Project description
Healthy soils are the basis for food production, viable ecosystems and functional biogeochemical cycles. From a global perspective, loss of soils and decline in both soil fertility and soil carbon content are major problems. Problems that also contribute to increased emissions of greenhouse gases. The European Union (EU) is strongly committed to developing sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil fertility across Europe. The Department of Natural Geography, Stockholm University is a partner in the large collaborative EU project AI4SoilHealth which will be the basis for this PhD position.

The PhD student will work with large and diverse soil datasets from agricultural sites across Sweden, and Europe, to assess how different information can be combined for effective mapping of soil properties and quality (soil health). The input data will include a range of data collected with in-situ field measurements (e.g. from soil spectroscopy), data from laboratory analyses of collected soil samples (e.g. soil nutrient data) and data from satellite remote sensing (e.g. bare soil spectral properties). The position includes fieldwork.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, and to fulfil the general syllabus for doctoral studies in Physical Geography, the candidate for this position should have acquired a total of at least 240 higher education credits (of which at least 60 at advanced level), or acquired in some alternative way, the equivalent knowledge in the fields of Earth Science, biology-Earth science, Geography, or other relevant natural or engineering scientific disciplines. This program should include independent work totaling at least 30 higher education credits, of which 15 credits are at an advanced level.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the candidates’ documented knowledge in research relevant to assessment of soil properties and soil health in agricultural land as outlined above. Other important criteria are written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.

Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For more information, please contact Professor Gustaf Hugelius, telephone: +46 8 674 78 73, gustaf.hugelius@natgeo.su.se, or Thomas Gumbricht, thomas.gumbricht@natgeo.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Project proposal/Research proposal describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement 
  – why and how you wish to complete the project 
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Deadline: 2024-02-28 at 23:59
Unit: Physical sciences/Math

Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.