Associate senior lecturer in Biology. Research focus: Stream habitat modelling and environmental flows - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description
The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology has an opening for one fixed-term full-time employment for four years as Associate Senior Lecturer in Biology at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences. The initial three years will focus on research in the field of river ecology with focus on stream habitat modelling and environmental flows.

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 habitats and linkages, 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. The research for the first three years of this position focuses on stream habitat, one of the core interests of the research group, and includes collaboration with group members.

Duties
For the first three years the position will be approximately 80% research and 20% teaching. Teaching will include courses in the undergraduate and master programs in Biology. The main duty of the position is to conduct research on the effects of habitat degradation, restoration, and streamflow on stream fish populations with a focus on regulated rivers. The successful candidate will be expected to evaluate the effects of habitat and stream flow on fish distribution, growth and abundance employing advanced ecological modelling. The candidate will be the main researcher in the new project: “Advanced ecological modelling for prioritizing environmental flows and habitat restoration in regulated rivers”. The project is a collaboration between Karlstad University and key actors in river restoration including world-leading modeling consultants DHI Sweden AB, and hydropower companies Vattenfall AB Fortum AB, and Sydkraft AB.

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

• Conduct high-quality research and produce timely result
• Coordinate research projects
• Provide guidance to PhD and MSc students
• Disseminate results through scientific publication
• Assist in teaching duties
• Participate in the organization of scientific conferences and workshops

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

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

Assessment criteria
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate with experience in the fields of fish and river ecology, river rehabilitation, and advanced computer analyses. In the assessment procedure, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's scientific experience in fish ecology, river habitats and ecosystems. Knowledge of macrozoobenthos is an advantage. Special attention will be given to research skills, as demonstrated by the quality of the applicant’s PhD thesis, publications, funded research proposals, and other scientific merits. The applicant should have well documented abilities in experimental design and knowledge of statistical and modelling tools. Additionally, interpersonal skills facilitating rapid integration into the research group are important. Experience teaching Biology at the university level is also a merit.

Terms of employment
The position is a fixed-term full-time employment for four years. For the first three years, the position will include approximately 80% and 20% other duties at the university (e.g. teaching). The starting date is 1 September 2018 or by agreement.

Terms for appointment to Senior Lecturer
An Associate Senior Lecturer shall, upon application, be appointed as Senior Lecturer if the eligibility requirements are achieved (The Higher Education Ordinance Ch. 4 § 4). When the appointment for Senior Lecturer is applied for, the applicant should have passed the required training course of teaching at the university level. Permanent employment at Karlstad University normally requires good knowledge of both Swedish and English. The applicant should be expected to be able to teach in Swedish by the end of the 4-year appointment as Associate Senior Lecturer. For other terms see The Higher Education Ordinance Ch. 4.

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.

Application
The application should include well documented qualifications. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted no later than the application deadline.

Application should include

• Application letter
• List of qualifications including contact details of at least two references
• Account of teaching and research activities
• Certificate of completed course in higher education pedagogy or account of equivalent qualifications
• Brief account of experience of and cooperation with other organisations
• Brief account of leadership, cooperation and administration
• Future teaching and research plans
• Account of language skills in Swedish and English
• List of publications (if co-authored, specify your contribution)
• Copies of transcripts, degree certificates and relevant employment certificates
• Max ten research publications and max five works designed to convey information, e.g. text books, educational software or popular science articles.

More information on the application is available in ”Application guidelines for the appointment/ promotion of professor or senior lecturer and appointment of associate senior lecturer and postdoctoral research fellow” at www.kau.se under vacancies. ”Regulations for appointment and promotion of teaching staff” is also available there.

Three copies of submissions that cannot be sent electronically, such as books and publications, should be sent to

Karlstad University
Registrar
651 88 Karlstad, Sweden
State ref. no. REK2018/32.

Last day of application: 2018-03-31

We look forward to your application!

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