A fully funded four-year Ph.D. position is available at the Department of Earth and Ecosystem science, Lund University, Sweden

Job assignments

Today the Baltic Sea suffers from effects of eutrophication resulting in increased hypoxia over large areas. Even though the Baltic Sea has been subject of much investigation, we lack detailed high resolution coastal records of nutrient levels and surface salinity and temperature variations from the past two millennia. The importance of human activity, e.g. population growth, expansion of agricultural land, and deforestation, on the semi-enclosed, low-salinity ecosystem of the Baltic Sea during this time period is therefore still much debated. An assessment of the degree and variability of human impact versus natural variability on the ecosystem functioning is therefore needed. The focus of the project is to estimate when and to which degree human expansion resulted in increased nutrient loading on the Baltic Sea's coastal ecosystem.

The proposed PhD project comprises collection of high temporal resolution palynological data sets, especially detailed mapping of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages, retrieved from coastal sedimentary archives. Together with terrestrial records of land-use changes these datasets will be used to estimate and spatially map changes in eutrophication, surface salinity and temperature during the last two millennia of the coastal Baltic Sea.

The project will be carried out within the framework of Managing Multiple Stressors in the Baltic Sea, which is a 5-year Strong Research Environment funded by the Swedish Research Council for the Environment (Formas). We have assembled a diverse group to combine a paleo-based approach with ecological methods, terrestrial biogeochemistry, and modeling to address problems from the past, the present and into the future. Our goal is to provide a multi-disciplinary expertise needed for the sustainable management of the Baltic Sea.

Eligibility

The applicant is expected to hold a Master of Science degree (or equivalent) in Earth Sciences with a strong focus on Quaternary Geology or Marine Geology. A M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology or Aquatic Ecology with additional courses in Geology might also be considered. Documented experience of micropaleontological work together with experience of scientific publication in English is strongly qualifying. Experience of landscape/ecosystem modeling is an advantage. Ability to work independently as well as with others is a necessity together with strong communication skills. We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years with social security benefits, the possibility to participate in cruises and to work in a multi-disciplinary project.

How to apply:

The application has to be submitted online
(link: http://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/o.o.i.s?id=24914&Dnr=411346&Type=EU) and should include the following:

• Letter of interest which describes the applicant's background, interests and ambitions in relation to the project (one page).
• CV comprising date of birth and complete listing of BSc and MSc grades and possible pervious employers.
• A Pdf file (or link for downloading) with publications including Master- or Bachelor theses.
• Name and contact details to at least two referees.

Deadline 2011-10-14

For further information please contact:

Helena Filipsson, PhD,
Associate senior lecturer
+46 46 2228226
lu11081@earthworks-jobs.com