Botanical field assistants (3 positions)

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37 000 students and about 4 700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. And the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is what it is all about. But also about delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. This is simply where the future is built.

We are looking for three field assistants to work with researchers at the Climate Impacts Research Center, Department of Ecology and Environment Sciences, based in Abisko. The project includes co-principal investigators from UiT, Norway. The employment is an intermittent employment, an hourly employment, read more below. Expected start date is May 2nd, 2023 or according to agreement. The deadline for applications is March 27th, 2023. Welcome with your application!

Job duties
The field assistants will participate in botanical research activities in the Abisko region and Troms County, Norway. This work includes planning and implementation of botanical surveys and environmental data collection. The work is physically demanding and often includes the transportation of heavy field equipment on foot or on skis with backpacks. The assistant will coordinate activities with researchers, technical staff, students, and interns to ensure the highest integrity and quality.

Examples of tasks include:

• Identification of mountain flora from the northern Scandes mountain region
• measurements in the field, including plant community composition, plant phenology, snow cover, temperature and soil moisture
• installation, maintenance, and downloading TSM logger data
• use of dGPS for measuring snow cover
• maintain and repair field equipment, including instruments used in for field measurements
• data entry, error checking, and data management
• organizing and implementation of field work for students and interns

Qualifications
We are looking for you with at least a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science or equivalent. You have good experience of working in demanding mountain environments that are typical for Abisko (summer and winter conditions). The applicant must have prior experience conducting fieldwork in subarctic or arctic environments. You must be able to navigate with a map and compass. You have good knowledge of Microsoft Office and good ability to express yourself orally and in writing in English. A valid driver's license in Sweden is a requirement for this position. A detailed knowledge of the plant species, communities, and phenology and measurement techniques in the Abisko region is required. It is desirable if the person has training in first aid and CPR certification.

Intermittent employment
An intermittent employment means that you can be offered scheduled employment occasions during a frame period of 9 months max. The employment occasions are time limited in accordance with LAS 5§ 1p. To be available this way means that you can accept or decline each employment occasion that you are offered and that a new employment enters each time you work. This practically means that you have an hourly employment.

The preliminary work period for these intermittent employments is May-September, 2023 but with a frame contract on 9 months, for us to be able to offer work after the work period, if there is need for that.

Application
You apply via our recruitment tool Varbi. The application must contain (in English or Swedish):

• Personal letter
• CV
• Copies of grades and certificates
• Names and contact details of two reference persons

The application deadline is 2023-03-27.

Contact
For questions regarding employment, please contact Keith Larson, [email protected]

About the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/