PhD Candidate in physical geography and ecosystem science (PA2026/250)

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Lund University, 009999 Lund University, 150000 NAT

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Research and education at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MGeo) addresses fundamental and applied questions on the Earth’s past, present and future climate and environment, including people’s interactions with the natural world and consequences for human wellbeing. MGeo advances and deploys cutting-edge methods, models and technologies in environmental science, quaternary sciences, bedrock geology, paleontology, physical geography, biodiversity and ecosystem science, remote sensing, Geographic Information Science (GIS), and computational science for health and environment, to study processes spanning from the microscopic to the planetary, across all time scales.

This PhD Project will work on the further development, testing and application of the LPJ-GUESS biosphere model for modelling tropical wetlands and estimating tropical methane emissions. The work is part of the EU-funded project IM4CA (?url=https%3A%2F%2Fim4ca.eu&module=jobs&id=3219523" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fim4ca.eu&module=jobs&id=3219523" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://im4ca.eu).

Work duties

The PhD candidate will carry out research related to the objectives of IM4CA. In particular, this project will employ a wetland CH4 emissions module for the African Tropics and provide bottom-up wetlands emission estimates. As a first step the tropical wetland CH4 emissions module will be developed based on the existing wetlands formulation in the global dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS. As a next step, the process parameters of the improved module will be calibrated against local CH4 flux measurements representing tropical biomes. This calibration step will be based on a Bayesian optimisation approach that needs to be refined for this purpose here. The calibrated module will then be used to estimate pan-tropical wetlands CH4 emissions over the recent past.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

 

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science if he or she has:

• at least 60 credits at Master’s level in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science or comparable programme
  
  

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge of a higher programming language

 

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

 

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience with global dynamic vegetation models
• Knowledge of the global carbon cycle, in particular methane fluxes

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

 

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

 

Type of employment
Temporary position

Salary
Monthly salary

Number of positions
1

Full-time equivalent
100

City
Lund

County
Skåne län

Country
Sweden

Reference number
PA2026/250

Contact

• Marko Scholze, +46462224082, marko.scholzenateko.lu.se

Union representative

• OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, stst.lu.se
• SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, kanslisaco-s.lu.se, kanslisaco-s.lu.se
• SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366, sekocivilseko.lu.se

Published
18.Mar.2026

Last application date
19.Apr.2026

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