Vacant job

Doctoral Programme Subject:

Environmental Analysis, specialisation Environmental Chemistry

Unveiling Hidden Chemicals in Our Food Using Advanced Mass Spectrometry

This doctoral project aims to improve our understanding of chemical contaminants in food, focusing on detecting both known and previously unidentified substances using suspect and non-target screening. The doctoral candidate will develop and apply analytical workflows to characterise complex food matrices.

The project includes i) development and optimisation of screening workflows; ii) improvement of sample preparation, extraction, and purification; iii) detection and identification of contaminants using LC-HRMS; iv) semi-quantitative analysis; and v) application of effect-based analysis (EBA) to link chemical occurrence to biological effects.

You will join an international and interdisciplinary team, including the EU project PARC (http://www.eu-parc.eu/). The project provides access to advanced instrumentation and offers training in data analysis, scientific communication, and collaborative research.

Responsibilities:

We are seeking a doctoral candidate to contribute to increasing the understanding of chemical contaminants in food, with a particular focus on suspect and non-target screening. To achieve this goal, you will develop and apply analytical workflows for the detection and identification of both known and unknown compounds in complex food matrices, including sample preparation, extraction, and purification steps. A central part of the project is the use of liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for comprehensive chemical screening. The project will also include semi-quantification of detected compounds and the application of effect-directed analysis (EDA) to link chemical occurrence to biological effects. Responsibilities also include preparation of food samples, extraction and analysis of target and non-target compounds, processing of large HRMS datasets, data analysis, statistical evaluation, collaboration with toxicologists and food researchers, and writing scientific manuscripts in English.

Qualifications:

General eligibility requires a degree at the advanced level, completion of course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at the advanced level, or equivalent knowledge acquired in another way within or outside the country (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Specific eligibility for admission to the doctoral programme in Environmental Analysis, specialisation Environmental Chemistry, requires knowledge in aquatic ecology, aquatic biogeochemistry, statistics, or ecotoxicology.

Furthermore, knowledge of English equivalent to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school is required.

Your Background:

Applicants should hold a Master's degree in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, or equivalent. Specialisation in chemical analysis of food contaminants and experience with LC-MS or high-resolution mass spectrometry are valuable assets. Experience with workflows for suspect and non-target screening is highly meritorious. Skills in data processing using statistical computing and visualisation tools (e.g., R or similar) are also meritorious. Previous experience in chemical analytical laboratory work, especially with complex biological or food matrices, is an advantage. Emphasis is also placed on personal qualities such as interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently.

About Us:

The Department of Water and Environmental Studies is a competence centre for applied environmental research with a national responsibility for monitoring the environmental status of Swedish lakes and watercourses regarding water chemistry, environmental pollution, and aquatic biota. Research at the department focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, microbial ecology, as well as environmental chemistry and aquatic ecotoxicology. The department has over 150 employees, of which about half are researchers/doctoral candidates and the other half are technical and administrative staff.

More information about the department: http://www.slu.se/vatten-miljo (http://www.slu.se/vatten-miljo)

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/)

Read more about SLU's doctoral education at http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/ (http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/).

Employment Type and Salary:

Employment as a doctoral candidate (4-year education).

The salary for the doctoral position follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

Extent:

100%

Location:

Uppsala

Start Date:

2026-07-01

Application and Selection:

Welcome to submit your application via the application button below no later than 2026-05-11.

Read more about the attachments your application should contain at https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/ (https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/)

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the attachments included in the application and shall be made with regard to the ability to complete the education within the set time.

Union Contact Persons

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/ (https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/)