Postdoctoral position in Environmental Science, with specialisation in Environmental Risk Analysis

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you'll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that's needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That's what we've created – and you are invited.

Change starts here!

The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The research activities within this multidisciplinary department include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science and environmental engineering as well as disease ecology.

Subject area for the position: Environmental science, with specialisation in environmental risk analysis

Location until further notice: Kalmar, Sweden. Since Linnaeus University is located in both Växjö and Kalmar, travel between the two may be required.

Hours and term: Employment under the postdoctoral agreement. Full-time for two years, with a potential extension for up to one additional year.

Starting date: Starting date as agreed upon.

Human exposure to toxic metals often occurs through dietary intake. In areas surrounding contaminated sites, assessing these risks requires a comprehensive understanding of contaminant levels in local food items, realistic consumption patterns, and the bioavailability of contaminants following ingestion. The postdoctoral project will conduct an advanced environmental and human health risk assessment focusing on the consumption of locally produced and collected foods in the vicinity of the Boliden Rönnskär smelter in northern Sweden. The aim is to develop a scientifically robust basis for long-term dietary recommendations that can reduce exposure to toxic metals while remaining realistic and feasible for local residents.

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for synthesising existing datasets on metal concentrations in local food items within the study area, identifying key knowledge gaps, and designing complementary sampling strategies. The work will include targeted sampling of locally consumed foods (e.g., vegetables, berries, mushrooms and fish), assessment of oral bioavailability of metals using established in vitro methods, and development of probabilistic exposure models that combine food concentrations, bioavailability data and realistic consumption patterns.

The project will further include scenario-based risk analyses evaluating how different consumption patterns and dietary recommendations influence total exposure and health risk. The results will be used to develop transparent and scientifically robust recommendations for safe consumption of local foods.

The work will involve collaboration with researchers at Linnaeus University as well as external stakeholders and will contribute to improving environmental risk management and communication in contaminated areas.

Teaching and supervision, comprising no more than 20% of the total workload, may be included among your duties.

Anyone who has a doctorate in Environmental Science, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Medicine, Environmental Chemistry, Risk Assessment, or other closely related fields, or who has a degree from another country that is equivalent to a doctorate in the mentioned subjects, qualifies for the position.

In accordance with the postdoc agreement, applicants who were awarded their degree no more than three years prior to the last application date for the present position should be considered first.

An applicant must not previously have been employed as a postdoc for more than a year within the same or a related subject area at Linnaeus University.

As part of the assessment criteria for the postdoctoral position, the applicant must show:

• High proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently to solve problems.
• Capacity to cooperate and collaborate well in a research group (i.e. team work).

It is also considered an advantage if the applicant has:

• Experience in analysing environmental contaminants.
• Experience in exposure modelling and statistical analysis of environmental data.
• Experience in probabilistic methods for risk- or exposure assessments.
• Experience working with dietary exposure data or food contamination studies.
• Experience with oral bioaccessibility or bioavailability methods (e.g., in vitro gastrointestinal models).
• Experience in field studies and in designing or conducting environmental sampling programmes.
• Experience in communicating environmental or health risks to relevant stakeholders and exposed populations.

When the university employs new researchers, the choice should fall on those applicants who, based on a qualitative holistic assessment of competence and skills, are considered most likely to successfully perform and develop relevant tasks and contribute to successful development of the organisation.

Please note that a valid identification must be presented at the time of the interview. 

For more information, please contact:

Deputy Head of Department Andreas Svensson (andreas.svensson@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-447319,

Dr. Anna Augustsson (anna.augustsson@lnu.se), +46(0)730-529974,

Personnel Officer Marianne Palmér (marianne.palmer@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-447303

Would you like to know more about the department of biology and environmental science?  Learn more at Lnu.se.

Welcome with your application no later than April 8th, 2026.

The application must be written in English and include a CV (containing the applicant’s personal identification number, telephone number, and email address, as well as contact details including telephone number and email for two referees), a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project matches your interests and educational background, a complete list of publications, a copy of your passport, transcripts and certificates, and any other relevant documents.

Linnaeus University aims to take advantage of the qualities that gender balance and diversity bring to the organization. Submit your application via the “Apply” button at the bottom of the advertisement. All documents must be attached digitally to the application. All documents referred to must be received by the university no later than 23:59 on the final application day. We kindly decline all contact from advertisers selling job advertisements.

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