Phd in Soil Science/Environmental physics

The Department of Soil and Environment is looking for a new PhD-student. The department conducts research, environmental analysis and education in soil science and sustainable land use. The soil and environmental physics research group is based in the soil-water-environment building at the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala. The majority of the department's activities and employees are located in the Soil-Water-Environment building on the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala, and there is a research group with a field research station situated in Skara.

Effects of aluminium oxides and soil structure on the carbon storage capacity of Swedish agricultural soils
Description:
Soils have a large potential to sequester carbon and thereby help mitigate climate change. Recent research shows that oxalate-extractable aluminium (Alox) concentrations correlate strongly with soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. This PhD project aims at evaluating the role of Alox in the protection of soil organic matter from microbial decomposition. Soil structure (i.e. the spatial arrangement of solids and pores) is strongly affected by SOC. In turn, both carbon inputs through roots and litter and outputs through microbial decomposition are intimately linked to soil structure. These aspects will also be studied in the project. The work is connected to other ongoing projects on soil structure and its interactions with SOC carried out at the Department of Soil and Environment.

Duties

The PhD student will conduct research in soil and environmental physics, with a focus on the effects of aluminium oxides and soil structure on SOC turnover. Duties include field sampling, conducting soil incubation experiments, chemical extractions and analysis, root analysis, processing and analysis of X-ray tomography images and writing scientific articles. As a PhD-student you should also take third cycle courses, develop your skills in scientific methods including data analysis and scientific communication. The successful applicant is expected to actively develop the project. There are also opportunities for the PhD-student to participate in teaching.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in soil and environmental physics. The required qualification for this position is a degree in soil science, environmental sciences, environmental engineering or similar. The applicant should have the ability to work both independently and in a team, to take initiatives and have good communication skills. The working language is English and good skills in English (both written and oral) are required.

Place of work:      
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment 4 years

Starting date:
April-May 2021 or according to agreement

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2021-02-09, use the button below.

 

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.