PhD position in Geochemistry at the Department of Geological Sciences. Reference number SU FV-2682-14. Deadline for applications: November 20, 2014

Title

Terrestrial organic matter and emissions of carbon trace gases from Arctic surface waters determined by isotopes and micrometeorology Geochemistry

Project description

High northern latitudes are warming twice as fast as the planetary average since the 1950s, a trend projected to continue. The area of permafrost, underlying most existing northern wetlands and coastal shelves, will be strongly affected. Vulnerable system processes influenced by a changing climate include shrinking sea ice cover, carbon-greenhouse gas release from thawing permafrost and CH4 hydrates and changes in the distribution and fate of organic carbon in northern lacustrine and marine systems.  The result is that the Arctic will provide positive feedback to atmospheric warming, through release of stored soil carbon as CO2 and through increased production of CH4. Arctic lakes and coastal oceans are major and often overlooked sources of CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere. Arctic surface waters are perched on or are the terminal receptacles for organic matter mobilized during thawing of permafrost terrains as climate warms. They act as critical reactors for terrestrial and marine organic matter and ultimately as evasion pathways for CO2 and CH4 which are the major biologically mediated feedbacks on the climate system.  Ultimately, a huge unknown is our understanding of the role of Arctic aquatic systems’ impact on DOM degradation and transport, DIC transport and carbon gas emissions. scholarship daily news in www.rightman.ir

The objective of the project to which the prospective PhD is to contribute is to quantitatively relate the processes of degradation of terrestrial organic carbon to the concentration, distribution and the flux of CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere in arctic aquatic systems. This will be accomplished by disentangling the dynamics by utilization of multiple isotopic fingerprints (13C, 18O, 2H) in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dissolved and ambient O2, CO2 and CH4 within the context of CO2 and CH4 flux measurements in two model systems that represent the range of end member decompositional environments: an arctic lake/mire system and along the East Siberian Arctic Ocean (ESAO). The project will take advantage of data from the SWERUS C3 project and existing Swedish and International research programs and infrastructure (ICOS and Abisko) to focus our efforts to relate emissions to the dissolved and ambient carbon pools. This PhD project combines intensive fieldwork and laboratory studies with extended stays at field sites and collaborators’ home institutions. scholarship daily news in www.rightman.ir

The candidate is expected to interact with the network of scientists at Stockholm University, Sweden and internationally. It is likely that co-advisor(s) will be recruited from the international community depending upon the successful applicant’s interests. Flexibility, curiosity, and independence are essential qualities for this type of research. scholarship daily news in www.rightman.ir

The working language is English

Qualifications

Stockholm University requirements: Applicants must have completed a research degree (e.g. Masters) or university study of 240 ECTS (4 years), with at least 60 ECTS (1 year) at the advanced (research) level

Department requirements: At least 90 ECTS points in Natural Science and at least 30 ECTS in chemistry. At least 60 ETCS points are required at the advanced level, including an independent project  (15 ECTS) in Geology, Geochemistry, Biochemistry and/or another Natural Science Chemistry subject

Selection criteria

The basis for selection is the applicant’s ability to succeed at research training. The evaluation of the candidates will be based on the applicant’s theoretical and experimental experience in marine or terrestrial biogeochemistry, written and verbal communication skills in English, analytical and creative thinking, ability to take initiative action and work both independently and in collaboration with others. The evaluation will be made based on university grade records (especially advanced level courses), the relevance of publications, past education and field experience, the quality and ambition of the independent project work, references, a cover letter motivating the candidate’s interest, and interviews. scholarship daily news in www.rightman.ir

Appointment regulations for research training at Stockholm University are available in Swedish at: www.regelboken.su.se/pub/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1031&a=16354

Terms of employment

Research financing and salary is provided for 48 months (full-time employment). Start date can be negotiated

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace that is free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for everyone

Information

For more information, please contact Prof. Patrick Crill, [email protected], at the Department of Geological Sciences

Union representatives

Anqi Lindblom-Ahlm (Saco-S) and Lisbeth Häggberg (Fackförbundet ST

telephone: +46-(0)8-16 20 00 (switchboard), and Gunnar Stenberg (SEKO

telephone: +46-(0)70-316 43 41

Application

Your application, including CV, transcripts of all university courses with grades, a copy of your university degree, a cover letter motivating your interest for this position, name and contact information of two referees, and any other documents (e.g., diploma thesis/“examensarbete”) that you would like to include and would be relevant for the proposed research. scholarship daily news in www.rightman.ir

Application, marked with the reference number SU FV-2682-14

should be sent by e-mail as a PDF no later than November 20, 2014, to:  [email protected]

Please, include the reference number SU FV-2682-14 also in the subject line of your e-mail

PhD Scholarship in Geochemistry at Stockholm University, Sweden