Doctoral student in physical geography and ecosystem science

This PhD Project will work on the further development, testing and application of the LPJ-GUESS biosphere model for modelling tropical wetlands and estimating tropical methane emissions. The work is part of the EU-funded project IM4CA (https://im4ca.eu).

Work duties

The PhD student will carry out research related to the objectives of IM4CA. In particular, this project will employ a wetland CH4 emissions module for the African Tropics and provide bottom-up wetlands emission estimates. As a first step the tropical wetland CH4 emissions module will be developed based on the existing wetlands formulation in the global dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS. As a next step, the process parameters of the improved module will be calibrated against local CH4 flux measurements representing tropical biomes. This calibration step will be based on a Bayesian optimisation approach that needs to be refined for this purpose here. The calibrated module will then be used to estimate pan-tropical wetlands CH4 emissions over the recent past.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

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.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science if he or she has:

• at least 60 credits at Master’s level in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science or comparable programme
  
  

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge of a higher programming language

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.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience with global dynamic vegetation models
• Knowledge of the global carbon cycle, in particular methane fluxes

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.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

The advertised position will be located at Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science by the Faculty of Science in 2025, to be transferred to the newly formed Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences within the same faculty from 1 January 2026.

By merging the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science and the Department of Geology in a joint and co-located organisation, the new department will strengthen the link between different research fields, develop new educational programmes and promote collaboration with society.

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 or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!