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 Environmental Chemistry
with focus on: Bioavailability of pollutants and effects on ecosystem function.

Announced by the Department of Chemistry (www.chemistry.umu.se)

ECOCHANGE is a new governmental strategic marine research program at Umeå University (UmU) in collaboration with the Linnaeus University in Kalmar. Ecosystem dynamics in the Baltic Sea is studied in a climate change perspective. Effects of climate related changes on lower and higher trophic levels are investigated in a north-south gradient in the Baltic Sea, as well as effects on bioavailiability of pollutants and their potential to change food web function. It is an interdisciplinary project spanning from ecology and chemistry to environmental sciences.

Project description
The project is focused on effects of climate change on the bioavailability of environmental pollutants and on effects of pollutants on lower trophic levels; from microbes to metazooplankton. Effects of changes in temperature, precipitation, inflow of organic carbon and salinity will be tested. The studies will comprise sorption and bioavailability tests as well as more complex microcosm experiments. The selected chemicals will be biologically active environmental pollutants, e.g. health drugs and biocides. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) will be used as reference substances. The project includes advanced chemical analyses of these substances.

Application
The application should include a letter of intent, a certified curriculum vita that includes information on previous education, copies of the bachelor’s or master’s thesis (if available), publications and other documents supporting your competence and suitability for the position. We also want 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. Advanced course(s) in Environmental Chemistry is required and advanced course(s) in Analytical Chemistry and Ecology is qualifying.

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 Dr Peter Haglund, phone +46 (0)90-786 66 67, email: peter.haglund@chem.umu.se.

Union-related information is available from SACO, phone +46 (0)90-786 53 65, SEKO-civil, phone +46 (0)90-786 52 96 and also ST, phone +46 (0)90-786 54 31.

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.

The application period for this advert has expired.