Project Assistant in Marine Microbial Ecology

Linnéuniversitetet · Full-time

Kalmar, Sweden

Welcome to Linnéuniversitetet! Here you will meet 2,200 employees and 40,000 students who together pursue the vision of putting knowledge in motion for sustainable societal development. At our institution, research and education are conducted with an eye toward the future. Our proximity to industry, both locally and globally, gives us far-reaching impact and opportunities for change that make a difference. All that is needed is a place where ideas have room to meet and grow. That is what we have created – and you are invited. Change starts here! The Department of Biology and Environment is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Research within this multidisciplinary department includes aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science, environmental engineering, disease ecology, animal welfare science, and didactics. The marine microbiology research group in Kalmar is now seeking a project assistant for studies of the ecology of marine microorganisms. Employment and scope: Fixed-term employment for approximately 7.5 months. Full-time position. Start date: October 12, 2026, or by agreement. Location: Kalmar. Job Description: Bacteria play a crucial role in the ocean's biogeochemical cycles, but the molecular details of how they affect the turnover of specific nutrients remain largely unknown. Research in this project will investigate light utilization through proteorhodopsins in marine bacterioplankton and their role in the carbon cycle. The focus will be on decoding the genetic basis for organic carbon utilization and how this is affected by the availability of other nutrients. The work includes laboratory experiments with cultured model organisms as well as natural marine bacterial communities. The analyses will involve modern techniques in microbial ecology and molecular biology (e.g., gene expression analysis using qPCR and modern sequencing methods). Locally, the research project is connected to Linnéuniversitetet's Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS) and the strong research environment ECOCHANGE, which encompasses expertise in ecology, evolution, and microbiology. Qualifications: Requirements: We are seeking someone who has experience with and is motivated to work within microbial ecology. We welcome applicants who have: Completed basic education in biology, ecology, or molecular biology comprising at least 120 credits. Documented experience with: research in aquatic microbial ecology, including work with seawater samples and micro- and/or mesocosm experiments with microorganisms measuring bacterial growth in nutrient-rich liquid and solid media. extracting mRNA from natural seawater samples and bacterial isolates and good proficiency in using reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) for quantifying gene expression. preparing DNA samples for metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene. Merits: Proficiency in written and spoken English. Ability to work independently to solve scientific problems. Good ability to collaborate well in a research group (i.e., teamwork). Important personal qualities are creativity, independence, perseverance, and organizational ability. Contact persons: Dean Andreas Svensson ([email protected]), +46-(0)480-447319, Research Leader Prof. Jarone Pinhassi ([email protected]), +46-702756318 HR Partner Marianne Palmér ([email protected]), +46-(0)480-447303 Want to learn more about the Department of Biology and Environment? Read more at Lnu.se https://lnu.se/mot-linneuniversitetet/Organisation/fakulteten-for-halso--och-livsvetenskap/ Welcome to submit your application by September 28, 2026. The application should be written in English and include a CV (with the applicant's phone number and email as well as contact information including phone number and email for two references), a letter describing the applicant's research interests, motivation, and experience relevant to the position, a copy of your passport, documentation of degree and grades, and any other documentation the applicant wishes to present. Linnéuniversitetet is committed to utilizing the qualities that an equal gender distribution and diversity bring to the organization. Register your application using the "Apply" button at the bottom of this announcement. The qualifications you claim must be supported by certificates and should be attached digitally to your application. The application and other documents should be marked with the employment's reference number. All documents claimed must be received by the university no later than 11:59 p.m. on the last application day. Please note that identification must be presented at the interview. We do not accept phone calls from job listing sales representatives.