Postdoctoral position in peatland biogeochemistry

The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to ecosystem studies. Learn more at www.ieg.uu.se.

The limnology program consists of three major research groups including aquatic communities and populations, microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. Research in our program includes fundamental scientific questions as well as applied topics of concern for the protection and management of the aquatic environment.

We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher/fellow in the field of biogeochemistry for the Limnology and Plant Ecology program.

Project description
This project focuses on the restoration of peatlands and associated changes to their ecosystem services, under the EU Water4All project called ‘Enhanced understanding of carbon and groundwater dynamics in European peatlands and their related ecosystems services (ECO-WADE)’. The post-doctoral researcher will work within a network of collaborators across Europe with a common goal of better understanding how changing hydrological conditions impact water purification, water regulation and climate regulation. The research project will primarily focus on aspects related to water quality and the development of methods to assess the biological availability of dissolved and particulate nutrients including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous. The project will include some focus on the emission of greenhouse gases and water regulation. The research will be conducted on peatlands at different stages of restoration with field work being carried out in Sweden.  

Duties
The project is likely to include periods of intense fieldwork, including hydrological monitoring and water sampling from peatland sites for chemical analyses. The postdoctoral fellow will use standardized methods for the chemical analysis of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous) as well as develop innovative approaches in the lab for measuring the biologically available fraction of nutrients. The post-doctoral researcher is likely to coordinate and analyze water chemistry for a range of sites spanning across the network of European collaborators. The post-doctoral researcher will be encouraged to develop the project further to align with other research interests that align with the aims of the project, such as a deeper exploration of enzyme activity, microbial community composition and function, transport modelling, interactions with contaminants such as PFAS, and/or treatability with various removal strategies for drinking water.

Qualifications required
Ph.D. degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a doctoral degree in the specified area of limnology, biology, chemistry, soil sciences, catchment biogeochemistry, marine sciences or other relevant fields. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labor unions, etc.

We attach great importance to personal qualities such as creativity, curiosity, working well in groups, problem-solving, planning and organizing, mentoring junior researchers, and adaptability. Candidates must be able to express themselves very well in spoken as well as written English.

Qualifications desired
Solid understanding of the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous biogeochemical cycles. Knowledge of peatland hydrology and/or biogeochemistry. Extensive experience with lab work and method development. High level of competence with programming, data processing, and the interpretation of data using appropriate statistical approaches. Experience with scientific writing and the publication system.

About the employment
Temporary position for 24 months, with a possibility of an extension up to a maximum of 36 months, according to the central collective agreement. Scope of employment: full-time. Starting date 2025-05-01 or as agreed. Location: Uppsala.

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For further information about the position, please contact

Dolly Kothawala, dolly.kothawala@ebc.uu.se, +46 18 471 64 56 or Gustaf Granath Gustaf.granath@ebc.uu.se.

Application instructions
The application should include 1) a letter describing yourself, your research interests, your education and why you want the position, 2) your CV, 3) a brief description of your education, 4) a copy of your Ph.D. degree and your transcripts, along with a copy of your doctoral thesis, 5) names and contact details of at least two referees (email addresses and phone numbers), 6) relevant publications. The application should be written in English.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than February, 17 2025. UFV-PA 2025/265.

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