PhD student position in geochemistry

Umeå University - with its 33,000 students and over 4,000 employees - is an organisation in constant change and development.Umeå University conducts groundbreaking research within several areas - several in which we are among the best in the world - within others regarded as the leaders in Sweden.We are one of Sweden?s largest providers of education and offer a broad and attractive range of courses and programmes.Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment for everyone that studies and works here.We wish to co-operate with companies and organisations throughout the Umeå region and all over the world.PhD student position in geochemistry Project The project is concerned with phosphorous-containing substances and processes that control the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorous.The overall objective is to obtain fundamental and molecular-scale knowledge about reactions that transfers phosphorous into forms available for biological production.Many of these reactions occur at water-particle interfaces and therefore the project has a strong focus on surface chemical phenomena.Specifically the successful candidate will use several experimental and theoretical techniques including vibration spectroscopy and synchrotron-based methods to determine the structure and reactivity of phosphate species formed at naturally occurring Fe(III) phases/complexes and to determine the mechanisms and rates of enzymatic and mineral-promoted hydrolysis of adsorbed organophosphates.The project is carried out within a multidisciplinary research group of chemists and ecologists.Application The application should include a letter of intent, certified curriculum vitae that includes information on previous education, copies of master or bachelor thesis if available, publications and other documents supporting the competence and suitability for the position.We also want e-mail address and phone number to two reference persons.The application may be written in English or Swedish.Requirements Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTS credits of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), or ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (corresponding to 180 ECTS credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence.Priority will be given to candidates with documented knowledge in (1) surface chemistry and spectroscopy, (2) soil chemistry and geochemistry.The successful applicant should have good ability to write and speak in English, creativity, power of initiative, independence and ability to collaborate.Evaluations will be based on results on University courses, quality of master or bachelor thesis, references, interviews and the letter of intent.A PhD education is 4 years (48 months) and the PhD student will get a formal position at the start of the project (Swedish ?doktorandanställning?).Up to 20 % as teaching assistant may be included in the position (then the position will be extended accordingly).