项目介绍

2025年1月31日

The Department of Soil and Environment is a leading soil research institution, both nationally and internationally. Our research focuses on fundamental soil properties and processes, as well as how soil functions are affected by changes in environmental conditions, including climate change. Through research, environmental analysis and education, we contribute knowledge about future sustainable land use and develop new solutions as a basis for decision-making in agriculture, forestry and the urban environment. The working environment at the department is international and we have around 100 employees.

Our research is carried out in seven subject groups with a focus on Soil Biology, Soil Nutrient Cycling, Soil Chemistry, Agricultural Water Management, Soil and Environmental Physics, Soil Mechanics and Soil Management, and the Biogeochemistry of Forest Soils. 

Read more about the department here (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/soil-environment/).

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/

Soil Sciences – Water Quality Management

Description:

This fully funded PhD position is available under the recently launched Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Networks (DN) project “BEYOND” Beyond the current: Improving European flowing waters in an era of global change. BEYOND will train the next generation of water professionals who will deliver scientific and technological innovation across disciplines, institutions and countries needed to solve European water quality problems in an era of global change.

The aim of this PhD position is to explore long-term high-frequency (sub-hourly) water quality data from BEYOND experimental catchments to advance understanding of concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships in diverse rivers and their catchments. The concentration-discharge relationship encapsulates information on hydrological and biogeochemical processes and can provide information on dominant pollution pressures. The objectives of this PhD project include: 1) to establish C-Q relationships for multi-pollutants in diverse catchments and varying climatic conditions across temporal scales; 2) to explain dominant processes encapsulated in the C-Q relationships; and 3) to test turbidity, conductivity, and UV-absorbance high-frequency measurements as proxies for multi-pollutants. As part of this PhD position, the Doctoral Candidate will have an opportunity to take part in short visits and secondments to BEYOND partners (Ulster University, CEAB-CSIC, INRAE, INTEL, Irish EPA and LUODE) for additional training and knowledge exchange.  

The project will be supervised by Associate Professor Magdalena Bieroza (SLU, Sweden), Senior Researcher Susana Bernal (CEAB-CSIC, Spain) and Professor Phil Jordan (University of Ulster, UK). 

The position duration is four years. You will be based in the Department of Soil and Environment (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/soil-environment/) located in Uppsala in Sweden. 

More information on BEYOND project and PhD selection process can be found at the following websites: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169293 and https://www.slu.se/beyond  

Qualifications:

The candidates must have an MSc (or an equivalent) degree in environmental sciences, hydrology, hydrochemistry, stream ecology or a related discipline. A solid background in statistical data analysis is an important asset.  

• Have potential for conducting outstanding research, as demonstrated by scientific accomplishments (in particular quality of MSc thesis, but also e.g. code repositories, conference presentations, outreach activities, or publications).
• Be interested in working in a multidisciplinary and international research environment.
• Have excellent communication skills in English, verbally as well as in scientific writing.
• Be willing to undertake international travel for training and research activities of BEYOND and project-specific short-visits and secondments at partner institutions.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must also meet the following criteria:

1) be of any nationality, but must not have resided or carried out main activity in Sweden for more than 12 months in the last 36 months;

2) have not yet been awarded a PhD degree.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, nationality, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. The work language will be English.

Selection process

The applications must be received by 15^th of March 2025 including the following documents (all strictly in PDF format):

• Curriculum vitae,
• Master [alternatively, the expected graduation date of Master degree] and Bachelor diplomas (in a single PDF file),
• Master and Bachelor grades’ transcripts (in a single PDF file),
• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max 1 A4 page),
• A research statement describing how your expertise and previous experience align with the PhD project objectives (200 words),
• The names of at least two reference persons (provide names and contact details) who can provide information on your research performance.

The applicants must fill the BEYOND application form following the URL below https://forms.gle/rKrwomLcZr7Dwm9L9

The applicants are encouraged to apply for up to three different BEYOND PhD positions but please note that you have to apply for them separately via relevant institutional websites. Please check the details at https://www.slu.se/beyond  

Salary

The monthly gross salary consists of a country-dependent living allowance, a mobility allowance (EUR 600), and, if applicable, a family allowance (EUR 495). Long-term leave allowance and special needs allowance are offered if applicable. In Sweden monthly living allowance is EUR 4263. Please note this is a gross monthly salary subject to social fees and tax deductions.

Place of work:

Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:

Employment 4 years

Starting date:

The expected start date for this position is between 1^st of July and 30^th of September 2025.

Application:

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-03-15. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted within 1 month from the closing date.

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: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/

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:

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.

Contact person

Magdalena Bieroza

Docent

magdalena.bieroza@slu.se

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12113&rmlang=UK