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 researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.Research Assistant in Botanical Taxonomy and Informatics

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.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current employment is based in Gothenburg.

We offer

The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means special benefits, more holidays and a great pension. We also offer flexible time contracts to balance private and work life. You can read more about our employment benefits here.

 

Project descripton

In this project we are focusing on revising and documenting taxonomic information on the plant taxon Sileneae (Caryophyllaceae). Currently, there are about 900 taxonomic species recognized, but this will increase substantially, as data, including images, from specimens deposited in herbaria, genetic information and nomenclatural information freely available in various internet resources are synthesized and interpreted into an improved taxonomy.

 

Duties 
You will document and implement improvements to a relational database containing taxonomic information, including nomenclature, specimens, literature, and DNA sequence information on the tribe. You will transfer knowledge on assembling DNA sequence reads from target capture methods.

 

Qualifications 
Eligible to be employed as an assistant researcher is a person with a university degree on an advanced level in biology, with education in systematic botany, phylogenetics and systematics.

Required qualifications for the employment:

• Demonstrated good knowledge of Python, database construction, and Unix-like operative systems is essential.
• Experience of developing and presenting software tools for assembling DNA sequence reads into aligned sequences for phylogenetic analysis.

Desirable qualifications for the employment:

• Knowledge of botanical taxonomy, especially the Caryophyllaceae, and related data sources.
• Knowledge of other programming languages and long-term storage of data, especially DNA sequence data and taxonomic information.

As research assistant, you will have a broad role with varying tasks in different areas. There are many contact points and it is important that you are service oriented, flexible and enjoy collaborating with others.

Excellent communication skills, written and spoken, in English are necessary since we work in an international environment.

The application should preferably be written in English and must include:

• A short cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria
• A list of qualifications (CV)
• Copy of certificate of exam

The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview, which might be held in English and could also be performed digitally.

 

Employment 
This is a fixed-term employment position for 3.5 months, 50 %, placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science starting as soon as possible or upon agreement.

  

Contact information for the post 
If you have any questions about the position, please contact: 

Bengt Oxelman, professor
Phone: 0709901223
Email: bengt.oxelman@gu.se
Webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/bengtoxelman

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
Phone: +46 31 786 26 25
Email: asa.arrhenius@bioenv.gu.se 

If you have any questions about the employment process, please contact HR at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, hr@bioenv.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 
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: September 23, 2024 

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.