Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Science
Stockholm University
Sweden

The Department of Environmental Science is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science. The Department is divided into four units with more than 170 researchers, teachers, doctoral students and technical/administrative staff from over 30 countries. Research and teaching focuses on chemical contaminants, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry and (eco)toxicology. As an employee at the Department of Environmental Science you will be part of a dynamic research environment with a strong international profile.

Project description
To further broaden our research profile, the Contaminant Chemistry Unit within the Department of Environmental Science is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with an open research focus. We invite young scientists interested in a postdoctoral position to submit proposals for a 2-year research project. The project should build on/complement the existing strengths in the Department of Environmental Science while introducing new research questions or methods. The Contaminant Chemistry Unit currently consists of 6 research groups (Benskin, Cousins, MacLeod, McLachlan, Posselt, and Sobek). Our research programs examine the occurrence and behavior of pollutants in the environment and in the technosphere. Areas of particular interest include the discovery of new contaminants, understanding the physical, chemical, and biological pathways that contaminants follow, and the development of novel tools and techniques for sampling and analysis. We strive to synthesize our scientific understanding about the sources, transport, transformation, bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants into mathematical models that inspire new scientific hypotheses and support environmental decision-making.

Available resources
The successful applicant will be provided with funding for their salary, consumables, and travel, along with instrument time to support their 2-year project. There are also opportunities to apply for additional (external) funding to extend the length of the employment. The Postdoctoral Researcher will have full access to ACES’ instrumental and wet lab facilities, which are shared across the Department, and include a range of mass sepctrometers (Orbitrap, ion mobility, quadrupole, etc.) coupled to both GC- and LC systems. ACES also has an extensive collection of sampling equipment for carrying out fieldwork and has close ties with external organizations/resources, such as the biospecimen bank at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Research in the Contaminant Chemistry Unit is supported by 4 full time lab staff, who will assist the researcher with day-to-day actvities (training, safety, ordering, troubleshooting, etc). 

Main responsibilities
The postdoctoral researcher will be assigned to- and receive mentorship from the research group leader that is the best fit with their research program. However, collaboration across multiple research groups is possible and encouraged. It is expected that the researcher will take the lead on experimental design and laboratory work (if necessary), as well as interpretation of data, data management, writing, and publishing, in collaboration with their project team. Teaching is not required as part of this position, but teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate level is possible, along with opportunities to receive pedagogical training.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills as well as the strength of the research proposal, and its potential to complement existing research in the Contaminant Chemistry Unit. 

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date in January 2025 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from the Head of the Unit, Professor Jon Benskin, telephone: +46 8 674 70 99, jon.benskin@aces.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter, including:
  – why you wish to undertake the project
  – how the project complements existing research in the Contaminant Chemistry Unit
  – what qualifies you for undertaking the project
• CV, including:
  – degrees and other relevant training
  – work experience
  – publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing a plan for the research to be carried out during the postdoctoral fellowship. A project budget is not necessary.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.