Doctoral student in Water Resources Engineering focusing on aquatic ecology and biodiversity

Description of the workplace 

The current position will be placed at the Division of Water Resources Engineering, Department of Building and Environmental Technology. Here, research and teaching pursue the understanding of how water resides and is transported in nature and urban systems from an engineering perspective. This includes, but is not limited to, comprehension and modeling of the components of the hydrological cycle as well as geospatial modeling of water quality and quantity in agricultural systems. At the division, there are about 35 employees and around 20 PhD students. The current position is within the Water quality Group. 

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology has a stimulating and international environment consisting of PhD students, postdocs and teachers from many parts of the world. Here, research and teaching take place in an open and progressive climate with challenges and collaborations both within academia and with industry partners, both nationally and internationally. The work environment is characterized by commitment, collaboration, creativity and personal responsibility.

Project description

The position is mainly finansed by the CyaNoServices project. The project is led by internationally renowned researchers with interdisciplinary research expertise in understanding three key aspects of cyanobacterial bloom phenomena: causes of bloom formation, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and management through sustainable and technology-driven solutions.

You will be a part of the team of this multidiscipinary international project contributing to the better understanding of the role of harmful cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems and interactions between the aquatic-terrestrial interface including the provisioning of key ecosystem services. 

Work duties

The main duties of the position are to conduct research within the project, more specifically sampling data and conducting experiments such as phytoplankton studies, cyanotoxin investigation, statistical analyses and modelling of data as well as writing scientific publications. Your work also includes stakeholder interactions, for example interviewing and communicating with farmers and other stakeholdes.

This is an interdisciplinary project and you will also be involoved with beekeeping and pollination studies. You will have opportunity to visit Denmark, Spain and Brazil for field work and collaboration with project partners and experience their different working environments.

Furthermore, third cycle courses related to the doctoral education are included into the position The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%). You will also be provided opportunities to connect to he water industry and work with digital tranformation for water quality monitoring and management.  

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Water Resources Engineering if the applicant has: 

• At least 120 credits in subjects of relevance to the field of research, including at least 75 second-cycle credits in a relevant field for the subject area, or
• A second-cycle degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or similar.

Additional requirements

• Good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented experience in aquatic ecology, biology or water resources engineering.
• Experience of conducting independent work in the laboratory or the field.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience. 

Other assessment criteria

• Drivers license
• Experience in beekeeping 

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Terms of employment 

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!