Postdoc position in Natural Science, specializing in Environmental Science / contaminant

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Earth Sciences has around 70 employees. We have bachelor and master programs in Earth Sciences and in Geography as well as third-cycle education in several Earth Science subjects. Our main research themes are “Climate and Climate Change”, “Earth Surface Processes” and “The Geosphere” and the research strategy of the department emphasizes on further development of Earth System Science.

The Hydrogeology research group (https://www.gu.se/en/research/hydrogeology-group ) at the Department of Earth Sciences belongs to the “Geosphere” theme and is involved in fundamental research, teaching, and stakeholder activities in the field of hydrogeology, contaminant hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. The Hydrogeology Group focuses on two main research topics including a) fresh water resources under changing environmental and climatic conditions and b) the behavior of newly emerging contaminants in the subsurface and its implications for remediating contaminated sites. The hydrogeology group has strong relations with international research groups and stakeholders in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, USA and France. The group also host a large pool of state-of-the-art equipment for stable isotope and elemental analyses.

The hydrogeology group at the Earth Science Department aims to recruit a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to the project “Plastic and pesticides in agricultural soils – A hazardous combination for groundwater systems and drinking water supplies worldwide?”, which is funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR). This project will be embedded in the contaminant hydrogeology research field of the Hydrogeology group at the Earth Science Department. The successful postdoc candidate will investigate the interactions of plastic particles and pesticides in agricultural soils and if plastic particles enhance the transport of pesticides into underlying aquifer systems. The research work will include field- and laboratory work as well as numerical modelling. The research will also include the development of new methods to detect plastic particles in the sub-micrometer range in complex soil matrices.

To be successful in this position the applicant will need:

• A PhD degree in environmental geology, contaminant hydrogeology, environmental chemistry or in a related field
• Experience in carrying out field and laboratory work
• Experience in numerical simulations
• Excellent oral and written English skills including the ability to publish research results and to present them at international conferences
• Open-minded, capable of working in an international and multi-disciplinary team

The postdoc position is temporary for three years, full-time (100%) at the Earth Science Department of the University of Gothenburg.

First day of employment: November 1, 2022 or on agreement.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Dr. Philipp Wanner, [email protected]

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande  

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. 

The application should include:

A cover letter with a motivation that describes the applicant’s suitability for the position (maximum one A4 page)

A Curriculum vitae including education, qualifications, and previous experience

A copy of examination certificates

A publication list

A copy/link of/to the PhD thesis

Other documents deemed important by the applicant

Contact information for at least two references that are familiar with the applicant’s qualifications.

Applications must be received by: 2022-07-15

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.