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.
The Department of Earth Sciences has approximately 75 employees. Our Department works to achieve diversity in the workplace and to create a family-friendly environment, and in addition, Sweden has generous family leave and childcare policies. The Department trains Earth scientists and geographers, who can meet the increased need for geoscientists and geographers in society. We have bachelor’s and master’s programs in Earth science and geography as well as postgraduate education with several different specializations (geology, physical geography, and geography). Our teaching gives students knowledge, understanding, skills and the ability to contribute to solving various geoscientific and geographical problems both within academia and in society. We also train high school and grade school teachers in the subject of geography. Our three priority research themes are “Climate and Climate Change”, “Earth Surface Processes” and “The Geosphere”. The University is further developing profile areas for the Faculty, where relevant areas are, for example, “Healthy Living Planet” and “Energy, Power and Matter for a Sustainable World”. Further information is available on our website: https://www.gu.se/en/earth-sciences
Subject area
Geography with specialization in Physical Geography
Subject area description
Geography is the interdisciplinary science that describes the Earth’s surface and why it appears as it does, and puts this in relation to how human activity affects and is affected by the Earth. In other words, geography is about the connection and interaction between humans and nature, in space and time. The subject is divided into two main branches: Physical Geography and Cultural Geography. Physical geography is the natural science part of geography and includes, for example, climatology and geomorphology. Cultural geography, which is sometimes called human geography, is the social science part of geography that studies people and the environment, for example, change processes and sustainable development.
The teaching and development of the course activities in our geography program takes place in close collaboration with teachers at the Human Geography Unit at the Department of Economics and Society, University of Gothenburg. The position is intended to strengthen integrative elements in our geography education and promote research integration between the Department of Earth Sciences and the Human Geography Unit at the Department of Economics and Society. Teaching at the undergraduate level includes, among other things, understanding of landscape change, awareness of the geographical dilemma and how connections between natural conditions, the organization of society, and resource use can be related locally, regionally and globally, as well as processing and analysis of geographic data within Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Description of the employment
The Department of Earth Sciences is looking for a Senior lecturer in geography with specialization in physical geography. The tasks include development of the subject of geography, with a focus on physical geography, as well as teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Supervision of degree projects in the subject at various academic levels is expected. Teaching must be done in English and Swedish within two years of taking the position.
The candidate must have extensive experience in planning and carrying out teaching of geography at university level, with a focus on courses at bachelor’s level. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate solid qualifications in laborative elements, with experience in statistical and spatial analyses of geographical data, including use of GIS. In addition to this, experience of field work and excursions in the subject of geography is also a requirement. Experience of Scandinavian geography and a geographical perspective on a changing climate is an advantage. The candidate is expected to apply to become an Excellent teacher (https://pil.gu.se/english/resources/excellent-teacher/) in the near future.
The connections between climate, environment, and society from a geographical perspective are central in this position.
The candidate must also conduct their own research in the subject area, preferably with a focus on connections and interactions between environmental and climate change and society, in local as well as global contexts. The candidate must also demonstrate documented scientific skills in research in geography, physical geography and/or equivalent. Experience of planning and leading research, as well as obtaining research grants in competition is particularly meritorious. Experience of interdisciplinary research and collaboration with external actors is also a merit. Knowledge of the application of various data analysis methods and modeling is meritorious.
It is desirable that the candidate describes in their application how their research can be integrated within the Department, and with one or more of the Department’s research themes, as well as the strategic research areas BECC and MERGE (where climate, land use, atmosphere, biodiversity and ecosystem services are among research topics; https://www.becc.lu.se and www.merge.lu.se). The candidate is also expected to collaborate with society at large by linking teaching and research to society’s needs and contributing to practical applications. Communication and collaboration are thus an important part of the work.
Some time for competence development will be granted and other assignments (e.g., committee work and administration) may be part of the position.
Candidates without pedagogical education at university level should participate in pedagogical courses for higher education within two years of employment.
The distribution between research, teaching and other tasks follows the Department’s strategy and is determined annually in an individual service plan.
Eligibility
Eligibility for employment as a teacher is stated in Chapter 4, §3-4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and the University of Gothenburg’s own employment regulations.
A doctoral degree or equivalent foreign degree in a subject area that is relevant to the employment is a requirement. The candidate must be scientifically qualified in the subject area, have good teaching ability and have a proven ability to obtain external research funding.
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria for employment as a teacher are stated in Chapter 4, §3-4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and the University of Gothenburg’s own employment ordinance.
While both pedagogic and scientific skills are important in this position, pedagogic skills are of the utmost importance when assessing the applicant’s competence. When assessing the pedagogic skills, special emphasis will be placed on documented experience and the ability to successfully plan, carry out and lead teaching in geography, where physical geography and cultural geography are addressed. Successful supervision of doctoral students and bachelor’s and master’s degree projects is meritorious.
When assessing scientific competence, special emphasis will be placed on documented scientific competence through publication in peer-reviewed journals and documented ability to obtain external funding in competition from funding agencies. Documented experience of cross-, inter- and transdisciplinary research projects and collaborations is an advantage, as well as documented ability to collaborate well with the surrounding society and to inform about research and development work.
The successful candidate will be chosen based on an overall assessment of their skills in the subject area and their ability to carry out the tasks required for this employment, collaborate with other staff and contribute to a positive development of the geography subject.
Employment
Form of employment: Permanent employment
Location: Department of Earth Sciences, Gothenburg
Access: By agreement
Appointment procedure
The assessment process will include statements from external experts, interviews and trial lectures. The assessment of merits and experience will take into account parental leave, sick leave or other similar circumstances. The reasons and extent of absence should be stated in connection with the presentation of qualifications and experiences.
Contact information
If you have any questions about the position, please contact
Roland Barthel, Head of Department (until 30 June 2022), via +46-31-786 1953 or roland.barthel@gu.se
Hans Linderholm, Head of Department (as of 1 July 2022), via +46-31-786 2887 or hansl@gvc.gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande
Application
You apply for the job via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking on the “Apply” button. Attached to the application should be:
- CV, including a complete list of publications and an account of the external funds received (with amounts and the applicant’s role in the application).
- Description of scientific qualifications and motivation for the selection of a maximum of ten scientific publications that you refer to in the application. Indicate your role and work effort for the selected publications.
- Research plan with a description of ongoing and planned research as well as other planned activities relevant to the employment (maximum three pages).
- Report on pedagogical qualifications, with information on the scope and type of teaching and a statement on its quality. The report shall also include pedagogical reflection and teaching philosophy.
- Report on merits in management, administration and collaboration.
- Complete electronic copies of your main publications (maximum ten).
- Certificates and other documents that you wish to invoke.
We would like to see that your application is written in English as it may be reviewed by international experts with English as their working language. You as the applicant are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the University no later than the last day for application. The publications that cannot be attached to the application digitally must be sent in triplicate to:
University of Gothenburg
Faculty Office for Natural Sciences
Attention: The academic appointments board
Box 460
405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Applications must be received by: 2022-09-06
Information for International Applicants
Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step and raises many questions about what to expect. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general, visit https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services and https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/digitalAssets/1805/1805058_welcome-guide.pdf. Information on the Science Faculty at the University of Gothenburg is found at https://www.gu.se/en/science.
The University of Gothenburg is a governmental authority, and the benefits of being employed in a governmental authority can be found here: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/anstallning/Lon-formaner-och-forsakringar/formaner/?languageId=100001
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.
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