Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Modelling of Ecological and Evolutionary Systems

Offer Description

Lund University welcomes applicants with different backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities and diversity are fundamental principles in all parts of the University's activities.

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The Department of Biology was established in 2010 through the merger of the Departments of Ecology, Cell and Organism Biology, Biological Undergraduate Education, and the Biological Museums. The department is located at Campus North, which provides unique opportunities for pioneering education and research in the biological sciences. In total, more than 300 people are currently employed at the department, including approximately 70 doctoral candidates. The Biological Museums house one of the world's largest university collections (approximately 12 million specimens) of animals and plants, primarily insects and vascular plants from the Nordic countries. Research at the department is organized into five broad subject-based divisions, comprising smaller research groups, and encompasses many areas within the biological sciences. The department offers several Bachelor's and Master's programmes in "Biology" and "Molecular Biology," attracting both Swedish and international students. Further information about the Department of Biology is available at: http://www.lu.se/biologi.

Job description

Work duties The position involves research, teaching, and outreach. The appointee is expected to contribute to strengthening research and teaching within the subject area. Over time, the appointee is also expected to contribute to the department's activities by undertaking various types of leadership assignments. The content and distribution of duties may change over time, but at least 50% of the position can include research.

Research
The appointee is expected to establish an independent research environment with a focus on mathematical modelling of ecological and evolutionary systems. The research should complement and relate to the ongoing research conducted at the Department of Biology, thereby strengthening existing areas through a broadening or deepening of focus. Connections to current research directions may advantageously be combined with the development of new areas of inquiry. The appointee is expected to secure external funding for their research from national (e.g. The Swedish Research Council Vetenskapsrådet, the FORMAS Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development) and international (e.g. ERC, Horizon Europe) funding bodies, as well as through collaborations with government agencies or organisations engaged in related issues. A start package, including financing for a PhD-student position and some equipment, will be offered by the department.

Teaching
The appointee is expected to contribute to teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as to the development of courses and programmes within the subject area of computational biology. In the short term, the appointee is expected to contribute to teaching in, for example, Modelling Biological systems (BIOS13), Population and community ecology (BIOR69), Conservation biology (BIOR83), Evolutionary biology patterns and processes (BIOR89), Biological modelling (EXTG11) and the master's programs in computational science with specialization in biology and/or bioinformatics (e.g. Bioinformatics and sequence analysis BINP11/17, Applied bioinformatics BIOR93). The position also includes the supervision of BSc/MSc degree projects and doctoral students. In the longer term, the appointee is expected to assume responsibility for courses, and contribute to development of the faculty's new doctoral program in computational science.

Outreach
The holder of the position is expected to engage with society by disseminating information about their activities and, where appropriate, ensuring that research results are of practical benefit through the development of existing, and the initiation of new, relevant collaborative activities at the department.

Leadership Responsibilities
The position does not initially include any administrative or leadership duties. However, over time the appointee is expected to participate in such tasks at both unit, departmental, and faculty levels.

Qualification requirements
A person is qualified to be employed as a senior lecturer if they have demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a PhD in biology or computational science, or equivalent research expertise, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4 Section 4.

The position requires at least five weeks' training in teaching and learning in higher education or corresponding knowledge that has been obtained in some other way. An exception to this requirement may be made in special cases. Applicants who do not possess training in teaching and learning in higher education are to undergo such training within two years of taking up the position.

Teaching staff at Lund University are required to be suitable for the position and to have the general ability to fulfil their work duties well.

Assessment criteria

Requirements for position:

• The applicant must demonstrate scientific expertise in analytical mathematical modelling of biological systems.
• The applicant must include a research plan in their application that shows how the applicant's research profile, and their planned research, can contribute to, complement, or interact with existing research at the Department of Biology
• The applicant must demonstrate a very strong ability to secure national or international research funding.
• The applicant must have experience in supervising undergraduate students and PhD-students
• The applicant must possess varied and well-documented teaching proficiency. Documentation should be provided in the form of certificates from e.g. the head of department or head of school.
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate good pedagogical ability and teaching proficiency.
• The applicant must have experience of research at a different institution after completion of PhD.
• The applicant must have excellent English language skills.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

Meriting factors for the position

• Experience with other types of computational methods, such as population simulations, machine learning, or bioinformatics, is meriting.
• Experience in course development and course leadership is meriting.
• Experience in supervising postdoctoral researchers is highly meriting.
• A broad international network is meriting.
• Ability to engage with society and communicate scientific results is meriting.
• Documented skill and experience in leadership roles are meriting.

Personal qualities Prioritized personal qualities are creativity, strong drive, openness, perseverance, ability to share knowledge and to collaborate within and outside academia, respectful interactions with colleagues, and ability to provide constructive feedback.

Further considerations
In the appointment process, consideration will be given to how the applicant can strengthen the Biology Department's profile in ecological and evolutionary modelling. Applicants are expected to present their current research as well as a research plan for the coming years, demonstrating how these activities will contribute to the department's research.

Scientific merits will be assessed primarily based on the quality and volume of peer-reviewed scientific publications. As much attention will be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research expertise.

When appointing teaching staff, Lund University's Appointment Rules apply, in addition to the provisions set out in the Higher Education Ordinance.

For a non-Swedish speaking staff members, language level B2* must be achieved in Swedish within three years.
*Common European Framework of Reference for Language, CEFR.

What we offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that you receive special benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension.

Read more on the University website about working with us.

Design and content of the application
We recommend you write your application in English, as it may be reviewed by international external experts. The application is to be completed according to the Faculty of Science's application instructions for teaching positions. Upload the application to the recruitment system as PDF files.

Please note that it is very important that you follow the application instructions. An application that is incomplete will be rejected.

Where to apply

Website: https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:930452/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Biological sciences
Years of Research Experience: More than 10

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Lunds universitet
Country: Sweden
City: Lund

Contact

City: Lund
Website: https://www.lu.se/vacancies