PhD student in Arctic freshwater ecology

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment

Third-cycle subject area

Biology with specialisation in ecology

Description of the doctoral project

The overall aim of this PhD project is to understand the influence of climate-driven changes in vegetation cover and winter conditions on habitats and food webs of Arctic/alpine lakes. Climate change is promoting the expansion of terrestrial vegetation, which enhances nutrient sequestration in the Arctic/alpine landscapes and contributes to long-term declines in nutrient input to lakes (i.e., oligotrophication). Concurrently, changing winter conditions, including shorter ice-covered periods and increased snow cover, alter underwater light availability for primary production and oxygen availability for aquatic organisms during winter. This project will use a space-for-time field survey approach to (i) assess the effects of lake oligotrophication and changing winter conditions on benthic biofilm communities across different lake habitats; (ii) evaluate the consequences of biofilm compositional changes for the production and trophic transfer of health-promoting biomolecules (i.e., essential polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA) versus harmful biomolecules (i.e., cyanotoxins) to higher trophic levels including fish; and (iii) quantify the extent to which oligotrophication and changing winter conditions alter Arctic/alpine lake food webs, including consumer diets, the relative importance of benthic versus pelagic energy pathways, and food-chain length.

About the position

The candidate will work with an international consortium involving collaborators from across the Nordic countries and North America. The project will use samples and data collected from Arctic/alpine lakes in Sweden and other circumpolar regions. Implementation methods will include:

• Seasonal sampling of food web components, from primary producers to fish, during open-water (summer) and under-ice (winter) conditions.
• Analysis of biomarkers (PUFA and cyanotoxins) in biological samples using chromatographic techniques.
• Integration and synthesis of previous data with newly collected data on fatty acids, cyanotoxins, and stable isotopes.
• Application of Bayesian mixing models to investigate consumer diets and food web pathways

Requirements

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 Biology with specialisation in ecology. To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have least 90 HEC in biology-related subjects. This must include a degree project and at least 30 HEC must be at second-cycle level.

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

Your profile

Applicants should hold a degree in aquatic ecology, limnology, ecology, or equivalent. Experience in winter biological sampling at ice-covered lakes is highly meritorious. Strong skills in statistical analysis, experience in scientific publication, and fluency in written and oral Swedish are merits. Advantageous attributes include a working knowledge of aquatic food webs (e.g., algae, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, fish), Arctic ecology, and/or biogeochemistry. Experience in relevant biological sampling techniques and in biomarker analysis is also advantageous. Emphasis will also be placed on personal qualities including the capability of critical thinking, problem‑solving skills, and the capacity to work independently and in a team. Strong written and spoken English skills, as well as a driver’s license valid for use in Sweden, are required.

About us

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 / Funding
Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme).

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

Location:
Uppsala

Scope:
100%

Start date:
December 2026.

Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 12 October 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/  

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden. SLU has around 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.