Post doctoral fellow in hydrogeology by the Department of Geology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The 2030 Agenda is the framework for sustainable development that the world’s nations have signed to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, solve the climate crisis, promote peace and equity and much more. To achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, research has several important roles: to identify challenges and conflicting objectives, contribute to new solutions, generate dialogue and learning between different societal stakeholders and critically analyse the goals. Lund University aspires to be a part of the solution and has therefore initiated a research programme on sustainable development with postdoc fellowships in interdisciplinary projects. The projects will not only constitute platforms for the postdocs’ career development, but also form a basis for national and European applications, and for future environments for excellence and profiling. The programme is also to develop the postdocs’ expertise in teaching and learning in higher education. For more information about the programme, please visit Excellence Programme for Sustainable Development | Sustainability Forum (lu.se)

Subject description
The post-doctoral fellow will work with high-detailed characterisation of aquifer systems and link them to river basins studied. Groundwater systems often reveal complex hydraulic head and geochemical distribution due to geologic heterogeneity, spatial and temporal variability, microbiology, and recharge and this complexity is not reflected in most groundwater studies and their conceptualsation therefore do not reflect real-world outcomes. Within this project we will use a range of state-of-the-art depth-discrete multilevel monitoring systems, for measurements and sampling to inform on variations in the groundwater system as these variations play an important role in controlling temporal variations in flow and water quality distribution in 3D and 4D. Targeted aquifers will be decided in cooperation with our collaborative partners. Collection of high-resolution data will enable us to feed in data for a state-of-science description of the system's vulnerability, i.e., water protection needs and variabilities in the sustainability of the groundwater system. This can be feed into a water-shed-based dynamic water budget and watershed digital twins for the description and modelling of water availability in a larger scale and help make the groundwater resources visible and communicated to participating decision-makers.

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching can also be included within first, second and third cycles studies, as well as supervision of degree projects and doctoral students, with up to 20% (including administration). The position also include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning as well as applying for more external research funding.

In this project, researchers from six faculties, Science, Engineering, Law, Economy, Humanities and Theology and Social Sciences will collaborate on developing a new framework for implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) built on high-resolution data collection and characterisation, digitalisation, big data, remote sensing, and water governance following the legal and economic structures within the family of EU water directives. This postdoc will employed for three years at the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, working with high-detailed characterisation of aquifer systems and linking them to the river basins studied. The project works tight with collaborative partners within industy and the wider society, mainly within Sweden, but also within Europe and North America.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD degree, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Applications from persons without a finished PhD degree can be accepted, but the requirement of a PhD degree needs to be fulfilled before the position starts. Under special circumstances, the PhD degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• PhD-degree in Hydrogeology or other subject relevant to the tasks of the position.
• Knowledge and understanding on a PhD-level within hydrogeology and shown experience therein, either as peer-reviewed published articles or comparable skills within your professional experience.
• A demonstrated broad interest in societal sustainability aspects is qualifying as well as interest in public management and economics.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English demonstrated by publications, essays or equivalent in English is required.

The position involves creative and varied work, and the Postdoc will become a member of a dynamic and multifaceted research group. We imagine that the successful candidate has an inner drive and is devoted and motivated to work within environmental water research. We are looking for an independent and creative person with a broad scientific and societal interest who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with national authorities, contractors, and consultants as well as Swedish and foreign scientists, and accordingly, the applicant should be able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Documented experience in teaching at undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate level

Additional meritorious competencies:

• Demonstrated ability of speaking and understanding the Swedish language is beneficial.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the project group and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time employment of three years. Preferred start date is no later than February 1st 2024. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow” between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S. The appointment is expected to take place in the first half of 2024.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.

A personal letter needs to be included, justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications (500-750 words). You need briefly describe who you are, why you are interested in research in hydrogeology at Lund University and how your experiences can be connected to the 2030 Agenda.

Documentation and certificates on previous education, previous work experiences, abilities, is required.

Welcome to apply!