PhD Candidate in Ecotechnology and Environmental Science

The Department of Natural Sciences, Design, and Sustainable Development (NDH) operates at Campus Östersund and Campus Sundsvall, where we conduct education and research within and between our subject areas with a focus on sustainable development.

Ecotechnology and environmental science is an interdisciplinary subject where we strive to understand the interaction between human societies and nature, as well as to design systems for sustainable use of natural resources.

Job Responsibilities

The position includes doctoral education at the doctoral level with research work (80–100%) as well as teaching and administrative tasks (up to 20%).

The polar regions play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system. This doctoral project aims to investigate the physical processes that govern the stability, structural integrity, and mass balance of Antarctic ice shelves, with the goal of improving predictions of their contribution to future sea level rise. Ice shelves regulate the outflow of land-based ice to the ocean and thus constitute a central control mechanism for long-term changes in sea level. Despite this, the dominant mechanisms governing ice shelves' response to atmospheric and oceanic influences are still poorly understood, particularly regarding the connection between surface processes, basal melting, and structural weakening.

Depending on the project's focus and the applicant's background, the research may address one or more of the following themes:

• Surface melting and firn processes and their significance for ice shelf stability
• Weakening, crack formation, and collapse mechanisms of ice shelves
• Interaction between ice and ocean and dynamics of basal melting
• Integrated observational and modeling approaches for studying ice shelf processes

Expectations for the PhD Candidate:

• Formulate and further develop research questions within the thematic area of interactions between Antarctic ice shelves and the ocean
• Analyze observational data (e.g., ground-based radar measurements and data from weather stations)
• Contribute to the development and application of numerical models
• Participate in efforts to assess uncertainties in future predictions of sea level rise
• Publish results in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Present research results at national and international conferences

The PhD candidate will be employed at Mid Sweden University within the framework of the national graduate school for excellence in Arctic and Antarctic research (SEAL), which offers an internationally competitive and interdisciplinary research and educational environment with access to unique infrastructure, field campaigns, and integrated doctoral education courses. The position involves close collaboration with co-supervisors within the program Air, Water, and Landscape at Uppsala University, including regular research visits.

The project is also integrated into the international research program iQ2300 – East Antarctic Sea level rise contribution in 2300, with logistical support for fieldwork from the Polar Research Secretariat. The work may include participation in field campaigns in polar regions as well as national and international travel for collaboration and conferences. Fieldwork may involve extended stays in remote environments and requires the ability to work under demanding conditions.

Eligibility

Basic eligibility is met by those who have obtained a master's degree or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility requires at least 90 higher education credits in relevant subject areas such as physical geography, glaciology, geophysics, climate science, oceanography, meteorology, applied mathematics, physics, engineering, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Assessment Criteria

The selection is based on a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's ability to benefit from the doctoral education. Particular emphasis is placed on:

• Academic merits and relevance in previous studies
• Experience in quantitative methods, modeling, data analysis, and/or geoscientific methods as well as fieldwork
• Scientific motivation and research potential
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Very good ability to express oneself in spoken and written English

The successful candidate is expected to be highly motivated and curious, with good analytical skills. The position requires good collaboration and communication skills as well as the ability to plan and carry out research work independently. Flexibility and interest in interdisciplinary research are meritorious.

Other Assessment Criteria

Experience in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Fortran, or similar), numerical modeling, remote sensing, working with large datasets, or fieldwork is meritorious. Knowledge of Swedish is not a requirement.

Processing

The preparation of the position follows the procedures specified in Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance and proceeds in accordance with Mid Sweden University's employment regulations.

Employment and Start Date

The doctoral position corresponds to four years of full-time studies and leads to a doctoral degree. Start date 2026-08-15 or by agreement.

The initial employment is for a maximum of one year and may thereafter be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. Regulations regarding doctoral employment can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, §§ 1–7.

Active participation in the research environment and regular attendance on campus is expected within the framework of the doctoral education.

Location: Östersund

Salary: According to Mid Sweden University's salary scale for doctoral candidates.

Information

For more information about the research project, contact Dr. Katrin Lindbäck, [email protected], tel. +46-(0)10-172 65 90. For questions about the employment and doctoral education, contact Deputy Prefect, Professor Oskar Englund, [email protected], tel. +46-(0)10-142 88 00

Application

The application should be written in English or Swedish and include:

• Cover letter describing research interests and motivation
• Curriculum vitae
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts
• Master's thesis (or equivalent)
• Contact details for two academic references

The application should be submitted via our recruitment system no later than 2026-04-30.