Ref PAR 2023/345

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 Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in chemical sciences and molecular life sciences. Our research and education focus on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes ranging from cells to the environment.

We address important societal issues such as environmental problems, antibiotic resistance, cancer, and diseases of the brain. In this way, we contribute to achieving the UN’s global goals for sustainable development in the areas of good health and well-being, sustainable energy for all, sustainable cities and communities, and combating climate change.

The Department offers an international environment with interdisciplinary connections both within research and education. We are responsible for postgraduate education in the Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science. In addition, the Department hosts educational programs in molecular biology, genomics and systems biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, and takes an active role in environmental education programs in collaboration with other departments at the Faculty of Science.

The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology has around 200 employees, and partners with various societal actors such as schools, businesses, and authorities. In August of this year, we will relocate to completely new premises in the building Natrium on Campus Medicinareberget. For more information about the activities, see: https://www.gu.se/en/chemistry-molecular-biology 

Subject area 

Chemistry specializing in atmospheric science 

Subject area description 

The research area Atmospheric science investigates molecular processes taking place in the atmosphere, with a focus on understanding fundamental transport and reaction processes, as well as study how these affect ecosystems, air quality, health and climate. The research is interdisciplinary as it brings together knowledge from several scientific areas. In particular the chemistry disciplines of analytical, physical, and inorganic chemistry are central. The research topic also has strong links to colloidal- and organic chemistry as well as nanotechnology. The research environment at the department is particularly successful through its studies of aerosols, ice, and cloud formation, in addition to climate interactions, both experimentally and theoretically. In addition, the research encompasses studies of atmospheric transformation of organic compounds, and corresponding applications of mass spectrometry. There is a close collaboration with other Departments at the Faculty of Science, which is expected to be reinforced by the ongoing move to joint premises in the new building of Natrium. The research has also strong connection to the Gothenbug Air and Climate Network (GAC) in the Gothenburg region, and related strategic initiatives and research infrastructures, such as the ModElling the Regional and Global Earth system (MERGE), and the pan-European environmental research infrastructure ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds and Trace gases Research Infrastructure). Through these collaborations, the social impact of the research and its contribution to sustainable development is ensured.

For more information about the research activities in atmospheric science see: https://www.gu.se/en/chemistry-molecular-biology/our-research/atmospheric-science 

Duties 

The position primarily involves research, meaning:

• Establishing an independent and internationally competitive research profile that complements and further develops the existing research environment within the subject area at the department.
• Undertaking supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Scientific publication, application for research funding, research administration and project management.

The position also includes:

• Teaching, course development and examination in chemistry at the basic level, especially within inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry, as well as at an advanced level related to the research subject, approximately corresponding to 20% of time.
• Societal collaboration and interaction in various forms.
• Competence development, especially related to higher education pedagogics and supervision, corresponding to 20 credits (i.e. the courses PIL101, PIL102, PIL103, and PIL201 or equivalent).
• For non-Swedish speakers, competence development in Swedish is also included.

The purpose of the position is to develop independence as a researcher and to gain merits, both scientifically and pedagogically, to meet the eligibility requirements for a position as senior lecturer, prior to which the application for a docentship (Sve. ‘docentur’) is a milestone. 

Eligibility 

The general qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg. A PhD degree or equivalent foreign degree in a subject area relevant to the position is a requirement. Priority should be given to those who have obtained a PhD degree or have reached equivalent competence no more than five years before the deadline for applying for the position as associate senior lecturer. However, even those who have completed a doctoral degree or have achieved equivalent competence earlier may be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

More specifically, the position requires:

• A PhD in chemistry/physics/environmental science, or equivalent scientific competence, within the research field of atmospheric science.
• At least two years of postdoctoral experience at a university, college, research institute or equivalent.

The applicant is required to demonstrate such personal qualities that are required to undertake the duties of the position, as well as to interact with other staff and contribute to a positive development of the work environment at the Department.

Communicative skills in English, both orally and in writing, are required at start of the position. For non-Swedish speaking candidates, development of proficiency in Swedish is expected to be able to conduct and participate in teaching in Swedish after two years of employment.

Assessment criteria 

The general assessment criteria for employment as teacher are set out in the University of Gothenburg’s appointment procedure. The qualifications of the candidates applying for this position are to be examined by external experts.

In general, the applicant should be selected who, after an overall assessment of skills and development potential, has been judged to have the highest potential for carrying out the duties included in the employment. In assessing merit, equal care shall be given to the examination of teaching ability and to the examination of scientific ability. Administrative and organizational skills will also be assessed, considering the nature of the position and the duties involved. Furthermore, leadership skills and the ability to interact with the wider community, will be considered.

In the assessment, primary weight will be given to scientific skills and the development potential of the candidate. Secondary weight will be given to pedagogical, and administrative merits and skills.

