PhD at Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (PA2023/86)

Work duties

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most prominent mode of year-to-year climate variability globally, and it has stong impacts on Earth's climate, ecosystems and human societies. This PhD student will work with climate and ecosystem modelers to investigate how the changes in the timing of ENSO events (other than winter season) can lead to potentially amplified impacts on global climate (e.g. teleconnection, monsoon and extreme weather) and terrestrial ecosystem (e.g. vegetation pattern, wildfire and carbon cycling). ENSO variations in the geological past will be an important analogue. Interdisciplinary approaches will be employed, such as analysing the proxy reconstructions and existing climate model simulations of the past climate conditions. In particular, the PhD will design numerical experiments with a state-of-art Earth System model (https://ec-earth.org/) to quantify the impacts of ENSO due to shifts in ENSO timing. This study will advance our understanding of the interplay between climate, terrestrial ecosystem and ENSO which helps to mitigate the future damages related to ENSO.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, orhas satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, orhas acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in physical geography and ecosystem science, if he or she has passed an independent project (for example a degree project) of at least 30 credits in a relevant subject and have good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional requirements

Add any further requirements ( experience and knowledge) deemed necessary for completing the third cycle programme.

• An MSc in climate science, ecosystem science, ecology, or a closely related area, including a degree project of 30 credits or more).
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented knowledge of climate science, ecosystem science, ecology

In addition to the mandatory requirements, documented experience in the following areas will be considered as strong merits:

• Knowledge of climate feedbacks, climate impacts, and/or climate modeling.
• Previous experience with statistical analyses of large datasets including climate and ecosystem data.
• Knowledge in using a complex climate model.
• Proficiency in a programming language.
• A publication record on related topics will be a plus

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student's potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle researchproblems.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, for example professional experience.
• Consideration will also be given to strong collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programe.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1–7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the postgraduate education programme and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, contact information to at least two references, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.).