Postdoctoral position in Biology, Focus on interactions between mussels and host fishes

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology has an opening for one to two full-time postdoctoral position(s) in Biology at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences in the fields of Aquatic Ecology, with a focus on host-parasite interactions between threatened freshwater mussels and their host fishes.

You are expected to conduct research in close collaboration with other researchers in the River Ecology and Management Research Group (RivEM), at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences at Karlstad University. RivEM conducts both basic and applied research, focusing on river, streams, lakes and their surroundings. The group is interested in sustainable use of natural resources in catchment areas, and are dedicated to find solutions for environmental problems with benefits for both society and the environment. RivEM are involved in research areas such as the effects of hydropower production on river connectivity, aquatic and terrestrial habitats and their interconnections, winter ecology in relation to climate change, endangered species such as the European eel and freshwater mussels, conservation biology and socio-ecological research connected to river regulation and sport fishing. Many research projects are carried out in collaboration with industry, government agencies, NGOs and landowners. For more information, refer to: http://www.kau.se/en/biology and http://www.nrrv.se.

Duties

The global loss of biodiversity has severely affected ecosystem structure and function in aquatic environments. One highly threatened group of organisms that used to be common in streams and rivers is the unionid mussels. These filter-feeding mussels can have strong effects on ecosystem function and biodiversity. It is of concern to re-establish or strengthen mussel populations in streams where they used to thrive. Unionid mussels have an obligatory parasitic life stage on one or more host fish species. For effective conservation and restoration measures, functional host fish species must be identified and conserved to support the mussel populations.

The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) and the thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) are decreasing in abundance throughout their distribution. The freshwater pearl mussel is a gill parasite on brown trout (Salmo trutta) and/or Atlantic salmon (S. salar), while the thick-shelled river mussel has many different host fish species.

The successful candidate will study host-parasite ecology and reintroduction ecology of the freshwater pearl mussel and the thick-shelled river mussel and their host fishes, both in the field and in controlled experiments at our state-of-the-art stream laboratory at Karlstad University. The research questions will be focused on the host function and suitability of different fish species as hosts to the mussels, with the aim to support management decisions aiming at restoring threatened mussel populations and their host fish species. The specific research questions to be addressed will be decided in consultation with the candidate.

The applicant is expected to be active at the university and participate in the research environment.

Requirements

To be eligible for the position, applicants are required to hold a PhD (or to be completed before the decision about the employment is taken) 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.

Older PhD degrees can be taken into account when there are special reasons, such as sick leave, parental leave, clinical service, positions of trust within unions or other similar circumstances.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

Assessment criteria

We are searching for a highly motivated candidate with experience in aquatic ecology.

In the selection process, special weight will be given to the applicant's research skills, as demonstrated by the quality of the applicant’s PhD thesis, published scientific articles and other scientific merits.

Special weight will be given to:

• research skills on studies on the host-parasite interactions between mussels and host fishes, as demonstrated by the quality of the applicant’s PhD thesis, published scientific articles and other scientific merits

Considerable weight will be given to:

• expertise in freshwater mussel and fish ecology
• ability to cooperate and establish good relations with colleagues
• ability to work independently and to take initiatives

Weight will be given to:

• abilities to conduct field and lab work
• experience of collaborating with stakeholders and communicating research

Valuable qualifications:

• having a valid driver’s license (B)
• experience of working practically with fish and hydropower

Terms

The position is a full-time employment for 24 months, starting on 1st of August, 2025, or by agreement between the applicant and the employer. An extension of one year is possible depending upon funding availability.

Additional information

Karlstad University places great value on the enriching presence of diverse backgrounds and gender balance in the organisation. We welcome applicants with different cultural backgrounds, gender identities, functional abilities, and life experiences.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position,
• CV
• abstract of the PhD dissertation
• publication list, including pdf copies of peer-reviewed scientific articles (max 10)
• where applicable, copies of relevant grades, diplomas, certificates that prove previous employment and letters of recommendation
• two references

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not provide links only). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-avdelningen

HR-administratör
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 2025-04-09

State the reference number: REK 2025/54

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.