PhD student in Physical Geography: Ice-core based Solar activity Reconstructions

Department of Physical Geography is one of the major departments within the Faculty of Science. The department has approximately 110 employees and educates approximately 1 000 students annually. Our research and education is in Physical Geography, a wide-ranging scientific field dealing with the diverse physical and biological features of Earth, their characteristics, processes, patterns and interactions with humans. We study connected physical, chemical, biological, geological, environmental and social processes and changes in the world's land areas and their water, ice and geological formations, climate systems and ecosystems, in relation to each other and to human societies.We offer a stimulating and friendly environment in a diverse and international institution with research and education at a very high level. More information about us, please visit: The Department of Physical Geography

Project description

Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that the Earth has been hit by several extreme solar storms during the Holocene. These events were identified as sharp peaks in cosmogenic radionuclides (e.g.,¹⁰Be, ¹⁴C och ³⁶Cl) preserved in natural archives such as tree rings and ice cores. Today, such storms would pose serious risks to satellites, aviation, power grids, and even atmospheric chemistry. Yet, we still know little about how often these events occur, how strong they can be, and what their full impacts are.

This PhD project will directly address these questions by mainly investigating cosmogenic radionuclides in Greenland ice cores. Radionuclides are produced in the atmosphere when cosmic rays interact with air molecules and thus, they provide a unique window into past solar activity and extreme solar storms.

Tasks of the PhD candidate:

•  Work with ice core material from Greenland (and others where relevant) for the past few centuries.
• Prepare and process samples in the laboratory for radionuclide analyses, with measurements carried out by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (in collaboration with partner labs).
• Carry out complementary chemical analyses of ice core samples stored at the Ice Core Lab at Department of Physical Geography.
• Use quantitative approaches, including statistical analysis and modelling, to interpret the data. 

The PhD offers hands-on training in ice core science and laboratory geochemistry, with opportunities to collaborate with national and international research groups across solar, ice core, and atmospheric sciences. The successful candidate will be able to present their work at international conferences and workshops, and analytical work may involve travel to partner laboratories both in Sweden and abroad.  

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or 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.

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:

• documented knowledge in a relevant subject (for example but not limited to: Earth, climate and atmospheric sciences, geochemistry)
• capacity for analytical and creative thinking
• ability to take initiative and work indepedently
• ability to collaborate
• written and oral proficiency in English.

Knowledge of a programming language and quantitative skills are advantageous but not required.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

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

Contact

For more information, please contact Assistant professor Florian Mekhaldi, florian.mekhaldi@natgeo.su.se.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. 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.

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