Job for Researchers: Professor in Animal Ecology — Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden

About the role

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) invites applications for a full, tenured professorship in animal ecology, based at the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies in Umeå. The department hosts approximately 100 staff and conducts internationally recognised research, education, and environmental monitoring across restoration ecology, aquatic ecology, molecular ecology, and animal ecology. This position is partially financed for five years by the Önnersjöstiftelsen.

The subject area is animal ecology with a focus on plant–animal interactions in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems, applied to forestry, wildlife management, and forest damage. The professor will develop the knowledge base on animal ecology and its interactions with humans, landscapes, and climate.

Responsibilities

• Develop research in animal ecology generally and within the stated focus area, together with researchers across the faculty and other SLU units
• Contribute to the pedagogical development of the subject
• Act in accordance with SLU’s vision, goals, and values
• Contribute to the strategic development of the department and faculty
• Develop and lead an internationally successful research environment
• Integrate animal ecology research into the application areas of forestry, wildlife management, and forest damage
• Publish scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals
• Apply for external funding in national and international competition
• Supervise doctoral students and mentor postdoctoral researchers
• Lead, develop, and participate in teaching and supervision at first, second, and third cycle levels
• Collaborate with researchers within SLU and nationally/internationally
• Develop regional, national, and international networks with society at large
• Disseminate research findings
• Fulfil administrative tasks within the department, faculty, and university

Requirements

Eligibility

• Doctoral degree in a subject relevant to the position, or equivalent scientific competence
• Scientific skill within the subject area of animal ecology
• Pedagogical skill
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Good knowledge of English

Assessment criteria

Scientific skills are assessed based on:

• Completed and ongoing research within the focus area (plant–animal interactions in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems)
• Ability to integrate animal ecology research into forestry, wildlife management, and forest damage
• Expertise in wildlife management and forest damage
• Future research vision within the subject area
• Ability to independently initiate, lead, and develop innovative research
• Ability to attract external funding in competition
• Ability to supervise and examine at doctoral level and mentor postdoctoral researchers

Pedagogical skills are assessed based on:

• Ability to plan, conduct, and evaluate own teaching at basic, advanced, and doctoral levels
• Ability to supervise and examine undergraduate, master’s, and graduate students
• Ability to convey and implement a pedagogical vision
• Ability to integrate up-to-date research and scientific approaches into teaching

Other assessment criteria include ability to develop and manage academic units and staff, personal view of leadership, communication and collaboration skills, ability to collaborate with external stakeholders and society at large, and dissemination of research and development projects. The position will be offered to the candidate who, after a qualitative overall assessment, is judged most suitable to carry out the duties and contribute to the organisation’s positive development.

Language

Swedish and English are used in parallel at the department. The professor must be able to perform most tasks in English. Non-Swedish-speaking staff are expected, within four years of employment, to acquire sufficient Swedish to understand information in Swedish; the department will support this.

What we offer

This position provides a vibrant research climate at SLU. Benefits include Swedish family healthcare provisions, generous paid parental leave, well-established preschool structures, and free education through university level. The place of work is Umeå, and the position is full-time (100%).

How to apply

For more information, please contact:

• Anders Alanärä, Head of Department, +46(0)90-7868215, [email protected]
• Ulrika Ganeteg, Research Officer, +46(0)76-5278797, [email protected]

Application deadline: 2026-10-01.

Original vacancy