The aim of the project is to identify water systems where the effects of pollution, fish farms, disease, invasive species and fish health need particular consideration in the process of restoration of water connectivity, so called Waters at Risk. The fish health aspect has for a long time been overlooked when restoring connectivity and the combined effect of different stressors has not been assessed at all. The output from the project will aid governmental agencies and legal instances as well as hydropower companies and consultants in the process of upgrading Swedish hydropower to modern environmental standards. In addition, this work will also provide new knowledge (as well as identify knowledge gaps) about the multifaceted threats that act on fish health and ultimately affects goals to achieve strong and healthy fish populations in Swedish river systems. Since the project is a collaboration between two departments within SLU - Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, SLU, Umeå, and Department of Aquatic Resources, SLU, Drottningholm – the successful candidate will benefit from a very wide and diverse network of highly skilled scientists.
If suitable, the candidate is expected to participate in other ongoing research projects within the competence area Aquatic ecology at both departments.
The applicant should hold a PhD in ecology, biology, geology, hydrology or equivalent. We are looking for a highly motivated and team-oriented candidate with expertise in fish ecology/fish health/water pollution/hydropower management/spatial ecology or equivalent. Documented GIS skills and experience of working with large/unsynchronized datasets and/or relevant Swedish databases are prerequisites for the position. Experience with anadromous fish and issues related to fish health will count as merits. Very good skills in written and spoken English is obligatory as well as good understanding of Swedish since some data are only available from Swedish agencies in Swedish.
As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.