PhD position in earthworm bioturbation

The Department of Soil & Environment is a leading center for soil science, nationally and internationally. We conduct research, environmental monitoring & assessment and higher education for sustainable soil management in agricultural, forest and urban environments. Outcomes are aligned to and contribute towards national and international strategies on food security, national environmental objectives and climate reporting as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The majority of the department’s activities are located in the Soil-Water-Environment center at the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala with one research group situated in Skara.

Description:
The overall aim of the PhD project is to quantify the dynamics, rates, and total annual amount of bioturbation by earthworms. Within the project, the candidate will monitor bioturbation under field conditions in Sweden, and perform experiments under controlled conditions to obtain bioturbation rates for different species as functions of soil conditions. Based on these data, the candidate will propose a framework to simulate bioturbation rates, and apply this framework to current and future climate. The successful applicant will actively develop the project and design the experiments.

Qualifications:
The applicant should have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in environmental science, earth sciences, engineering, biology, ecology, agronomy or similar. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in interactions between soil biology and soil physics. Expertise in soil physics, soil mechanics and soil biology is desirable. Programming skills, experience in planning and executing field and laboratory experiments, and experience in scientific writing will count as merits. The applicant should have the ability to work both independently and in a team.

Excellent knowledge of English (writing and oral communication skills). Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage.

Drivers licence B is an advantage.

Place of work:      
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
PhD student, 4 years

Starting date:
1st of July or according to agreement

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2022-05-29.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

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

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

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



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

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.

www.slu.se