• Scientific merits will be assessed based on the applicant’s ability and experience in performing research. The applicant is expected to present peer-reviewed scientific publications within the research topic. The quality and impact will be given more weight than the total number of publications. Documented experience of obtaining external research funding in open competition is a strong merit.
• Pedagogic merits and teaching expertise are assessed based on pedagogical education and documented experience in planning and performing teaching at both basic and advanced level. Special weight will be given to initiatives that have contributed to the development of education and teaching. In addition, experiences from supervision of students will be evaluated.
• Administrative and organizational skills are assessed based on the documented experience from engaging in administration, coordination roles, and taking collegial responsibility. In addition, the commitment to interact and collaborate with the society is evaluated.

In addition to the above, an overall assessment is made related to the development potential of the candidate. This concerns an evaluation of the potential to fulfill the purpose of the career position, i.e., to develop independence as a researcher, and to qualify both scientifically and pedagogically to meet the requirements for eligibility for a position as senior lecturer. In this assessment, emphasis is placed on the candidate’s ability to develop and mature within the time frame of the employment, considering that priority should be given to those who have obtained a doctoral degree, or have reached equivalent competence, no more than five years before the time of application. A quantitative advantage of an applicant, which can be related to the fact that an applicant has been active for a long time, should therefore not be decisive.

Personal suitability will be assessed by demonstrating the personal qualities required to perform the duties of the position, to interact with other staff and to contribute to the development of the department. Suitability is evaluated through interviews and test lectures, which follow a ranking made by the external experts. Interviews and test lectures are conducted by the Faculty of Science’s Teacher Nomination Committee, in conjunction with staff from the department. The personal qualities to be evaluated are communication skills, cooperation ability, personal commitment and enthusiasm for the subject area, and the expected ability to make a positive contribution to the working environment and activities at the department.

Personal circumstances (such as parental leave, part-time work due to child-care, trade union assignments, military service or similar) that can be counted to the benefit of applicant should be stated in connection to qualifications and experience in the CV.

Requirements for promotion from associate senior lecturer to senior lecturer

During the employment period, no later than 6 months before it ends, the associate senior lecturer is expected to apply to be promoted to a permanent position as senior lecturer. It is noted that the application for promotion must be made within the same subject in which the applicant is employed. The requirements for promotion to senior lecturer can be found in the Faculty of Science’s procedures (V 2018/117) and is summarized as follows:

1. The applicant should be eligible for a position as senior lecturer in accordance with the Rules of Appointment of the University and Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance
2. The applicant should be deemed suitable for such a position according to the assessment criteria established by the Faculty of Science, which means that applicant should:
   • Hold a docentship (Sve. ‘docentur’) in the subject area
   • Have undertaken pedagogic and supervision training in teaching and learning in higher education i equivalent to 20 credits (PIL 101, PIL 102, PIL 103, and PIL 201 or equivalent)
   • Have been graded at least 4 (excellent) on a 5-point scale, regarding both research and teaching skills, as of assessed by external experts.

In addition to the requirements above, the suitability of the candidate for promotion will be assessed based on:

1. Competence in Swedish in speech and writing that enables participation in teaching at basic level.
2. Ability to supervise/assist students/doctoral students at different levels
3. The personal suitability and ability to interact with other staff and positively contribute to the work environment at the department
4. Ability to actively and independently seek for, and successfully obtain external funding.

More information about the assessment criteria for promotion from associate senior lecturer to senior lecturer see: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/digitalAssets/1684/1684616_handlordn_befordran_till_lektor_april2018.pdf

Employment 

Type of employment: Temporary position, 6 years

Scope: 100%

Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg

Starting date: As soon as possible, or by arrangement

Additional information

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a large step and raises many questions about what to expect. To give a general idea of what University of Gothenburg and Sweden can offer in terms of benefits and of life in general, please visit http://www.science.gu.se/english/about/career. Here are some highlights:

• Sweden offers 480 days of parental leave, free to be taken by the parents anytime until the child is 12 years old. Families in Sweden are guaranteed day-care positions within four months of registering.
• We can offer relocation services upon request.

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Deputy Head of Department Kristina Hedfalk (kristina.hedfalk@gu.se) or Head of Department Marica Ericson (marica.ericson@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 

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. The selection of candidates is based on the qualifications registered in the application.

The application must include:

• CV, including a complete list of publications, and a record of research grants received (with amounts).
• Description of scientific expertise and a motivated list of 10 selected scientific publications. Describe your part of the work for each of the selected publications.
• A research plan with a description of current and planned research as well as other planned activities relevant to this position (maximum three pages).
• Description of pedagogical expertise, including information about the extent and level of your teaching experience and evaluations of its quality.
• Description of experience of leadership, administration and co-operation with the society.
• Digital copies of your most relevant publications in full format (maximum 10 publications).
• Certificates and other documents that are to be considered.
• Contact details for at least two references who can be contacted upon request.

All qualifications must be documented so that both quality and scope can be assessed. Any documents that are not available in electronic format should be mailed (three copies) to:

Faculty Office for Science

Attn: Lärarförslagsnämnden

University of Gothenburg

Box 460

S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

The application should be written in English.

Applications must be received by: 2023-08-31

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.
Apply