Field assistants for the summer season

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics and combinations of these fields in order to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

During the summer of 2023 there is a need for seasonal staff for field work, where the length and activity level of the employment varies according to work tasks and location. Some preparations and processing of samples or data collected in the field may also be included, which is done in our labs or offices in Gothenburg. Field work will be conducted in the following locations:

Work area Disko research station, Greenland
Field work will take place during the summer of 2023 at field locations around Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island (Greenland), which are reached by plane to Ilulissat airport and then by ferry to Qeqertarsuaq. The stays in the field will be from 3 weeks up to 2 months. Tasks vary as needed but may include measurements of natural greenhouse gas emissions from ecosystems, vegetation inventories, species identification (plants, mosses, lichens), soil and water sampling, installations and maintenance of technical equipment, and data processing. Longer stays outside mobile and fixed communication networks are to be expected.

Work area Adventdalen, Svalbard
Field work will take place during the summer of 2023 at field locations around Longyearbyen in Svalbard, which are reached by plane to Longyearbyen airport. The stays in the field will be from 3 weeks up to 2.5 months. Tasks vary as needed but may include measurements of natural greenhouse gas emissions from ecosystems, vegetation inventories, species identification (plants, mosses, lichens), soil and water sampling, installations and maintenance of technical equipment, and data processing. Employees must be willing to take a weapons training course and carry a rifle due to the presence of polar bears on Svalbard.

Work area Storulvån, Jämtland
Field work will be taking place at Tväråklumparna in Jämtland. The area is reached by train followed by local car transport. The stays in the field will be from 3 weeks up to 3 months. The main tasks will be to observe and catch pollinators in the flowering community and conduct pollination experiments on plant species. The work can also include other tasks such as vegetation surveys and collection of flower traits.

Work area Latnjajaure field station, Norrbotten
Field work will take place during the summer of 2023 at Latnjajaure field station, which is reached by helicopter from Abisko. The stays in the field will be from 3 weeks up to 3 months. Amenities at the station are rudimentary (small cabins shared by several people, no plumbing). Field work tasks vary as needed but may include measurements of natural greenhouse gas emissions from ecosystems, vegetation inventories, species identification (plants, mosses, lichens), weather observations, soil and water sampling, installations and maintenance of technical equipment, and data processing. Some of the work may include following protocols sent out within the framework of ITEX (International Tundra Experiment). Longer stays outside mobile and fixed communication networks are to be expected.

Work in additional arctic or alpine locations may be included upon agreement. Preparations and processing will be carried out at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. This work may comprise planning of field activities, management and processing of field data, sample processing (sorting, sieving, weighing etc.), and preparation of seeds for long-term storage.

Applicants can specify the preferred work area in the application, but the assignment of tasks and length of stay are determined in a dialogue between the applicant and the responsible staff. Successful candidates may be sent out to any of the work areas listed above or potentially additional arctic or alpine locations.

The required qualifications depend on the work area and group composition, which means that the applicant needs to have one or more of the following qualifications:

• Higher education with a focus on science or other higher education that the employer considers equivalent
• Experience from field work in challenging conditions
• Good species identification skills (vascular plants or insects, particularly from alpine or Arctic ecosystems)
• Experience from working with technical field equipment/instruments
• Weapons training
• Experience from hiking in challenging terrain carrying heavy equipment

The following qualifications are meritorious but not required:

• Driving license, category B
• Experience with survey methods in plant ecology
• Expertise in moss and lichen identification
• Experience with pollination experiments
• Knowledge about plant reproduction and flower anatomy
• Field work experience from one of the locations mentioned above
• Experience from working in areas with large predators (polar bears)

The work requires accuracy, independence, and ability to take own initiatives, as well as a problem-solving mindset and excellent team-work skills. Applicants should be used to spending time outdoors in harsh conditions. During assessment, account will be taken with respect to personal ability and qualifications. 

The application should preferably be written in English and contain:

• A cover letter where you describe your experiences and how you meet the criteria for the position, as well as a point-by-point explanation of which of the qualifications you meet. If you have any wishes about work areas, you can specify this in your cover letter.
• A list of qualifications (CV)
• Copies of degree certificates or other study certificates

Form of employment: Temporary employment for seasonal work with the title research assistant

Period: May 1st, 2023 until September 30th, 2023, exact duration and activity level may vary according to work tasks and location and will be decided in dialogue between the applicant and the responsible staff.

Location: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Start: May 2023 or upon agreement

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:  

Karin Johansson, Research Engineer
e-post: [email protected]

Anne Bjorkman, Senior Lecturer
e-post: [email protected]

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
tel. +46 31 786 26 25
e-post: [email protected]  

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande  

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. 

Applications must be received by: April 3rd, 2023

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.