 

The successful candidate will join a strong and motivated research team to carry out the following tasks:

  • Conducting high quality research and producing results
  • Coordinating research projects and delivering outputs
  • Providing guidance to PhD and MSc students
  • Disseminating results through scientific publication
  • Assisting in teaching duties
  • Participate in the organization of scientific conferences and workshops

Requirements
To be eligible for the position, applicants are required to hold a PhD in ecology or related fields. The candidate must have completed the degree no more than three years before the last date for applications unless special grounds exist. 

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

Assesments grounds
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate with experience in the fields of fish and river ecology as well as river rehabilitation. In the assessment procedure, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's scientific experience in fish ecology and telemetry, and river habitats and ecosystems. Interest and knowledge of macrozoobenthos and plants are an advantage. Special attention will be given to research skills, as demonstrated by the quality of the applicant’s PhD thesis and other scientific merits. The applicant should have well documented abilities in experimental design and knowledge of statistical and modelling tools (such as R). Additionally, interpersonal skills facilitating rapid integration of the postdoctoral research fellow into the research group are important.

Karlstad University values personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate and establish good relations with colleagues, as well as the ability to work independently and to take initiatives. Karlstad University is an equal opportunity employer.

Terms
The position is a full-time employment for 12 months with possibility of 12 months prolongation, with a minimum of 80% for research, and a maximum of 20% for other duties at the university (e.g. teaching). The starting date is May 1, 2017.

The application should include

  • Personal letter describing the applicant and her/his research interests in relation to the announced position
  • CV with verified copies of degrees, certificates, etc.
  • List of completed courses with grades and dates
  • Copy of degree projects and other relevant publications or a link to elecronic versions
  • Any other documents submitted for consideration
  • Reference contact information (at least two) or letter of reference

Application should be submitted electronically via Karlstad University´s web-based recruitment tool MyNetwork with uploaded attachments.

Documents that cannot be sent electronically, should be sent to

Karlstads universitet, Registrator, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden, state ref.no REK2017/11.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Salary Salary set on an individual basis
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2017/11
Contact
  • Liselotte Englund, Head of Department, +46 (0) 54 700 1988
  • Olle Calles, Associate Professor, +46 (0) 54 700 1454
Union representative
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, +46 (0) 54 700 1714
  • Tony Ingemarsson, OFR , +46 (0) 54 700 1404
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, +46 (0) 54 700 1434
Published 24.Jan.2017
Last application date 28.Feb.2017 11:59 PM CET

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