Doctoral Student- Uncovering Hidden Chemical Threats in EU Soils via Integrated Methods

Official university vacancy imported from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Details are presented for discovery and may change. Confirm the latest requirements and apply on the official source.

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment

Third-cycle subject area

Environmental assessment, specialising in environmental chemistry.

Description of the doctoral project

This doctoral project aims to improve the understanding of contaminants of emerging concern in soil matrices by using advanced chemical screening and source-oriented approaches as strategies for chemical prioritisation. The project will investigate the occurrence, distribution and transformation of contaminants in soils, and how these processes can be used to identify substances of relevance for terrestrial ecosystems and One Health. The project will focus on one or more selected soil systems, depending on sample availability, collaborations and scientific relevance.

The project includes i) selecting relevant soil systems, soil matrices and contaminants of emerging concern based on occurrence data, chemical properties, environmental persistence, mobility and available samples; ii) applying target, suspect and non-target screening using LC-HRMS to identify known and previously unknown substances in selected soil matrices; iii) assessing spatial patterns, persistence and transformation of contaminants where suitable data and samples are available; iv) using environmental specimen bank samples, where available, to investigate temporal trends and support retrospective screening; and v) connecting measured chemical patterns to possible environmental sources and processes governing contaminant distribution and fate.

You will work in an international, interdisciplinary team. The project provides access to advanced instrumentation and training in sample preparation, HRMS-based chemical analysis, data processing, statistical evaluation, scientific communication, and collaborative research.

We are seeking a PhD student who will advance the understanding of contaminants of emerging concern in soil matrices, with a particular focus on contaminant occurrence, persistence, transformation, mobility and advanced chemical screening. To achieve this aim, you will develop and apply analytical workflows for the detection and identification of known and previously unknown compounds in complex soil matrices, including sample preparation, extraction and clean-up strategies. The project will also include semi-quantitative analysis of detected compounds and the assessment of spatial and temporal patterns, persistence and transformation of contaminants in selected soil systems. Where suitable samples are available, environmental specimen bank material may be used to investigate time trends and support retrospective screening. The duties also include preparation of soil and environmental samples, extraction and analysis of target and non-target compounds, optimisation of analytical workflows, processing of large HRMS datasets, data analysis, statistical evaluation, interpretation of chemical patterns in relation to environmental sources and contaminant fate, collaboration with national and international partners, and scientific manuscript writing in English.

To meet the general entry requirements you must have been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in Environmental assessment, specialising in environmental chemistry. To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have knowledge of aquatic ecology, aquatic biogeochemistry, statistics or ecotoxicology.

You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.

Applicants shall hold an MSc in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, chemistry, environmental science, soil science, geoscience or equivalent. Specialisation in chemical analysis of organic contaminants and experience with LC-MS/MS, LC-HRMS or other advanced mass spectrometry techniques are valuable merits. Experience with suspect and non-target screening workflows is highly desirable. Previous experience with chemical analytical laboratory work, particularly involving complex environmental matrices such as soil, sediment, sludge, compost or other solid environmental samples, is advantageous.

Knowledge of contaminants of emerging concern, their environmental fate, persistence, transformation, mobility, sorption or transport in soil systems is considered a merit. Experience with source apportionment, spatial or temporal trend analysis, retrospective screening or environmental specimen bank samples is also considered an advantage. Data processing skills using statistical computing, visualisation and data analysis tools (e.g. R, Python or similar) are also considered a merit. Emphasis is also placed on personal characteristics such as strong interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, accuracy, motivation, and the capacity to work independently as well as in collaboration with others.

The Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment is working with applied environmental science, with a national responsibility for assessing the condition of Swedish surface waters with respect to water chemistry, pollution and aquatic biota. The research focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, microbial ecology as well as on environmental chemistry and aquatic ecotoxicology. The department has about 150 employees, of which approximately half are researchers/doctoral students and the other half are technical and administrative staff.

For more information about the department visit: www.slu.se/aquatic-sciences

Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/.

Form of employment / FundingEmployment as a doctoral student (4-year programme).

Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.

Start date:Upon agreement.

Application and selection:Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 18 September 2026.

Read more about the attachments that your application should include at https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.

Academic union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

• Reference number SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2609
• Publishing date 4 September 2026
• Last date to apply 18 September 2026
• Working hours Day
• Position PhD student
• Occupation area PhD
• Occupation degree Full time
• Employment level Time limited employment (temporary)
• Organizations SLU, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Scie, Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment

Contact persons

• Lutz Ahrens
• Professor
• +46-18-673033
• lutz.ahrens@slu.se