Description of the workplace

The BAR Group at the Department of Physics, Division of Particle and Nuclear Physics at Lund University is seeking a skilled and highly motivated PhD student to work within the new research environment “Radiation Safety and Society: Building Sweden’s Interdisciplinary Capacity for the Nuclear Power of the Future.”

The Division of Particle and Nuclear Physics, which has approximately 60 employees, conducts a broad range of research in both theoretical and experimental particle and heavy-ion physics, as well as experimental nuclear physics. The BAR Group collaborates closely with the Environmental Radiology Group at Medical Radiation Physics (Faculty of Medicine, Lund University). Together, we currently comprise four university lecturers, one researcher, two project assistants, four PhD students, and two emeritus professors.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.
As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at the Science Faculty.  

Subject and project description

The recently established research environment “Radiation Safety and Society: Building Sweden’s Interdisciplinary Capacity for the Nuclear Power of the Future” — which encompasses various aspects of existing and new nuclear power — brings together researchers from four faculties at Lund University (Science, Medicine, Engineering, and Social Sciences), as well as expertise in linguistics and discourse analysis from Karlstad University. The research environment constitutes an interdisciplinary community of knowledge and practice focused on radiation safety and nuclear energy within the disciplines of physics, working environment, medical radiation physics, strategic communication, and Swedish language studies.

We are now recruiting three PhD students in three areas related to the safety and societal aspects of nuclear power:

1. environmental impacts of existing and new nuclear power (this call; physics);
2. occupational safety aspects, as well as authorities’ and industry’s understanding of current and proposed future foundations for radiation protection; and
3. communication for inclusion and understanding of radiation- and nuclear-technology-related risks.

The three PhD students will collaborate during specific phases of their doctoral education, thereby fostering interdisciplinary exchange.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. 
The PhD project will address various aspects of environmental monitoring of current and future nuclear reactors, with a particular focus on the marine environment along the Swedish west coast. The tasks include:

1. Reviewing existing national and international environmental monitoring programs for current reactor types in relation to IAEA guidelines, with a focus on tritium and carbon-14. Proposing future environmental monitoring programs for several reactor designs (including lightwater reactors and new reactor types).
2. Proposing and partly developing robust and costeffective methods for monitoring carbon-14 and organically bound tritium.
3. Conducting indepth studies of marine radioecology of carbon-14 at a nuclear power plant on the Swedish west coast. The work includes travel to sampling sites. You will take part handson in both sample collection and laboratory-based sample preparation and analysis.
4. Assessing how results from environmental monitoring at existing nuclear power plants are communicated. Identifying best practices, with a focus on clarity of language and adaptation to target audiences. This part of the PhD project will be carried out in collaboration with the other PhD students within the interdisciplinary research environment.

The duties also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20% of working time).

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

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 physics if the applicant has:

• Completed an independent project, e.g. a degree project in the relevant subject comprises at least 30 credits.

The specific entry requirements can also be fulfilled through an equivalent programme. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Qualifications other than the applicant’s subject-specific competence in Physics may be taken into consideration in order to enable interdisciplinary initiatives and important specializations in certain areas.

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required:

• completion of courses amounting to at least 60 credits that are directly relevant to the PhD education
• a strong ability to work independently and the ability to formulate and address scientific problems
• good written and oral communication skills
• good ability to collaborate
• very good proficiency in English, both spoken and written
• an interest in interdisciplinary work
• good laboratory skills
• a valid driving licence

Other qualifications 

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• knowledge of radionuclide production in nuclear power plants
• knowledge of environmental monitoring of nuclear facilities
• knowledge of marine radioecology
• previous experience with analytical methods for carbon14 and/or tritium
• good proficiency in Swedish, both spoken and written

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

More about working at Lund University on lu.se. 

About the employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting no later than 1 November 2026. Third cycle studies consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages. 

Other

Selection for admission to doctoral studies is based on the assessed ability to successfully complete the doctoral education. The assessment of this ability is primarily based on study results at the first- and second-cycle (Bachelor’s and Master’s) levels.

The following criteria will be considered:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the doctoral project and the field of study, as described under Work duties. These may be demonstrated through submitted documentation.
• Assessed ability to work independently and to formulate and address scientific problems. This assessment may, for example, be based on the degree project and a discussion thereof during a potential interview.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Other experience relevant to doctoral studies, such as professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, initiative, independence, and personal suitability, as well as to how the applicant’s experience and competence are assessed to demonstrate the ability required to complete the doctoral education.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application!