Post doc Mapping aquatic resources in a changing climate

Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua)
We have an exciting position for an early career researcher with expertise in spatial statistical modelling, to contribute to our research on aquatic resources, nutrition and climate change.

About the position
This is a post doc position on modelling potential effects on marine resources from projected changes in climate in two contrasting regions, the Global South and the Global North. Study areas in the Global South are Tanzania, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, where focus is on changes in nutrition availability from marine food sources. The study area in the Global North is the Baltic Sea in northern Europe, where the focus is on changes in the distribution of marine resources and marine protected areas. The position is funded by two projects, one within a special call on climate and resilience by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and one by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research program.

In both projects, the successful candidate will combine spatial information on species distributions, fisheries effort and catches using data from open-source platforms and fish survey data collected within other related projects. For the project in the Global South data on nutrient composition will also be included to create predictive maps in support of nutrition sensitive fisheries management and planning. To produce these maps, the post doc will make spatial predictions based on ensembles of advanced spatial statistical models, utilising geographical information systems, remote sensing and oceanographic modelling data. In both projects, shifts in species distributions under different projections of climate change will be compared.

The post doc will join our research group working with marine conservation and spatial planning and will collaborate with project partners WorldFish and the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) in the Global South and multiple partners within a Horizon Europe-project led by HELCOM in the Global North. This is an excellent opportunity for the post doc to work in different settings and join diverse networks of multiple stakeholders. The post doc will undertake data analyses, lead and contribute to related scientific publications. The successful candidate will have an important role in developing research on climate change from its focus on effects of warming on marine organisms, to knowledge on how fisheries and the availability of nutritious aquatic foods change in the ecosystems.

Your profile
We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher with strong modelling and analytical skills in ecology, interest in working with developing nations and international partners, as well as good cooperative abilities. We place great emphasis on personal qualities and abilities to communicate and to cooperate in a team as well as work and develop independently.

You have a PhD in ecology, biogeography or equivalent, with documented experience in ecological and/or spatial modelling. Creative problem solving, skills in organising data, as well as proficiency in different types of data analysis is a merit, as is knowledge of marine ecosystems and aquatic foods.
As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.

Scientific merits of relevance for the position, including demonstrated independent scientific work, will also be given particular emphasis. Programming skills in R is a requirement, and skills in dynamic modelling in other languages as well as in GIS-based analyses is a merit. Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

About us
Our department is an inspiring environment where you can contribute to knowledge for the sustainable use of seas, lakes and watercourses. We combine ecological, genomic, biodiversity, and fisheries research with monitoring, assessment and advice for national and international management. With 200 employees, we are the largest knowledge hub on aquatic systems and fisheries in Sweden, providing access to associated research infrastructure and research opportunities of high societal relevance.

Welcome to visit us at www.slu.se/aquaticresources!

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Location:
Uppsala, Sweden

Form of employment:
Temporary position 2 year, with possibility for extension.

Scope:
100%

Start date:
1 April 2025, or as agreed.

Application:
Welcome to submit your application using the button below, at the latest February 16th , 2025.

The application shall be written in English and include a CV documenting your academic career and education, copies of PhD degree diploma including course specifications, publication list including submitted manuscripts, a presentation of your scientific merits and merits in collaboration with different societal stakeholders, as well as contact details for two reference persons (name, relation to the application, email and phone number).

Union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

Project in the Global South (Vitamin Sea): https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2024/11/slu-forskare-undersoker-hur-klimatet-paverkar-tillgangen-till-naringsrik-havsmat-i-sarbara-regioner/

Project in the Global North (Protect Baltic): https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2024/9/nytt-steg-mot-hallbart-skydd-av-ostersjon-med-protect-baltic/