Postdoctoral Position in Tropical Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Stakeholder-Driven Tree Species Selection University of Gothenburg in Sweden

The University of Gothenburg invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Tropical Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Stakeholder-Driven Tree Species Selection. Hosted at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this position is part of the Biodiversa+ funded project 'OpTIBES - Optimisation of Tree Species Selection for Improved Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.' The research aims to advance biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service assessment to support the selection of native tree species for climate-adapted forest restoration and agroforestry within the Albertine Rift region in Africa.

The postdoctoral researcher will integrate ecological, climatic, and social factors to evaluate species’ adaptability, environmental benefits, and ecosystem service provisioning. A central aspect of the role is collaborating with diverse stakeholders to understand restoration and agroforestry needs, ensuring socially grounded species recommendations. The position bridges ecological science and participatory approaches, developing evidence-based frameworks that enhance landscape resilience, human well-being, and long-term forest restoration success.

Key duties include synthesizing biodiversity, ecosystem service, and environmental suitability data, conducting systematic literature reviews, mapping and engaging stakeholder groups, and coordinating participatory workshops and Delphi-based expert assessments across Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC. The researcher will analyze ecological, trait-based, and environmental datasets to establish species–environment relationships and assess tree species sensitivity to climate stressors, utilizing both global databases and experimental data from the Rwanda TREE project. Close collaboration with OpTIBES partners—including universities in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and African institutions—is expected.

The position offers opportunities to contribute to scientific publications, reporting, and dissemination activities, supporting the translation of research into actionable restoration and agroforestry recommendations. The interdisciplinary, international research environment spans ecology, remote sensing, socio-ecological systems, and climate adaptation. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to co-supervise PhD, MSc, and BSc students, and may negotiate up to 20% teaching duties, potentially extending the employment duration.

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in Plant Ecology, Forest Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Agroforestry, Conservation Biology, or a closely related field. Required qualifications include excellent communication skills in English, analytical skills in biological and socio-ecological data, and experience in field-based ecological or forestry research, preferably in tropical or sub-tropical environments. Willingness to conduct field work in tropical Africa is essential. Desirable qualifications include a strong publication record, background in restoration ecology or agroforestry, experience in biodiversity assessment, stakeholder engagement, proficiency in R, and familiarity with participatory research methods. Speaking French is an asset but not required.

The position is a two-year, full-time temporary employment with Swedish state authority benefits, including holidays and pension. The starting date is 2026-03-16 or upon agreement. Applications must be submitted via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by 2026-01-20. For further information, contact Prof. Göran Wallin ([email protected]).