Professor (full tenure) in animal ecology

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet; Umeå kommun; On-site; SEK 600,000 - 750,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Swedish family health care provisions

Generous parenting support

Access to exceptional preschool and education systems

Job summary

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet is seeking a qualified candidate to lead research in animal ecology, with a focus on plant-animal interactions in temperate forests. Responsibilities include overseeing research projects, contributing to teaching, and acquiring funding while building collaborations within academia.

The position promises a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and generous benefits, including Swedish family health care. Fluency in Swedish is required within four years of appointment.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a related field or equivalent scientific competence.
• Expertise in wildlife management and forest ecology.
• Ability to attract external funding for research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead research in animal ecology.
• Supervise doctoral students and mentor post-doctoral researchers.
• Publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Scientific competence

Demonstrated leadership skills

Good knowledge of English

Pedagogical competence

Education

Completed a doctoral degree in a relevant subject area

Job description

Faculty of Forest Sciences – Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies

The Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies offers a creative and stimulating working environment with about 100 employees. It conducts internationally recognized research, education, and environmental monitoring in restoration ecology, aquatic ecology, molecular ecology and animal ecology. The department has a large proportion of international employees and well‑established national and international collaborations, providing opportunities for rewarding exchanges.

Subject Area

The position focuses on animal ecology, with an emphasis on plant‑animal interactions in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. The research is applied to forestry, wildlife management and forest damage, contributing to the knowledge base on animal ecology and its interactions with humans, landscapes and climate.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead research in animal ecology, both generally and within the focus area.
• Contribute to pedagogic development and teaching at all academic levels.
• Act in accordance with SLU’s vision, goals and values.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the department and faculty.
• Create an internationally successful research environment.
• Integrate animal‑ecology research into forestry, wildlife management and forest damage.
• Publish scientific articles in peer‑reviewed international journals.
• Apply for external national and international funding.
• Supervise doctoral students and mentor post‑doctoral researchers.
• Lead, develop and participate in teaching and supervision at first, second and third‑cycle level.
• Collaborate with researchers within the department, faculty, SLU, and national/international partners.
• Develop regional, national and international networks with society at large.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Fulfil administrative tasks within the department, faculty and university.

Qualifications

• Completed a doctoral degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent scientific competence.
• Scientific competence within the subject area.
• Pedagogical competence.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Good knowledge of English.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment primarily focuses on the degree of skill required for eligibility. The evaluation of scientific skills considers completed research, ability to integrate research into application areas, expertise in wildlife management and forest damage, future research vision, independent initiation and leadership of innovative research, ability to attract external funding, and supervision capacity at doctoral level. Pedagogic skills are assessed by teaching planning, supervision at undergraduate, master and graduate levels, pedagogical vision, and integration of up‑to‑date research. Additional considerations include management of academic units, leadership perspective, communication and collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination of research information.

Working Environment

The position offers a vibrant research climate at SLU. Benefits include Swedish family health care provisions, generous parenting support with paid leave of absence for both parents, and access to exceptional pre‑school and education systems. Sweden provides no‑cost education through university studies.

Application Details

Application deadline: 2026-10-01

Place of work: Umeå

Scope: 100%

Form of employment: Indefinite‑term employment

Starting date: By agreement

Swedish and English are used in parallel at the department. The professor should be able to perform most tasks in English; however, the university requires Swedish as its main language. Non‑Swedish‑speaking staff are expected to acquire sufficient Swedish knowledge within four years of employment, with departmental support provided.