PhD student in Environmental Science focusing on Toxic Metals in Contaminated Soils

14 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Stockholm University

Research Field

Environmental science » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

22 Apr 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

927--1-23270

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

at the Department of Environmental Science . Closing date: 23 April 2024.

The Department of Environmental Science is one of the biggest departments at the Faculty of Science. The department consists of four units with more than 170 researchers, teachers, doctoral students and technical/administrative staff from over 30 countries. Research and teaching focuses on chemical contaminants, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry and (eco)toxicology. As an employee at the Department of Environmental Science you will be part of a dynamic environment with research in leading research areas and with a strong international profile.

Research in the Biogeochemistry Unit is focused on understanding how carbon, nutrients and trace elements cycle through terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric systems, and how these processes intersect with human activities and climate dynamics. The successful candidate will join a research group dedicated to investigating the biogeochemical cycle of mercury (Hg) and other toxic trace metals. At the unit, we offer courses that educate bachelor, master, and PhD students about biogeochemical cycles, their interconnectedness, and their responses to climate change and other anthropogenic perturbations.

Project description
In Sweden, about 86,000 areas are either contaminated or potentially contaminated, often with Cadmium, Lead, or Mercury. Prioritizing their remediation is challenging. This project aims to develop methods to enhance the interpretation of current risk assessment tools.

Contaminated soils consist of various natural materials, including various inorganic and organic particles and microorganisms, and a mixture of toxic metals and organic contaminants. To what extent these pollutants are transported with the mobile phase (e.g., groundwater) depends on the type of contaminant and the nature of the particulate matter, microbial activity, and chemistry of the surrounding pore water. Thus, the total concentration of a specific contaminant, often used in risk assessments, is not a very informative parameter for contaminant mobility.

To better characterize this risk, standardized leaching and percolation tests are recommended (most common SS-EN-12457-3 and SIS C EN/TS 14405). While these tests offer valuable insights, the assessment and extrapolation of the data they produce pose a significant challenge, as indicated by concerns raised in a report commissioned by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). These concerns encompass the accuracy of these tests in replicating natural conditions, such as pH, redox conditions, and water chemistry. Additionally, the underestimation of contaminant mobility was highlighted, as equilibrium is not always reached in these time-constrained tests, primarily due to slow desorption kinetics.

In this project, we aim to enhance risk assessment tools for metal contamination and gain a better understanding of the mobility of toxic metals in polluted soils.

Specifically, we aim to:

• Describe adsorption/desorption kinetics and quantify mobile and refractory pools of C d, Pb, and Hg in contaminated soils using novel approaches based on isotopically enriched tracers
• Identify environmental conditions and soil characteristics (biotic and abiotic) that enhance metal mobility and bioavailability
• Link toxic metal mobility to their chemical speciation and then to bioavailability for humans and aquatic organisms
• Develop new recommendations on the application of standardized leaching and percolation tests in risk assessment to overcome the limitations of these methods.

The position will be associated with the project Mobility and Bioaccumulation of Toxic Metals in Contaminates Soils (ToxMet) , a project funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

Qualification requirements
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, for doctoral studies in Environmental Science, at least 45 of the credits at the second cycle must be in one of the natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, or Meteorology) including a 30 credits thesis project. The applicant should also have 30 credits in other natural science subjects different from the major.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their ability to successfully pursue the research education. Special emphasis is put on the applicant’s knowledge and skills within the subject area, ability to express her/himself verbally and in writing, analytical aptitude, creativity, initiative and independence, and a capacity for working together with others. The evaluation will be made based on the relevance of past education and experience, grades from previous university courses (in particular at the advanced level), the quality and ambition of the independent project work, references, a cover letter motivating the candidate’s interest, and interviews.

Having prior experience in establishing and conducting laboratory experiments, as well as knowledge about toxic trace metal biogeochemistry is beneficial.

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 Associate Professor Sofi Jonsson (research leader and head of unit), telephone: +46 8 674 71 87, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , [email protected] (SEKO), and PhD student representative, [email protected] ​​.

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 job 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 motivating your interest for this position
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience, and a list of degree projects/theses
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Optional 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.

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Environmental science » Other

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Stockholm University

Country

Sweden

City

Stockholm

Postal Code

11418

Street

Svante Arrhenius väg 8

Where to apply

Website

https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage…

Contact

City

Stockholm

Street

Svante Arrhenius väg 8

Postal Code

11418

STATUS: EXPIRED