About this role
University of Gothenburg meets societal challenges with versatile knowledge. 58,000 students and 6,800 employees make the university a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive educational programs attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future. University-wide information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral pages. https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/
Description of Subject Area
Marine Biogeochemistry and Blue Carbon
Job Duties
The doctoral candidate will work on a Swedish Research Council (VR) funded project aimed at quantifying seagrass net carbon storage capacity. Protecting and restoring seagrass meadows can increase carbon dioxide uptake from the atmosphere and thereby help mitigate climate change. Previous research has primarily focused on carbon stored in biomass and sediments, but much less is known about the export and long-term turnover of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon produced by these ecosystems. Seagrass produces carbonate alkalinity, a form of inorganic carbon that remains dissolved long-term in seawater and buffers coastal waters against acidification.
In this project, the doctoral candidate will investigate the production and export of dissolved carbon and alkalinity in eelgrass (Zostera marina) across spatial and temporal scales in Swedish coastal waters. Field observations will include in-situ investigations using benthic chambers to quantify daily variations, while natural tracers such as radon will be used to calculate ecosystem-level exchange. Sediment cores will be analyzed to reconstruct long-term carbon sequestration and evaluate how seagrass meadows contribute to permanent carbon storage. By combining these datasets, the project will identify the main drivers of dissolved carbon and alkalinity production, quantify export to adjacent waters, and lay the groundwork for scaling up to regional and global levels. The results are expected to deepen our understanding of seagrass's role in the global carbon cycle and provide new scientific arguments for preserving these threatened coastal ecosystems.
The doctoral candidate will be part of the marine biogeochemistry research group at the Department of Marine Sciences and work closely with Swedish and international partners. Doctoral education comprises four years of full-time studies leading to a doctoral degree. The education will include courses totaling at least 60 higher education credits, distributed throughout the study period and planned together with the supervisor and examiner.
Within the doctoral employment, you may have departmental service to a maximum of 20% of full-time, distributed throughout the entire education period. Departmental service typically includes teaching at undergraduate and advanced levels, but may also include research and administrative tasks. The employment will be extended by a corresponding time period.
Eligibility
For admission to doctoral education, basic and, where applicable, specific qualifications established in the general study plan for the subject are required.
Basic eligibility for doctoral education is granted to those who have:
1. Completed a degree at an advanced level, or
2. Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits at an advanced level, or
3. Otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge domestically or internationally.
Selection Criteria
Selection among applicants meeting basic and specific qualification requirements will be based on the ability to benefit from doctoral education.
The successful candidate is expected to be able to work both independently and in collaboration with a research group, demonstrate good analytical and communication skills, and show potential for scientific development.
The following qualifications are considered essential requirements:
· Previous experience in biogeochemistry, carbon cycle, environmental science, marine science, or oceanography
· Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written
· Documented experience in field and laboratory work
· Flexibility and adaptability to new tasks and research environments
· Commitment to learning new methods and analytical techniques
· Experience in programming or data analysis (e.g., R, Python, or MATLAB)
· Good scientific writing skills
Employment
After being admitted to doctoral education, you will receive a doctoral employment position at the University of Gothenburg.
Regulations for doctoral employment are found in the ordinance SFS 1993:100.
The first doctoral employment may be valid for a maximum of one year and may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
A doctoral candidate may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total employment time must not exceed full-time doctoral education for four years.
The university applies local agreements for doctoral student salary setting.
Employment Type: Fixed-term employment,