Lund University, Faculty of Science, Department of Geology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Environmental impacts of large volcanic eruptions during historical time based on varved lake sediments

Major volcanic eruptions of the type that occurs on average once per century can give rise to serious consequences for the environment and humanity. Written accounts from massive eruptions during historical time, for example Laki 1783 and Tambora 1815, provide evidence of long-lasting sulphuric haze, vegetation damage, extensive crop failure, starvation and highly increased human mortality. In order to increase the knowledge about this type of naturally induced sulphate deposition events, we will investigate yearly laminated (varved) lake sediments with high temporal resolution. Direct and indirect ecosystem responses in lakes and their catchments will be analysed based on diatom analysis in combination with geochemical investigations, primarily in the form of content and speciation of sulphur, iron and mercury in sediments deposited during and after well-documented volcanic eruptions of large magnitude during the last millennium. Synchrotron light based analyses of frozen sediment samples at the MAX IV facility in Lund will form part of the project.

Assignment
The main tasks of the PhD student will be sampling, dating and characterization of varved sediments from Sweden, Finland and Germany, and comparison with historical documents. The sediment sampling will take place from ice in winter followed by sample treatment in a freezer compartment and dating by varve counting, 137Cs, 210Pb and 14C, if possible complemented by geochemical characterization of volcanic ash (tephrochronology). Environmental effects of volcanic sulphate deposition will be studied by diatom analysis, possibly in combination with other biostratigraphic methods, and geochemistry (X-ray fluorescence and photoelectron spectrometry). Testing and development of synchrotron-based analyses of sediments by X-ray absorption spectrometry will form an important part of the project.

Qualification requirements

  • A MSc. (or equivalent) in earth sciences, geology, physical geography or biology with a strong focus on palaeoecology and sediment stratigraphy.
  • Documented experience of diatom analysis of lake sediments, preferably in combination with sediment geochemistry.
  • Good communication skills and ability to work independently as well as in a group.
  • Interest in and ability to participate in winter fieldwork.
  • In addition, the applicant needs to be able work at other locations in Sweden and abroad, primarily in Umeå and Belfast, during extended periods (weeks to months).

Desirable

  • Experience of scientific publishing in English.
  • Experience of analysis and dating of varved lake sediments.
  • Experience of synchrotron-based (XAS) and/or conventional X-ray spectroscopic (XPS) techniques.
  • Experience of tephro-chronological approaches to lake sediments.

We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years with Swedish social security benefits. The research subject is Geobiosphere Sciences and the position will be placed at the Department of Geology, Lund University.

The application for the advertised position must include:

  • A letter of interest that describes the applicant’s background, interests and ambitions in relation to the project (one page).
  • CV comprising date of birth and complete listing of BSc. and MSc. grades, plus contact information of previous employers or internship advisors.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • A PDF file (or link for downloading) listing publications including MSc. or BSc. theses.
  • Name and contact details of at least two references.

Project leader and main supervisor is Prof. Dan Hammarlund, Department of Geology, Lund University, assisted by colleagues at Lund University, Umeå University and Queen’s University Belfast.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment 1st of November 2018 or in accordance to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2018/2411
Contact
  • Dan Hammarlund, Professor, 046 222 79 80, dan.hammarlund@geol.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 03.Jul.2018
Last application date 07.Sep.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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