Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
The Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience (EMG) at Umeå University invites applicants for a PhD position on carbon cycling in Arctic headwaters. The start date is flexible but ideally sometime between June and November 2026. Deadline for applications is 15 April, 2026.
Project descriptions and work tasks Freshwater ecosystems play an important role in global methane (CH4) emissions, in part because they release large amounts of CH4 supplied from groundwater. Yet, the mechanisms regulating groundwater CH4 production and supply across land-water boundaries are poorly understood, as is the sensitivity of this supply to ongoing climate change. This project will explore the biogeochemical and hydrological controls over groundwater CH4 production and delivery to streams in northern landscapes. Research will include observational and experimental efforts addressing the controls over groundwater CH4 flux in the Krycklan Catchment Study of northern boreal Sweden. Lab experiments will also be used to test how CH4 production at the land-water interface responds to drought and rewetting events along climate and land-use gradients. The project will involve collaboration with researchers at the Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) at Umeå University and at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and will provide opportunities for work at field sites from Arctic to hemiboreal Sweden.
Entry requirements and prerequisites To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must meet the general entry requirements and the specific entry requirements established by the Faculty Board of Science and Technology, and be deemed to have the overall ability required to benefit from the education (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 35).
General entry requirements To fulfil the general entry requirements, the applicant must have qualifications equivalent to either a completed degree at advanced level (second-cycle), or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS, including at least 60 ECTS at advanced level, or has otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge within or outside Sweden. The faculty board may, in the case of a specific applicant, consent to an exemption from the general entry requirements if there are special reasons to do so. (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 7, Section 39)
Specific entry requirements In order to fulfil the specific entry requirements for admission to doctoral studies in physical geography, the applicant must have passed courses in a basic higher education subject relevant to physical geography of at least 120 credits. At least one course at advanced level in a subject that is central to the doctoral student's planned specialization must be included, as well as an independent project (degree project) with a relevant specialization of at least 15 credits. The requirements for prior knowledge as described above are also considered to be met by those who have otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
Qualifications The candidate should have an academic background in Earth Science, Limnology, Ecology, or from similar fields. Additional requirements for this position are:
good knowledge of aquatic ecosystem dynamics,
good ability to carry out physically demanding fieldwork in cold environments,
good ability to write and speak in English,
driver’s license for cars,
experience working with redox biogeochemistry is meriting.
We are looking for candidates with creativity, power of initiative, independence and good collaboration skills.
The assessments will be based on the application, reference check and interview.
Terms of employment The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree and the main assignment for the doctoral student is thus to be part of the research education, which includes participation in the described research project but also to take relevant courses. Teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to four years at full time or up to five years if teaching and other departmental work is performed. The salary is fixed according to the established salary level for doctoral students.
How to apply You apply through our recruitment system on 15 April 2026, at the latest. The application, written in English, should include:
A short (max 2 pages) description of why you are interested in and suitable for the position
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Certified copies of degrees and certificates from higher education
List of completed university courses and the grades
Copy of potential publications/degree thesis
Names and contact information of two reference persons
The documents should be in PDF-format.
Contact If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Professor Ryan Sponseller, ryan.sponseller@umu.se
The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG) is both a research and teaching department situated within the Umeå University campus. The department has approximately 160 staff members, of which 30 are PhD students. For more information, visit https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.
