The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 53 500 students and 6 500 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Earth Sciences has around 70 employees. We have bachelor and master programs in Earth Sciences and in Geography as well as third-cycle education in several Earth Science subjects. Our main research themes are “Climate and Climate Change”, “Earth Surface Processes” and “The Geosphere” and the research strategy of the department emphasizes on further development of Earth System Science.

The PhD student will work with the Biogeochemistry/Ecosystem Sciences research group (www.gu.se/en/research/biogeochemistry-0) at the Department of Earth Sciences, which consists of two professors, one senior lecturer, three researchers, four doctoral students, and five technical staff. Our research concerns how biogeochemical cycles are influenced by climate and their potential feedback mechanisms, where we especially try to find mitigations for ecosystem greenhouse gas emissions. Our research is embedded in the Strategic Research Area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate; www.becc.lu.se/), which brings together scientists from natural and social sciences to perform research essential in understanding the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services. BECC also hosts a PhD School (ClimBEco). The group runs the research station Skogaryd (www.gu.se/en/earth-sciences/skogaryd-research-catchment-0), which is included in the infrastructure network SITES (Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Sciences) and ICOS-Sweden. The group also host a large pool of state-of-the-art equipment for stable isotope and elemental analyses.

Job assignments

The Department of Earth Sciences is looking to recruit a PhD student to work in collaboration with the Ecosystem Sciences group. The PhD project will deal with biogeochemical cycles at a landscape scale in a forested landscape. The experimental work will be conducted at the research station Skogaryd and will focus on the gross cycling of the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur by use of isotope (15N, 33P, 34S) tracer approaches, soil carbon dynamics and/or exchange of greenhouse gases. The specific research plan will be developed together with the successful candidate and potential research questions include coupled biogeochemical cycles; temporal and spatial variation of biogeochemical processes; effects of land-use on biogeochemical cycles; and emission of greenhouse gases from ecosystems. Method development can also be part of the project. The candidates should provide a short research outline with their application (see “How to apply”).

Eligibility

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements:

- To be admitted to doctoral studies it is required that you have been awarded a second-cycle qualification,

- or have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle,

- or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Eligible for this position are those that have studied Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biology or related fields.

Good oral and written proficiency in English is required.

 

Assessment

The applicant is expected to have a strong background in a relevant research field, such as Environmental Science or Earth Science. Good knowledge of biogeochemical cycles and experience in using isotope tools is a merit. Laboratory and/or fieldwork skills are valuable as well as interdisciplinary experience. The quality of the research outline will also be assessed.

Employment

Type of employment: Temporary employment, HF 5 kap 7§ Doktorandanställning
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Earth Sciences, Gothenburg
First day of employment: 1 October, 2021 or on agreement.

 

Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1998:80. Only those who are admitted to third-cycle studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. They may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research and administration according to the regulations.

The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. The total employment period may not exceed the time corresponding to full-time third-cycle studies for four years.

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University.

 

For further information regarding the position

For further information regarding the position, please contact Professir Tobias Rütting, tobias.rutting@gvc.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services

https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

The application should include:

  • A cover letter with a motivation that describes the applicant’s suitability for the position (maximum one A4 page)
  • A Curriculum vitae including education, qualifications, and previous experience
  • A copy of examination certificates and a transcript of courses with grades
  • A copy of the master thesis (or equivalent), or another relevant publications
  • A research outline on one specific research question within the framework of this project (landscape biogeochemistry). The outline should be written in English and include research question, hypotheses and a brief description of the experimental outline and planned methods. No references are needed (maximum one A4 page).
  • Other documents deemed important by the applicant
  • Contact information for at least two references that are familiar with the applicant’s qualifications.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made based on the qualifications stated in the announcement.

Closing date: 2021-07-27

 

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.