Doctoral student in Natural Science Specialising in Environmental Science - Tracing PFAS Sources in

Om jobbet

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Earth Sciences has around 70 employees and offers bachelor's and master's programmes in Earth Sciences and Geography, as well as doctoral education in several Earth Science subjects. Our main research themes are Climate and Climate Change, Earth Surface Processes, and The Geosphere. The department's research strategy emphasizes the advancement of Earth System Science through interdisciplinary approaches. Further information is available on our website: https://www.gu.se/en/earth-sciences

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages: https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

About Dr. Philipp Wanner's Research Group

Dr. Philipp Wanner's research group (https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/hitta-person/philippwanner) is part of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Gothenburg and belongs to the Geosphere research theme. The group conducts fundamental and applied research, teaching, and stakeholder engagement in the fields of contaminant hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. The group's research focuses on understanding the behavior of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and plastic particles in groundwater systems and drinking water, including the identification of their sources. The group hosts a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation for stable isotope and elemental analysis and maintains strong collaborations with national and international research partners in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the USA, and France.

Duties

Dr. Philipp Wanner's research group at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the project "Revolutionizing the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Source Identification in Drinking Water with a Novel Stable Isotope Method", which is funded by the Swedish Research Council.

The successful candidate will develop and apply an innovative stable isotope approach to identify the sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The project offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of analytical chemistry, hydrogeochemistry, and environmental science.

This PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Lutz Ahrens (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU) and Prof. Orfan Shouakar-Stash (University of Waterloo, Canada), providing access to leading expertise and international research environments.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

Assessment criteria

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

The successful candidate for this PhD project should have a strong background in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, contaminant hydrogeology or a related field. The successful candidate should also have experience in carrying out field and laboratory work and experience in numerical simulations is an asset. Moreover, good oral and written proficiency in English is required.

Admission and employment

Type of employment: Temporary employment for four years full time

Location: Department of Earth Sciences, Gothenburg

First day of employment: March 1, 2026 or on agreement.

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at the Department of Earth Science require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Department has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

For further information regarding the position, please contact Dr. Philipp Wanner, philipp.wanner@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

The application should include:

A cover letter with a motivation that describes the applicant's suitability for the position (maximum one A4 page)

A Curriculum vitae including education, qualifications, and previous experience

A copy of examination certificates and a transcript of courses with grades

A copy of the master thesis (or equivalent)

Other documents deemed important by the applicant

Contact information for at least two references that are familiar with the applicant's qualifications.

Applications must be received by:2026-01-11

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.