Doctoral student in Environmental science

Welcome to Linnaeus University! We meet the societal challenges of today and tomorrow in a spirit of openness, curiosity and creativity. By creating arenas for exchange of knowledge from different subjects, fields and cultures, we open up for new ideas and create new opportunities for long-term sustainable societal development. Linnaeus University – where people grow.

This position is based at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, at the Department of Biology and Environmental Science. The research profile at this department is multidisciplinary and includes e.g. aquatic ecology, cell- and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, zoonotic ecology and epidemiology, environmental science, climate research, environmental chemistry, environmental risk assessment and paleoecology.

 

Field of subject for the appointment: Environmental Science

Admission subject: The studies carried out in the project are designed to lead to a PhD in Environmental science.

Placement city: Kalmar, Sweden

Terms of employment: According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.

 

Job description

The PhD project is about a group of metals, the so called “technology-critical elements” (TCEs), for which there is currently a dramatic increase in use and demand. The project will be part of a research program funded by the Swedish Research Council (https://lnu.se/en/research/searchresearch/research-projects/projecttechnology-critical-elements-soil-crop-transfer-oral-bioaccessibility-and-toxicity/). The working tasks will be of multi-disciplinary character and consist of research in toxicology, risk analysis and environmental chemistry.

The aim of this PhD project is to increase our understanding of the TCEs potential as future soil and food contaminants and the risks they may pose to humans exposed to these media. First, the TCE uptake by crops from agricultural soils and its link to soil geochemistry will be studied. Second, to gain knowledge about the TCE uptake after oral exposure and thus these elements’ potential to reach systemic circulation and potential target organs in humans, you will study the oral bioaccessibility through the use of in vitro tests in the lab. This part of the studies is conducted in collaboration with the British Geological Survey in Nottingham, UK. Third, to contribute to the understanding of the elements toxic properties and the possible negative health effects that may occur in humans after oral exposure, we will use a panel of cell-based in vitro assays set up at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala.

Requirements

A person fulfils the general entry requirements if he/she


• has been awarded a degree on second-cycle level
• completed the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which 60 credits on second-cycle level, or
• in another way, in Sweden or abroad, has acquired principally equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements also include


• knowledge in the fields of toxicology, risk analysis and environmental chemistry
• a high proficiency in written and spoken English
• good ability to solve problems
• have the ability to work independently as well as interact well in a research group.

Assessment grounds


• documented experience of working in research projects, preferably within one or several of the subject areas relevant for this application
• documented experience of fieldwork and laboratory work
• documented experience of data analyses, statistical analysis and programming
• we attach great importance to personal suitability.

Contacts:

Head of department Jonas Waldenström, Jonas.waldenstrom@lnu.se

Research leader Anna Augustsson, anna.augustsson@lnu.se               

Human resources consultant Leif Eriksson, leif.eriksson@lnu.se        

To apply

The application (in English) should contain a CV (with telephone, e-mail, and contact details of two reference persons), documentation of exams and grades, and a description of motivation and experience relevant to the position.

All documents cited must be received by the university no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day February 6, 2022. Start date planned for May 2022.


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the Apply button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.