PhD position in Earth Science – Carbon cycling in inland waters - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (Umeå University, Sweden) invites applicants for a PhD position on carbon cycling in inland waters. The expected starting date for the PhD position is June 01, 2021 but this can be negotiated. Application deadline is April 23, 2021.

Project description
A major challenge of our time is to understand the exchange of greenhouse gases between continents and the atmosphere, and how this is affected by a changing climate. Inland waters (lakes, streams, rivers) play an important role in the global carbon cycle by emitting carbon to the atmosphere and burying carbon in sediments. This project will assess climate impacts on carbon emission, burial and export from whole networks of inland waters. You will compile empirical data along climate gradients, and use these data together with existing and own developed models to project carbon cycling in inland waters with changing climate conditions (temperature, precipitation/runoff) and how the response depend on the configuration of the inland water networks. The project includes physically demanding field work, normally hiking or skiing with heavy equipment to remote locations in forest or mountain region of northern Sweden. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with other members of the project.

The position is financed by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and Umeå University. Jan Karlsson will be principal supervisor.

Admission requirements
The recruitment procedure for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance. Prerequisites include 240 ECTS credits (Swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), or equivalent competence.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in physical geography the applicant should have approved courses in subject relevant for physical geography of at least 120 ECTS credits (2 years). This should include at least one course on advanced level in physical geography or a similar relevant field as well as a 15 ECTS credits independent project in physical geography or a similar relevant field. The requirements should be met at the time of acceptance to doctoral studies.

Additional requirements for this position are good knowledge of the processes controlling carbon cycling in inland waters and experience of modelling. Driver’s license for cars is also required. You should have good ability to carry out physically demanding fieldwork in summer and winter and experience of using programming languages (such as Matlab, R, or Python). The successful applicant should have good ability to write and speak in English, creativity, power of initiative, independence, and ability to collaborate. Evaluations will be based on the application and on interviews.

Terms for the employment
The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree and the main assignment for the doctoral student is thus to be part of the research education, which includes participation in the described research project but also to take relevant courses. Teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to equivalent of four years at full time or up to five years if teaching and other departmental work is performed. The salary is fixed according to the established salary level for doctoral students.

Application
You apply through our recruitment system on April 23, 2021 at the latest. The application may be written in English or Swedish.

The application should include

1. A short (max 2 pages) description of why you are interested in the position
2. CV
3. Certified copy of certificates from higher education
4. List of completed university courses and the grades
5. Copy of publications/degree thesis
6. Contact information of 3 reference persons

Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.

Contact
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Jan Karlsson, jan.p.karlsson@umu.se

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science carries out research and postgraduate education in ecology, environmental science and physical geography. The department has about 120 employees, 24 of whom are PhD students. For more information, visit https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/.