Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Plant Physiology

Umeå University; Sweden; On-site; SEK 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family health care

Generous parental leave

No-cost university education

Job summary

SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) in Umeå invites applications for a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Plant Physiology with a focus on RNA biology, especially in trees. The appointee will develop genomics‑based research, contribute to教学 and lead projects, supervise doctoral students and seek external funding, collaborating within UPSC and beyond.

The position emphasizes strategic leadership, international collaboration, and dissemination of findings while working within the

Qualifications

• Completed a doctoral degree in a subject area relevant for the position.
• Be scientifically skilled within genomics and RNA biology.
• Be pedagogically skilled.
• Have demonstrated leadership skills.
• Have good knowledge of English.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead internationally successful research in plant physiology with focus on RNA biology, primarily in trees.
• Publish scientific articles in international journals with peer‑review and apply for external funding.
• Supervise doctoral students and mentor postdoctoral researchers, and lead/participate in teaching and supervision at basic to doctoral levels.
• Collaborate with researchers within the department, faculty and SLU, nationally and internationally.
• Disseminate research findings and contribute to the strategic development of the department and faculty.

Skills

Genomics

RNA biology

Leadership

Pedagogy

English proficiency

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

An appointment as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Plant Physiology with focus on RNA biology is available at the Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå. The department is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre, UPSC.

Last day to apply: 19 August 2026.

Subject Area

Plant physiology with a focus on RNA biology, primarily in trees.

Duties

The employee is responsible for developing research in the subject area genomics together with researchers within the faculty and other parts of SLU. The employee shall also contribute to the pedagogic development in the subject area.

The research shall encompass both fundamental and applied questions relevant to the subject area and make use of the research infrastructure associated with UPSC. Genomics and so‑called omics technologies shall be central to the research.

These responsibilities include:

• Act in accordance with the vision, goals and values of SLU
• Contribute to the strategic development of the department and the faculty
• Develop and lead internationally successful research in the subject of plant physiology with a focus on RNA biology, primarily in trees
• Publish scientific articles in international journals with peer‑review and apply for external funding in competition at national and international level
• Supervise doctoral students and mentor postdoctoral researchers, and lead, develop and participate in teaching and supervision of students at first, second and third cycle level
• Collaborate with researchers within the department, faculty and other parts of SLU, as well as nationally and internationally
• Collaborate and develop regional, national and international networks with the society at large
• Disseminate research findings
• Fulfil administrative tasks within the department, the faculty and the university, including responsibility for budget and staff

Swedish and English are used in parallel at the department. The senior lecturer should be able to perform most of their tasks in English. However, as a public authority, the university has Swedish as its main language according to the requirements of the Language Act. Non‑Swedish‑speaking staff members are expected to, within four years of first being employed, have sufficient knowledge of Swedish to understand information in Swedish. The department will support the holder of the position to achieve this.

Qualifications

The applicant must:

• Have completed a doctoral degree in a subject area relevant for the position
• Be scientifically skilled within genomics and RNA biology
• Be pedagogically skilled
• Have demonstrated leadership skills
• Have good knowledge of English

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria for employment shall primarily apply to the degree of such skill, which is a requirement for eligibility for employment.

The assessment of scientific skills will consider:

• Completed research activities and ongoing research within the subject area
• Earlier experience in genomics and RNA biology
• Future research vision within the subject area
• Ability to independently initiate, lead and develop innovative research within the subject area
• Ability to attract external funding in competition
• Ability to supervise and examine at doctoral level and mentor postdoctoral researchers

The assessment of pedagogic skills will consider the ability to:

• Plan, conduct and evaluate their own teaching at basic and advanced levels, including doctoral level
• Supervise and examine undergraduate, master level and graduate students
• Convey and implement their pedagogical vision
• Integrate up‑to‑date research and scientific approaches into teaching

The assessment will also consider:

• Ability to develop and manage academic units and staff
• Vision for leadership
• Ability to communicate and collaborate
• Ability to collaborate with external stakeholders and the surrounding society
• Dissemination of information on research and development projects

The position will be offered to the candidate who, after a qualitative overall assessment, is assessed to be most suitable to carry out and develop the above‑mentioned duties and to contribute to the positive development of the organization.

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.

Job Details

Place of work: Umeå

Extent: 100%

Form of employment: Permanent employment

Starting date: By agreement.

Contact

Ulrika Ganeteg, [e-mail]

Totte Niittylä, [e-mail]