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.

Generated through convective motions in the liquid iron core, the Earth’s magnetic field acts as a shield against harmful cosmic radiation and is a fundamental component for the habitability of our planet. The cosmic rays that do reach Earth’s atmosphere leave a trail of cosmogenic radionuclides that can be used to study past variations in the geomagnetic field, solar activity, atmospheric circulation patterns and the carbon cycle. By studying geomagnetic field variations at the Earth’s surface, we can also learn more about the deep Earth where the field is generated.

The announced PhD positions are part of the ERC project “Core dynamics on millennial timescales (PALEOCORE)”. The project will use novel statistical methods to jointly model variations in geomagnetic field, core surface flow, solar activity and climate related processes based on a combination of sedimentary geomagnetic field records and high-resolution cosmogenic radionuclide data from polar ice cores and tree-ring archives. The method will be applied to different time periods, including the Laschamps excursion 41,000 years ago when the geomagnetic field briefly collapsed. The project will provide unique information about the Sun, the carbon cycle during glacial times and deep Earth processes responsible for the geomagnetic field collapse.

Work duties

This project will focus primarily on developing innovative methods to address: (i) climate processes influencing the atmospheric mixing and deposition of 10Be and 14C in natural archives, and (ii) chronological uncertainties in stratified archives that are of fundamental importance for reconstructing geomagnetic field and core surface flow on millennial timescales. The PhD student will be part of a larger research team here in Lund that includes experts on computational methods and Bayesian statistics, climate/aerosol and geomagnetic field/core flow modelling as well as experts on cosmic rays. The project will also involve close interaction with associated research teams in France, Germany and USA as well as the ice core community.

Work environment

The doctoral students will be enrolled in the PhD program in Computational Science (https://www.science.lu.se/sites/science.lu.se/files/2024-10/ASP_computational-science.pdf) and placed at the Department of Geology at Lund University. 

Admission requirements

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

  • 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.

Additional requirements:

  • When starting, the applicant is expected to hold a university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Earth Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Meteorology or a closely related field.
  • The degree must contain at least 30 credits in mathematics and at least 7.5 credits in programming.
  • Documented very good oral and written proficiency in English.

We are looking for a creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with international researchers and the ability to work independently.

The following qualifications are an advantage, but not required:

  • Documented experience with Bayesian methods and mathematical modelling.

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:

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

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

Type of employment

This employment is today placed at the department of Geology. From January 1st 2026 your employment will be placed at the newly formed department of Earth and Environmental Sciences due to a planned co-organization. This will give you a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic development process and give you an opportunity to contribute to a new interdisciplinary department. 

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§. Startdate 2025-05-01 or due agreement. 

Instructions on 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 (if awarded at the time of application) or equivalent, BSc and MSc transcripts, a copy of the MSc thesis (or equivalent, or a summary if the thesis is not completed at the time of application) and other documents you wish to be considered. While we ask you to include contact information for one to three references, actual letters of recommendation are not needed at this stage. Candidates will be called for an interview before appointment.

We appreciate your interest in our position and look forward to receiving your complete application.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment 2025-05-01 eller enl ÖK
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2025/277
Contact
  • Andreas Nilsson, +46462223955, andreas.nilsson@geol.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, st@st.lu.se
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, kansli@saco-s.lu.se, kansli@saco-s.lu.se
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366, sekocivil@seko.lu.se
Published 30.Jan.2025
Last application date 09.Mar.2025 11:59 PM CET
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