Senior lecturer/Associate Professor* in Food Biotechnology

SLU; Uppsala kommun; Vor Ort; SEK 535.680 - 781.200; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Swedish family health care provisions

Generous paid leave of absence policies

No-cost education through university studies

Zusammenfassung

SLU in Uppsala is seeking a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Food Biotechnology. The role includes developing and leading research, teaching at various degree levels, and supervising doctoral students. A collaborative mindset and external funding acquisition are essential. Applicants should have proven research expertise and excellent English proficiency. Benefits include health care support and family-friendly policies. Proficiency in Swedish is valued but not mandatory initially.

Qualifikationen

• Proven research expertise in food biotechnology.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate research within teaching.
• Ability to independently initiate and conduct outstanding research.

Aufgaben

• Develop and lead internationally successful research.
• Teach at first, second, and third cycle levels.
• Supervise doctoral students.

Kenntnisse

Research expertise in the subject area

Teaching expertise

Excellent proficiency in English

Jobbeschreibung

Senior lecturer/Associate Professor in Food Biotechnology

Uppsala

Reference number SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-1452

Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences

Department of Molecular Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is a world‑class university in the bio‑ and environmental sciences, with a vision to play a key role in advancing sustainable living through science and education. SLU offers an attractive research environment distinguished by its uniquely broad and internationally leading research, with excellent opportunities for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration with research groups in the social sciences, economics, engineering and other natural sciences.

The Department of Molecular Sciences at SLU Uppsala is seeking an Associate Professor (University Senior Lecturer) in Food Biotechnology. The department currently comprises approximately 90 staff members and, together with three other departments, forms an inspiring research environment at BioCentrum. It encompasses several interacting disciplines, including food science, biotechnology, microbiology, inorganic, physical and organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular structural biology and natural products chemistry. Research at the department focuses on both applied and fundamental biological and chemical processes.

The department also collaborates with industrial partners in developing innovations of importance for the transition toward a sustainable society. The Food Biotechnology research area conducts research and education in sustainable food and feed production, circular economy and the fundamental physiology and genetics of microorganisms, serving as a foundation for establishing new biotechnological processes for food and other biochemicals. Research within this field covers both traditional fermented foods and the introduction of novel raw materials into the food chain. Methods employed include applied microbiology, advanced microbial physiology, fermentation technology and downstream processing of microbial biomass, with a particular—though not exclusive—focus on yeasts, other microscopic fungi and microbial consortia.

The department is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including modern fermentation equipment, food‑grade laboratories, omics platforms, plant cultivation facilities, advanced microscopy and molecular biology facilities, as well as spectroscopy resources, including NMR spectroscopy. The department also participates in the national initiative SwedNMR.

Teaching within the department covers chemistry, food science and microbiology at both undergraduate and advanced levels across degree programmes leading to, among others, agronomy, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Subject area

The subject area encompasses food biotechnology, with a focus on the conversion of raw materials into food products primarily through the metabolic activity of microorganisms.

Duties

• Develop and lead internationally successful research
• Develop, lead and participate in teaching at first, second and third cycle level
• Primarily teach in the areas of food science, microbiology and biotechnology, as well as contribute to other teaching activities at first, second and third cycle level
• Supervise doctoral students and contribute to the development of the postgraduate subjects biology and food science
• Collaborate with other SLU research teams in order to strengthen interdisciplinary activities at the university
• Develop and maintain national and international networks with academia, relevant public authorities, industry, organisations and society at large
• Apply for external research funding
• Contribute to the strategic development of the department, faculty and SLU
• Communicate research findings and other relevant information to society at large
• Perform administrative duties within the department, faculty and university

The department operates in a parallel‑language working environment. The Senior Lecturer will be able to perform most of their duties in English. However, as a public authority, the university is required under the Language Act to use Swedish as its principal language, and the appointee is therefore expected to acquire sufficient proficiency in Swedish to communicate effectively within four years of taking up the position. The department will provide support to enable the appointee to achieve this.

Qualifications

• Research expertise in the subject area
• Teaching expertise and ability to integrate research and a scientific approach into teaching
• Excellent proficiency in English

Assessment criteria

• Completed and ongoing research in the subject area
• Ability to independently initiate and conduct successful/outstanding research
• Ability to obtain external research funding in competition
• Ability to plan, implement and examine, as well as evaluate own teaching
• Supervisor and examination of doctoral students
• Ability to integrate research and a scientific approach in teaching
• Pedagogic vision and reflection

• Developing and leading activities and staff within academia
• Collaborating with relevant stakeholders and society
• Communicating research findings and development
• Genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches to perform advanced research in microbial physiology

It is considered to be of merit if the applicant has good knowledge in Swedish.

As much attention must be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research expertise. The position will be offered to the eligible candidate who, following a qualitative comprehensive assessment, is deemed to have the best qualifications set to conduct and develop the duties in question, and contribute to the positive development of the organisation.

Benefits

This position offers the vibrant research climate at SLU. The benefits of the position include Swedish family health care provisions, parenting support including generous paid leave of absence policies that allow both parents to care for newborns and toddlers. Additionally Sweden has a well‑established pre‑school structure as well as an educational system that provides no‑cost education through university studies.

Place of work

Uppsala

Extent

100%

Form of employment

By agreement.

2026-08-03