PhD student in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, focus on marine biodiversity

PhD student in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development with a focus on marine biodiversity

Are you interested in working with marine biodiversity and how we as consumers affect this, 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 student in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development with a focus on marine biodiversity 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 280 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. For more information: The Department of Earth Sciences. 

The Department of Earth Sciences operates in two locations: in Uppsala and in Visby. The PhD student position is at Campus Gotland in Visby within the research program Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRHU), with a focus on marine biodiversity observations and enhancing the understanding of how consumer food choices impact the marine environment. The candidate is expected to be present on-site in Visby.  For more information: NRHU. Campus Gotland is an international campus in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Visby on the island of Gotland in the middle of the Baltic Sea. On Campus Gotland we also have Blue Centre Gotland, a collaboration among Uppsala University, Region Gotland and County Administrative Board.

The PhD project is a collaboration between the Department of Earth Sciences, NRHU, and the Department of Business Studies, where the doctoral candidate will be affiliated with both departments. The project addresses two global challenges—marine biodiversity loss and antimicrobial resistance—which require urgent action and increased public engagement.  The work will specifically focus on blue food in the Baltic Sea, where the candidate will explore the entire value chain of marine observations. The project is carried out in collaboration with the EU project BioEcoOcean.

Duties
The research will examine the relationships between blue food resources—such as fish, invertebrates, and marine vegetation—and their coastal habitats, including seasonal variations and the role of habitats in different life stages. Using methods such as field studies, interviews, literature review, and data analysis, the PhD candidate will contribute to a deeper understanding of resource availability, sustainable utilization, and strategies for responsible exploitation. In close collaboration with stakeholders the candidate will provide key insights to strengthen primary production and develop sustainable practices that support food security and economic resilience. A key component of the project is also to analyze consumer behavior related to blue food purchases and how these choices affect marine biodiversity. Teaching may be included, up to 20% of the position. The PhD candidate is expected to be actively participating in the activities of the graduate school and the department.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in environmental science, marine biology/ecology, sustainable development, or social-ecological systems, 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

Very good communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are required.

Additional qualifications
Knowledge of or experience with issues related to blue foods, ocean observations, environmental monitoring, coastal zone management, and fisheries is particularly advantageous. Practical experience in fieldwork in the Baltic Sea, interview methodology, and leading workshops is beneficial. Experience in working with interdisciplinary approaches and the use of conceptual and analytical frameworks is also valuable. Proficiency in statistics and analytical skills, as well as demonstrated creativity and the ability to collaborate both within and outside academia, are considered merits. Knowledge of Swedish is advantageous. A driver’s license and experience in operating boats are desirable.

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 1 August 2025 as agreed. Placement: Visby

For further information about the position, please contact: Dr. Lina Mtwana Nordlund, Lina.Mtwana.Nordlund@geo.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 4 April 2025, UFV-PA 2025/638.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.

About Campus Gotland: Uppsala University Campus Gotland offers the best of two worlds: the full-scale university’s broad offering and weight and a unique, small-scale campus in an interdisciplinary research environment. Campus Gotland is a hub for the University’s research and education in sustainability. Find out what it’s like to live on Gotland.