PhD student in Environmental Analysis with focus on peatland management

PhD student in Environmental Analysis with focus on peatland management

Are you interested in working at the interface of water and carbon management in drained forest peatlands, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University. 

The Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University is Sweden´s largest and most versatile department of its kind with approximately 300 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural science and technology with social science. We have research programs in air, water and landscape science; geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; petrology, mineralogy and tectonics; paleobiology, and wind energy. By investigating the history of Earth, we understand how our planet has developed over time and how sustainable development benefits from this knowledge. Raed more here: Department of Earth Sciences

The PhD position is embedded in the EU project ForPeat – FORest PEATtland ecosystem assessment and targeted management for enhanced carbon sequestration, biodiversity and water quality. ForPeat brings together partners from 15 countries to develop practical, science-based solutions that balance climate action, biodiversity conservation, and bioeconomic needs. Through “Open Labs,” the project strengthens monitoring and data collection, tests innovative water and forest management practices, and supports policy-relevant knowledge that improves peatland resilience and multifunctionality.

Duties 

As a PhD student, you plan and conduct fieldwork in experimental forested peatland sites near Uppsala. Core tasks include:

• Design and carry out field campaigns, including logistics and sampling plans
• Collect and analyze data on water table dynamics, biodiversity, water quality, and greenhouse gas fluxes
• Manage, document, and quality-check datasets; contribute to reproducible workflows
• Participate in national and international project meetings, workshops, and consortium activities within ForPeat
• Develop scientific publications and present results at conferences
• Complete doctoral coursework and fulfil the requirements for a PhD degree at Uppsala University

Requirements 

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must 

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in environmental science, earth sciences, ecology, hydrology, water management, or a related field or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way that the employer considers equivalent/qualifying for the assignment.

The position requires a candidate who is motivated by research and able to work independently and proactively.

You should also have:

• experience with fieldwork (preferably in peatlands, wetlands, or forest ecosystems)
• a valid driver’s license for a car
• good computer skills and experience with data handling and analysis
• excellent written and spoken English

 
Additional qualifications 

It is particularly advantageous to have experience with one or more of the following:

• interest in peatland ecology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and forest management
• chemical analyses relevant to water quality
• water table or hydrological modelling in peatland systems
• greenhouse gas measurements
• basic GIS and mapping

Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability, including reliability in field settings, constructive teamwork, and a strong commitment to high-quality research.

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

Your application should include

• a curriculum vitae (CV)
• two references (names and full contact details); please do not send reference letters.
• copies of all transcripts
• your MSc thesis (alternatively BSc thesis)

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2026-04-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Thomas Grabs, thomas.grabs@geo.uu.se 

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 23 February 2026, UFV-PA 2026/287.