Research assistant, Soil and Environmental Physics

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.

Duties:
The candidate will work in a research project carried out in the Soil and Environmental Physics group at SLU. In this project, we are studying how soil moisture influences carbon mineralization in structured soils. The successful candidate will be responsible for incubation experiments with soil samples maintained at different water contents, during which carbon mineralization is measured. Soil structure and the distribution of air and water in the soil pore system will be quantified by X-ray tomography.

The tasks include sample preparation, X-ray scanning/image analysis, carrying out the incubation experiments, measurement and data collection, documentation, presentation and analysis of the raw data from the experiments. A systematic literature search and a synthesis of the literature, carried out together with collaborating researchers, can also be a part of the work.     

Qualifications:
A University degree at Masters level is required (e.g. in Soil or Environmental Sciences) which includes subject courses relevant for the position, especially those dealing with physical and microbiological processes in soils. Knowledge and hands-on experience of the methods used in the project (e.g. incubation experiments, X-ray) would be an advantage, as is other work experience after graduation relevant to the position. The ability of the candidate to document their ability to clearly analyze and summarize complex data will also be considered.

Proficiency in English (both spoken and written) is required.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment of 12 months, with possible extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
2022-04-01 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-02-28, use the button below.

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