PhD Greenhouse gas emission from subarctic lakes

A full time PhD position is available within the project ‘Greenhouse Gas Emission from Lakes in Northern Permafrost Areas: Quantitative Importance and Climate Impacts’. Climate change and thawing of permafrost causes mobilization and decomposition of old carbon stocks from high latitude soils and, hence, releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases(CO2, CH4) to the atmosphere. Data now show that permafrost thawing can also increase the export and decomposition of terrestrial organic carbon stocks in lakes, implying a substantial flux of terrestrial organic carbon to the atmosphere. The project will quantify the importance of lakes and streams for the mineralization of terrestrial organic carbon and the subsequent release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere in regions of melting permafrost. The project will be carried out in the mountain region in subarctic northern Sweden and includes measurements of carbon fluxes in lakes and streams and experimental studies of how thawing of permafrost affect decomposition of terrestrial organic carbon in lakes.

PhD students normally spend 90% of the year to their studies/research, also taking part in other work at the department, doing 10% teaching (or administrative duties); the position will then last for 4 years and 5
months.

The recruitment procedure will follow the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen chapters 5 and 7). Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTScredits (swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level(Master level), or ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (swe. poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS-credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence. Relevant knowledge for the PhD position is aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, limnology and soil science (or similar). Documented experience in aquatic field work and experimental studies are meriting. Proficiency in both written and spoken English and a driving license are required. Your application should include a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the position (1 page), a CV including relevant academic degrees and former positions, and a list of university courses you have taken and the grades you were given, copies of degree certificates, your bachelor’s/master’s thesis and other publications (if any), and the names and contact details of two reference persons.

For further information, please contact Dr. Jan Karlsson, +46-(0)90-786 7769, .
Your complete application, marked with reference
number 313-285-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive April 16, 2009 at the latest.