PhD Students in Environmental Science

Stockholm University

Sweden

Department

The Department of Environmental Science is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science. The department consists of four units with more than 170 researchers, teachers, doctoral students, and technical/administrative staff from over 30 countries.

Research and teaching focus on:

Chemical contaminants
Atmospheric science
Biogeochemistry
(Eco)toxicology

As an employee at the Department of Environmental Science, you will be part of a dynamic environment with research in leading research areas and a strong international profile.

The Atmospheric Science Unit focuses on:

Atmospheric composition
Aerosols and cloud life cycle and properties
Their impacts on climate and the environment

The research combines experimental studies and modelling, with a particular focus on aerosol–cloud interactions and air quality.

Project Description

The interplay between aerosol particles and clouds represents one of the largest sources of uncertainty in our understanding of the climate system.

Aerosols of both natural and anthropogenic origin influence cloud formation, lifetime, and radiative properties by acting as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei. However, the processes governing aerosol particle formation, processing, and interactions with clouds remain poorly constrained.

Reducing this uncertainty is highly important for improving projections of past, present, and future climate.

This PhD project will focus on aerosol process representation and evaluation in the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM) and how these processes impact climate.

The project offers thematic flexibility and will be shaped in dialogue with the successful candidate. The research will be within one or more of the following areas:

Analysis of long-term in-situ observational datasets to evaluate and constrain model representations of key processes.
Development of a new and innovative sectional aerosol scheme in NorESM.
Investigation of the climate-scale impacts of aerosol–cloud interactions using model simulations.

Qualification Requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education, applicants must satisfy both the general and specific entry requirements. These requirements must be fulfilled by the application deadline.

General Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

A second-cycle degree; or
Completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level; or
Acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

At least 45 second-cycle creditsin one of the natural sciences:Including a 30-credit thesis project.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Physics
- Meteorology
An additional 30 credits in other natural science subjects different from the major subject.

Selection Criteria

Selection among eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from doctoral training.

The following criteria will be assessed:

Documented knowledge in a relevant field of research.
Capacity for analytical and creative thinking.
Initiative.
Independence.
Ability to collaborate.
Written and oral proficiency in English.

Merit:

Prior experience in programming and numerical modelling.

Selection follows the Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the Employment

The position is offered as a fixed-term doctoral studentship in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).

The employment corresponds to four years of full-time doctoral education.
Doctoral students are expected to devote themselves primarily to their doctoral studies.
The employment may include teaching, research, and administrative duties to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new doctoral employment is initially offered for a maximum of one year, after which it may be renewed for periods of up to two years at a time.

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