Research Assistant in Dendrochronology and Quantitative Wood Anatomy

Gothenburg, Sweden

2026-04-25 (Europe/Stockholm)

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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.

Earth Sciences has about 80 employees. We have Bachelor's and Master’s programs in Earth Sciences and Geography as well as third-cycle education. Our strongest research areas lie within climatology, ecosystem sciences, geology, and applied geoscience. The research strategy for the department emphasizes further development of Earth System Science. For more information, see www.gu.se/en/earth-sciences.

The Department of Earth Sciences invites applications for a Research Assistant position within the newly established Xylometrics Laboratory, a cutting-edge research environment dedicated to advancing microdensitometric and quantitative wood anatomical research within dendrochronology. The lab focuses primarily on wood anatomical analyses while also developing high- and low-end versions of Blue Intensity technology.

The position is funded by the ERC Consolidator grant BOREAUSTRALIS https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101170410 which is closely linked to this laboratory. The project investigates the degree to which known climate forcing is imprinted in tree-ring data and how these records compare with climate model simulations. The infrastructure aims to improve data accessibility and quality in microdensitometric techniques, building large-scale, high-quality datasets spanning both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Job assignments

You will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of a fully equipped wood anatomy laboratory and contribute to high-quality data production for climate research based on tree rings.

Your responsibilities will include:

1. maintenance and management of a state-of-the-art wood anatomy laboratory;
2. preparation of wood samples and production of microsections for quantitative wood anatomy (QWA);
3. capturing microsections using slide scanner technology;
4. participation in image analysis using ROXAS software;
5. participation in crossdating of tree-ring samples;
6. development of blue intensity (BI)-based microdensitometry data using techniques ranging from flatbed scanners to newly developed multicamera systems;
7. supporting laboratory workflows related to dendrochronological and anatomical analyses;
8. contributing to ensuring data quality and reproducibility in measurements;
9. assisting researchers and guest scientists in laboratory work and data production;
10. assisting and participating in dendrochronological sampling campaigns nationally and internationally (optional).

Requirements

You can apply if:

• You have a background in Earth sciences, biology, forestry, or a related field;
• You have experience with laboratory work, preferably involving wood anatomy or dendrochronology;
• You are familiar with microscopy, sample preparation, or image-based analysis (meritorious);
• You possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• You have experience with tree-ring analysis or crossdating (meritorious);
• You can work both independently and collaboratively in a research team;
• You can communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, suitable for an international environment.

Employment

The position is a permanent full-time appointment (100%) at the Department of Earth Sciences, Gothenburg University, with a probationary period of six months that may be applied. The position should be filled as soon as possible or no later than the end of July 2026.

The employment will begin with a one-month training period in August 2026 at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL in Birmensdorf, focusing on state-of-the-art wood anatomical data production.

What we offer

• A position in a highly interdisciplinary and internationally connected research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in climate science and dendrochronology
• Participation in an ERC-funded project with global scientific relevance
• A positive collegial atmosphere with day-to-day contacts with PhD students, MSc and BSc students and senior researchers belonging to the Xylometrics Lab, as well the Gothenburg University Laboratory for Dendrochronology

For further information regarding the position

Contact Project leader Dr. Jesper Björklund at jesper.bjorklund@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 register an account in our online recruitment system. The application must contain:

• a personal letter explaining why you are applying,
• work samples: preferably digitized microsections or other relevant samples of work for the position,
• a CV,
• relevant certificates and documentation of qualifications.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete and submitted before the deadline. Only applications submitted via the recruitment system will be considered.

The application must be received no later than 25 April 2026.

Interviews are planned to be conducted in early May 2026, and the position is expected to be filled as soon as possible thereafter.