Phd student – Effects of wetland restoration on methylmercury in water

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
The Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment (www.slu.se/aquatic-sciences) is working with applied environmental science, with a national responsibility for assessing the condition of Swedish surface waters with respect to water chemistry, pollution and aquatic biota. The department has some 140 employees. The research focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, as well as on aquatic ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry. The department is part of a Soil-Water-Environment cluster, a recently established competence centre for landscape-level processes that also includes the Departments of ‘Soil and Environment’ and ‘Energy and Technology’. The breadth of expertise among the 300 members in combination with a well-equipped infrastructure creates a unique platform for high quality research as well as environmental monitoring and assessment.

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/

PhD-student in Environmental Assessment: How does wetland restoration effect the formation and mobilization of methylmercury in forest surface waters?
Description:
Sweden has extensively drained forest wetlands over the last 150 years to improve forest productivity. There is strong societal interest to restoring drained wetlands with the aim to increase biodiversity, sequester carbon and retain water in the forest landscape. However, the scientific knowledge behind wetland restoration efforts is limited. A potential risk of wetland restoration is an increased formation and mobilization of bioavailable methylmercury.

Within the framework of this doctoral position, the restoration of different types of wetlands will be investigated with respect to methylmercury in water. You will be part of a larger research program that aims to evaluate where and how wetlands can be restored to maximize benefits and minimize risks. The PhD studies include fieldwork and laboratory analyses using both geochemical and microbiological methods. You are expected to perform data collection, documentation, data analysis and interpretation, as well as compile research results into articles.

Qualifications:
Required:

The candidate must have a master degree in environmental science, hydrology, limnology, microbial ecology or related field, before the position is being formally offered. The candidate should have a strong work ethic, an interest in science, and the ambition to work as part of a collaborative research team in an international and interdisciplinary context. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required. Driving license is needed in order to conduct the field work.

Desirable:


• Field based and laboratory research experiences in biogeochemistry and/or microbiology
• Experience with data handling, analysis, and visualization in R (or other programming languages)
• Experience of scientific writing (research articles, reports or similar)
• Independent problem solving, flexibility and good interpersonal skills

Place of work:
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years)

Starting date:
As soon as possible.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-11-23.

The application should include:


• Cover letter that includes a summary of scientific background and a statement explaining how this research project and PhD experience fit into the applicant’s career plan.
• CV summarizing education, work experience, research profile and other merits.
• Contact information for two personal references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). No reference letters need to be submitted with the application.
• Master thesis and list of publications (reports, scientific articles, popular science, etc).
• Degree certificates

Please note that all documents should be in English. Interviews will be an important part of the appointment process.

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, or equivalent, 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/

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



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.