Research Assistant in the Program for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Tectonics (MPT)

Do you want to work with geoscience, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee engagement and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a position as a research assistant at Uppsala University.

The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education in geoscience. Here, there is a broad competence that contributes to solutions to important societal issues.

The Earth is a dynamic planet that is constantly changing. To understand how our planet works, our researchers seek answers in the field, through laboratory experiments, and advanced models. Our research and education cover a wide range of areas; rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind power and energy, environmental and water technology, and sustainable development. Our research combines natural sciences and technology with social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. The department employs over 300 people from more than 30 countries, both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland.

Our Six Research Departments:

• Geophysics
• Air, Water, and Landscape Science
• Mineralogy, Petrology, and Tectonics
• Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
• Paleobiology
• Wind Energy

For more information, see: http://www.uu.se/geovetenskaper (http://www.uu.se/geovetenskaper)

A position as a research assistant is available within the program for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Tectonics (MPT) at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University.

Job Responsibilities

As a research assistant within the program for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Tectonics (MPT), you will support ongoing research in mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology. The position involves participation in various research projects within the MPT program and the Smart Exploration Research Centre, including projects focusing on critical mineral systems and the tectonic development of the Earth's crust.

Your tasks may include:

• Preparation and petrographic characterization of rock samples.
• Mineral separation and sample preparation for geochemical and geochronological analyses.
• Participation in in situ analytical techniques (e.g., isotope and trace element analyses).
• Compilation, processing, and quality control of analytical datasets.
• Preparation of scientific figures (e.g., geochemical diagrams and maps) for presentations and manuscripts.
• Assistance in manuscript preparation, including formatting, reference management, and data organization.
• Organization and maintenance of the laboratory environment.
• Support for administrative tasks related to research activities.
• Participation in teaching and other departmental duties as needed.

The position offers practical experience with state-of-the-art analytical facilities and provides training in petrochronology and research on critical minerals.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in geoscience or a related field is required for the position. You should have a strong interest in mineralogy, petrology, and geochronology.

Furthermore, you should be able to demonstrate:

• Basic knowledge of magmatic and/or metamorphic processes.
• Experience in petrographic microscopy and basic laboratory work.
• Very good ability to express yourself in spoken and written English.

Great importance is placed on personal suitability. For the position as a research assistant, you need to have good analytical skills, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities. You should also be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.

Desirable/meritorious qualifications

The following qualifications are particularly meritorious:

• Interest in mineral-based approaches to understanding the development of the Earth's crust and ore systems.
• Experience with microanalytical techniques (e.g., SEM, EPMA, LA-ICP-MS).
• Basic knowledge of isotope geochemistry and/or geochronological methods.
• Experience in mineral separation and sample preparation techniques.
• Skills in data processing and visualization with programs such as MinPlotX, Isoplot, MATLAB, Origin, or similar.
• Experience in producing scientific figures with graphic software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape).
• Familiarity with GIS software for geological mapping and integration of spatial data.
• Previous involvement in research projects or scientific writing.

About the Employment

The position is temporary, 6 months. The extent is 50%. Start date April 1, 2026, or by agreement. Location: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Jaroslaw Majka, mailto:[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Welcome with your application by March 13, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/596.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The position may be subject to security screening. A prerequisite for employment during security screening is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]