PhD-position within Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

A PhD position in the area of environmental chemistry and microbiology is opened as part of an interdisciplinary research collaboration where we investigate how pharmaceuticals in the environment affect and are affected by freshwater consortia of microorganisms, so called biofilms. Last day to apply is May 16th, 2018.

Work description
Within the larger research project, the research for the PhD position will focus on the evaluation and characterization of natural microbial biofilms from fresh water and investigate their interaction with and influence on pharmaceuticals in the environment. The successful applicant will characterize natural multi-species microbial biofilms, construct model consortia of these biofilms and expose them to pharmaceuticals in order to investigate processes such as substance degradation and accumulation in the biofilm community as well as within its matrix. Thus, the work will consist of both microbiological and chemical tasks and analyses.

Qualifications
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level you are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry or another subject considered to be directly relevant to the specialization in question. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization or an equivalent subject.

Very good language skills in spoken and written English is required. Experience with microbiological work, microbial biofilms, genetics, environmental chemistry, and/or analytical chemistry is a merit. Creativity, power of initiative, independence and ability to collaborate is desirable.

Terms of employment
The appointment aims at a PhD degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, which includes participation in research projects as well as postgraduate courses. In the assignments, teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to four years full-time or up to five years when part-time teaching. The salary placement takes place according to the established salary level for doctoral employment.

Application
The application shall consist of the following documents written in English or Swedish:

• CV
• A personal letter with motivation why you are applying to this position
• Certified copies of course grades certificates
• Copy of graduate work (or similar, if applicable)
• Names and contact details of two persons willing to act as references

The application is submitted through our e-recruitment system. Log in and apply at the bottom of the page. Last day for application is May 16th, 2018.

For more information, contact associate professor Madeleine Ramstedt, phone +46 (0)90786 63 28, email: madeleine.ramstedt@umu.se

About us
Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University and has about 200 employees, of which approximately 40 are PhD students. The department has strong and expanding research that mainly fall within three main research and educational areas: biological chemistry, environmental and biogeochemistry, as well as technical chemistry. Furthermore, we are a strong partner within the chemical biological center (KBC) Information about PhD studies at the department can be found on our web page: http://www.teknat.umu.se/english/doctoral-studies/subjects-and-contact-persons/chemistry/. For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.