PhD position in Environmental Science

PhD position in Environmental Science with focus on Analysis of pre-industrial pollution and its sources Doktorandtjänst i miljövetenskap med inriktning mot analys av förindustriella metallföroreningar och deras källor The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science has about 170 members including 50 PhD students.For more information see the department's homepage www.emg.umu.se/en.See also www.umu.se/english for a general presentation of Umeå and the University.The objective of this PhD project is to advance knowledge about pre-industrial atmospheric pollution and its sources, based on multi-element (XRF and ICP-MS) and multivariate analysis of lake sediment and peat cores.The past atmospheric deposition of metals will be reconstructed for the past several thousand years.Examples of specific questions to be addressed are: What was the pre-industrial atmospheric history of pollutant metals?Can the source regions be specifically identified for early pollution (e.g.eastern, central, western Europe), and what was the contribution from historical Swedish mining?What were the natural background metal deposition rates?Can source regions for natural soil dust be identified?The results of this study will have important implications for: i) research on the long-term changes in the biogeochemical cycling of pollutant metals; ii) developing environmental management goals based on natural reference conditions; iii) historical studies of early mining in Sweden.PhD students normally spend 90% of the year working on their research and studies, and spend 10% on teaching or other departmental duties; thus the position would last for 4 years and 6 months.The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen Chapters 5 and 7).Applicants must fulfill one of the following prerequisites: (1) 240 ECTS-credits (Swe.högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level); furthermore, 120 credits must be in environmental science or related subjects (e.g.geoscience, chemistry) and 15 in environmental science (or related) at the advanced level; or (2) 120 Swedish credits (Swe.poäng) if the studies were completed prior to July 1, 2007; or (3) the equivalent of a Bachelors of Science with Honors (BSc, Hon.) and/or a Masters of Science (MSc).Relevant fields of study include geoscience, soil science or biogeochemistry.In addition to the above, the following criteria are valuable merits: completed coursework in chemistry and in statistical analysis; analytical experience, especially for metals (e.g.within a thesis-level project); field sampling experience (e.g.lake sediments, soils).Your application must include: a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the position; a CV including relevant academic degrees and former positions, a list of university courses you have taken and the grades you were given, copies of degree certificates; your bachelor's/master's thesis and other publications (if any); and the names and contact details of two reference persons.Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-302-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive April 30, 2009 at the latest.