About this role
Doctoral Position in Marine Radioecology: Climate Change and Radionuclide Mobility in the Baltic Sea
We have the power of over 40,000 students and employees. Students who provide hope for the future. Employees who contribute daily to Linköping University's approach to contemporary challenges. Our core values rest on credibility, trust, and security. By being brave, thinking freely, and creating anew, we collectively build a better future through big and small actions. Welcome to apply for a job with us!
Job Responsibilities
You will explore one of our time's major environmental challenges – how climate change affects the distribution and mobility of radioactive substances in the oceans. The project focuses on the Baltic Sea and combines fieldwork, laboratory experiments, radiochemical analysis, advanced measurement techniques, and environmental modeling to understand how changing redox conditions (such as hypoxia and reoxygenation) impact the behavior of actinides like plutonium (Pu) and americium (Am) in sediments and seawater.
You will:
• Collect sediment and seawater samples in the Baltic Sea for analysis of redox-sensitive radionuclides and geochemical parameters.
• Conduct laboratory-based microcosm experiments simulating anoxic and oxidizing conditions to quantify radionuclide remobilization under climate-related changes.
• Develop and apply radiochemical and advanced measurement methods (alpha spectrometry, ICP-MS, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS)) for ultra-sensitive actinide determination.
• Integrate experimental results into dynamic geochemical and transport models to predict future radionuclide behavior under various climate scenarios.
• Closely collaborate with international research partners and participate in research visits at world-leading laboratories, such as IAEA's Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco, University of Gdansk, and University of Seville, to gain knowledge and experience in marine radioecology and advanced analytical techniques.
• Present research results in scientific journals and at international conferences, and contribute to strengthening Sweden's competence in climate-adaptive radiation protection.
The position offers the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in marine radioecology, radiochemistry, and environmental modeling, in a dynamic and internationally established research environment at LiU.
As a doctoral student, you will focus on your doctoral education and research project. The work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental assignments, up to 20% of full-time.
Qualifications
You have a master's degree in radiation physics, environmental science, chemistry, nuclear physics, marine science, or a related field, or have completed courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 credits at an advanced level in a relevant subject area, or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.
Knowledge in at least one of the following areas is important: radiochemistry, environmental radioactivity, marine geochemistry, or analytical chemistry. The following will be meritorious:
• Experience in environmental modeling, laboratory trace analysis, radiochemical separation, or mass spectrometry (e.g., ICP-MS or AMS).
• Skills in programming languages or use of environmental modeling tools (e.g., PHREEQC, MATLAB, or Python).
• Experience with international collaborations or fieldwork in marine or environmental studies.
As we are an international group, excellent English skills, both oral and written, are crucial. Supervision will primarily be conducted in English.
We seek a motivated and curious candidate who enjoys working both independently and in a team. You have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, precision, and can manage experimental work and data analysis simultaneously. Good communication skills and a collaborative approach are essential, given the project's international collaboration and fieldwork.
You are encouraged to attach a short document (max one page) describing your motivation for doctoral studies in this area, relevant background and competence, and how you see your role in project implementation.
Workplace
You will be part of the Unit for Radiological Sciences at the Department of Health, Medicine and Care (HMV), Linköping University, which conducts research and education in medical radiation physics, radiation protection, radiochemistry, and radioecology, with applications in both medical and environmental areas of ionizing radiation.
The research group has a leading national and international profile in environmental radiology and development of radiochemical methods, with collaborations including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), University of Gothenburg, and University of Seville. The group offers a stimulating research environment combining laboratory-based radiochemistry,