Postdoctor in Experimental Evaluation of the Combined Effects of Changes Associated with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) Implementation

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The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58,000 students and 6,800 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.

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv), teaching and research activities stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. Different levels of biological organisation are studied, from genes, individuals and populations, to communities and ecosystems, 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 position is placed at the Kristineberg Marine Research Station, Fiskebäckskil.

Reference number: PAR 2026/628.

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Subject Area Description

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is a marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) technique that may have a significant role in facilitating large scale CO2 removal to substantially reduce global warming and ocean acidification. However, considerable uncertainties and knowledge gaps remain regarding its efficacy, technological and economic viability, its environmental and ecological impacts and its governance.

This 2-year postdoctoral position is part of the EU Horizon project OAeSIS (https://oaesis.eu/), a diverse, interdisciplinary team of leading experts in natural science, law, governance and socio-economic assessments. One key aspect is quantifying the impacts of OAE on key species, communities and biodiversity, including interactions with other marine ecosystem stressors, assessing the feasibility and sustainability of OAE as a tool to counteract climate change and ocean acidification.

The position specifically focuses on resolving the combined effects of changes associated with different OAE implementation methods through experiments using a range of marine organisms. This will allow the production of performance curves for key drivers associated with OAE deployments, multiple stressors experiments, and modelization of performance landscapes for different OAE methods using experimental data and literature review.

This will be done in close collaboration with key partners within the consortium, particularly with the University of Copenhagen and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The position will contribute to enabling informed decision and policy-making regarding the potential application of this leading mCDR approach as a climate mitigation tool.

Duties

Task #1 – Resolving Non-Linear Biological Effects and Interactions

To resolve the non-linear biological effects and potential interactions for all main drivers (TA, pH, trace elements) associated with OAE deployment combined with modelling:

• Evaluation of state-of-the-art using meta-analysis.
• Fill up the gaps by resolving performance curves for each driver using key species and life-history stages in laboratory experiments.
• Development of a mechanistic model for biological impact of OAE deployment at the species level.
• Use the model to project impacts under different scenarios.

Task #2 – Experimental Evaluation and Model Improvement

Experimentally evaluate the model developed in Task #1 using a multiple stressor experimental approach, identify potential novel interactions and use the collected data to improve the mechanistic model:

• Perform complex multiple stressors experiments.
• Improve the mechanistic model developed in Task #1, accounting for potential interactions.

The work will thus include:

• Field sampling of key species (e.g. echinoderms, bivalves).
• Performing single and multiple driver experiments manipulating the carbonate chemistry and trace elements, simulating different methods for OAE deployment.
• Meta-analysis of the existing literature.
• Statistical analysis to resolve performance curves and landscapes.
• Publication of the results and communication with other partners and stakeholders in the OAeSIS project.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment Criteria

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant.

Required qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in a field relevant for the research project.
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken, in English, necessary since the team works in an international environment.
• Specialization in marine biology/eco-physiology, as well as experience in experimental design, marine animal culturing and meta-analysis.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience in manipulation and measurement of seawater carbonate chemistry (e.g. ocean alkalinity enhancement, ocean acidification).
• Ability to design and perform complex laboratory experiments on a range of marine animals, including early life-stages.
• Understanding of multiple stressors and ability to develop strategies to resolve their combined effects (e.g. ecotoxicology, global change biology).
• Good statistical skills (e.g. non-linear modeling), including experience in meta-analyses.

The most qualified candidates, in relation to the assessment criteria in the advertisement, are invited for an interview. Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3–4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Employment

The employment is a temporary employment during 2 years, 100% of full time, placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Starting date as soon as possible or upon agreement.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Sam Dupont, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor (phone: +46 766 22 9531; email: sam.dupont@bioenv.gu.se; webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/samdupont), or Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department (tel. +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.

Application

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

Publications that cannot be attached to the application in digital format should be mailed in a single copy to: Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Att: Sam Dupont, University of Gothenburg, Box 566, S-451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden. The envelope should be labelled “Postdoctor in Experimental evaluation of the combined effects of changes associated with ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) implementation, PAR 2026/628”. The publications must be received no later than the application deadline.

The application should preferably be written in English and must include: a cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, describing how the applicant meets the selection criteria; a list of qualifications (CV); certificate of PhD exam; and a complete list of publications, including submitted and accepted manuscripts.

Applications must be received by: 2026-09-07.

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. For a general idea of what the University and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for applicants and their family/spouse/partner, visit: https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services and https://www.movetogothenburg.com/.

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 a candidate requests that their documents are returned, they will be returned once the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection with this recruitment, recruitment channels have already been decided; the University therefore declines further contact from vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

More information and application: https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/job?site=7&lang=UK&validator=9b89bead79bb7258ad55c8d75228e5b7&job_id=41216