PhD student position in physical geography

Large C pools occurs mainly in tundra soils affected by cryoturbation (soil-frost driven mixing) Announced by the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG) www.emg.umu.se in collaboration with Climate Impacts Research Centre, Abisko (CIRC) Project description Tundra soils contain a significant proportion of the global carbon (C) pool.Large C pools in tundra soils affected by cryoturbation (soil-frost driven mixing).This PhD-project will test the hypothesis that the turnover of C in tundra soils is to a large extent constrained by soil-frost mixing processes, rather than temperature dependent enzymatic process which is currently the main focus of research.Central for the project are the use of radionuclides as quantitative tracers of soil mixing rates and small-scale field experiments.The CIRC facilities at the research station in Abisko will serve as a main platform for field works, but additional fieldwork will be carried out on west Greenland.The successful candidate is expected to be positioned in Umeå at the department of Ecology and Environmental Science.Application The application should include a letter of intent, certified curriculum vitae that includes information on previous education, ev.copies of the master?s thesis, publications and other documents supporting your competence and suitability for the position, and address and phone number to two reference persons.The application may be written in English or Swedish.Requirements The recruitment procedure for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen Chapter 5 and 7).Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTS credits (Swe.högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), or ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (Swe.poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence.The candidate should have education in physical geography, soil science or in associated subjects.Field work experience in remote sub-arctic environments or experience with data logging is considered a merit but not a prerequisite 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?s 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 (Sw: ?doktorandanställning?).Up to 10 % as teaching assistant may be included in the position (then the position will be extended accordingly).For more information, contact Assoc.Prof.Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.