PhD student in Geophysics - Urban underground

Published: 2021-08-02

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 45,000 students, more than 7,000 employees and a turnover of around SEK 7 billion.

The Department of Earth Sciences of Uppsala University focuses on subjects that range from the Earth"s core to the atmosphere, on scales from submicroscopic structures in minerals to the formation of mountains and oceans, and from basic research on natural resources to research on how humans can sustainably manage these resources. For more information please visit: The Department of Earth Sciences .

The Geophysics Unit at the Department of Earth Sciences consists of about 50 personnel, including about 20 PhD students. The Geophysics program is currently running projects involving studies of major crustal structures of the Baltic Shield, urban geophysics, novel geophysical solutions (hardware and software) for deep mineral exploration, geological storage, scientific drilling, earthquake seismology, development of instruments, time-series processing and numerical modelling methods for seismic and electromagnetic data applied to near-surface and deep crustal-scale studies. The geophysics program runs its own ~800-channel (cabled and 1C/3C wireless) seismic system, a state-of-the-art 120-3C seismic landstreamer acquisition system, and develops and uses modern processing and imaging algorithms. It is also well equipped with a suite of other geophysical instrumentation, including electromagnetic instruments (e.g. 11 magnetotelluric stations), modern downhole logging equipment, gravimeters etc. The program also runs the Swedish National Seismic Network (SNSN), consisting of about 70 permanent broadband stations, and has an extensive equipment pool for passive field studies.

The PhD student position is placed in the research programme for Geophysics at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University.

Duties/Project description: A rising rate of urbanisation, coupled with climate change impacts and the transition to a carbon-neutral society, will put considerable pressure on the increasingly stretched metropolitan areas. To meet these challenges, there is a need to significantly enhance the use of the space below the city landscape. The underground is a place that, once transformed, becomes a permanent future. For this reason, underground spatial planning requires strategically driven, comprehensive, and long-term visions. By taking the case of Stockholm municipality as the analytical point of entry, the overall purpose of the project is two: 1) to develop conceptual tools and empirical insights for better understanding social, technical and geophysical dynamics of sustainable urban underground planning and use; 2) to provide practical solutions and guidance for long-term planning and envisioning sustainable use of the underground space. The project will be conducted in a collaborative interdisciplinary research environment involving Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRHU) and Geophysics.

The work of the PhD student will be focused on evaluating existing geological and geotechnical data, for example, the location of bedrock weakness zones and the best methodology to investigate this in urban areas. As an outcome of the project, a map showing suitable locations where larger underground facilities (e.g., 150x50 meters) could be constructed is also expected. The project will be conducted in an interdisciplinary environment, and we welcome candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.

The position can include up to 20% of teaching and administrative work, which extends the employment period with a corresponding time.

Requirements: The applicant shall have a university master's degree in geophysics, rock mechanics, physics or an equivalent degree in civil engineering or earth sciences, preferably in a field relevant to the topic of the PhD position. Good written and spoken English language skills are a requirement. Experience in interdisciplinary research is a requirement.

Additional qualifications: Good Swedish language skills. 

Application: The application must contain a letter (two pages max) that briefly describes your motives for applying for the PhD position, how you want to contribute to the project, as well as relevant skills, qualifications and research interests. The application must also contain a CV, copies of relevant grades, degree project and contact information for two reference persons.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines .

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: 01-10-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact:Ari Tryggvason, phone number: + 46 18 471 23 88, email: [email protected] .

Please submit your application by 30 August 2021, UFV-PA 2021/3027.

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Earth Sciences

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position longer than 6 months

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100 %

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: ST/TCO [email protected]
Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2021/3027

Last application date: 2021-08-30

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