PhD Position in Limnology

PhD Position in Limnology:

Lake Ice Transitions and Their Impact on the Global Carbon Cycle

Do you want to explore how changes in lake ice cover influence the global carbon cycle? Are you looking for an employer who values your professional development and offers a supportive workplace We welcome you to apply for a PhD student position at Uppsala University which will be placed within the Limnology program at the Department of Ecology and Genetics.

The Limnology program is an internationally renowned research environment with staff and students from all over the world. The program engages in research and education on the biogeochemistry and ecology of inland waters, spanning from microscopic to global scale (see Limnology - Uppsala University). The program actively promotes a collegial and inclusive research culture through regular social activities, encouraging well-being, creativity, and professional growth.

Project description

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research project on exploring how rapid transitions from ice-covered to open-water states in lakes affect the carbon transformation efficiency in lakes and the emission of greenhouse gases. The project addresses a critical gap in our understanding of lake ice dynamics and their role in the global carbon cycle, using advanced ice core analysis, sensor technologies, and modeling approaches. The position includes close collaboration with Gothenburg University as well as national and international networks such as SITES (https://www.fieldsites.se/) and GLEON (https://gleon.org/). As part of the laboratory work the PhD student will spend approximately 6 weeks each year at the University of Gothenburg’s ice laboratory, where the student will receive specialized training in lake-ice microstructure analysis and analyze the field samples.

Duties
Your duties include research based on field, experimental and modelling work, teamwork as well as some teaching and course work.

Requirements
To be eligible for a PhD-student position, the applicant must hold a master degree (or equivalent) in limnology, aquatic ecology, environmental sciences, geoscience, environmental engineering or other relevant subjects at the time of employment. Eligible candidates need to demonstrate skills in handling large datasets and basic statistics. For the project some experience in practical work such as laboratory and field work or equivalent is required, as well as the willingness to work in cold winter climate and to collaborate with Gothenburg University. Candidates must be able to express themselves to a very high degree in spoken as well as written English. In the evaluation of candidates, particular emphasis will be put on personal qualities such as independence, strong motivation and teamwork skills.

Additional desired qualifications
Car driving license (EU class B).

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment: 100 %. Starting date: February 1, 2026 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala; a few top applicants will be invited for an interview (digital) which will take place between January 12 and 16, 2026.

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Gesa Weyhenmeyer, Gesa.Weyhenmeyer@ebc.uu.se, + 46 – 18 471 2711

In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. The answers will be used as a part of the selection process.

Please submit your application by January 2, 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3646.

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