Post-doc researcher in Water Quality Modelling

Water quality impacts of agricultural ditch remediation
The Department of Soil & Environment conducts research, environmental monitoring & assessment and higher education for sustainable soil management in agriculture, forestry and urban environments. Outcomes are aligned to and contribute towards national and international strategies on food security, national environmental objectives and climate reporting as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The majority of the department’s activities and employees are located in the Soil-Water-Environment building on the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala, and there is a research group and a field research station situated in Skara.
The aim of this post-doc project is to evaluate how the design of remediated ditches and streams affects their ability to reduce nutrient and sediment concentrations and loads both at reach and catchment scales. The project will calibrate and validate HEC-RAS and HYPE models for selected two-stage ditches in Sweden and their catchments using existing hydrochemical data. This new knowledge will help to form guidelines on how to effectively manage agricultural ditches and streams to reduce eutrophication and erosion. The work is part of a 3-year Formas project, which brings together scientists and stakeholders from Sweden and the US, working on improving water quality in agricultural landscapes. The successful applicant will join a scientific community of researchers, post-docs and PhD students at the Department of Soil and Environment (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/soil-environment/). The Department carries out teaching and research on chemical, physical and biological properties and processes in soil, aiming for a sustainable soil management.

Duties:
The researcher will:


• statistically analyse existing hydrochemical time series,
• use them to calibrate and validate HEC-RAS and HYPE models in selected catchments,
• use modelling outcomes to provide recommendations on remediated ditch design and management,
• prepare scientific publications,
• join and present at scientific meetings.

Qualifications:
The applicant should have a PhD degree in Hydrology, Water Quality Management, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Soil Science, Ecology, Agronomy or similar subjects. The key qualifications needed by a prospective applicant are understanding of and practical experience with hydrological and hydrochemical modelling, excellent numerical, analytical and English communication skills and proficiency in using statistical computing tools. Practical knowledge of hydrological, hydrochemical and ecological methods, experience in planning and conducting field and laboratory experiments, good writing skills are essential. The applicant should have the ability to work both independently and in a team.

Evaluation will be based on submitted material including CV, motivation letter, PhD thesis and scientific and popular science publications. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed remotely.

A CV should include the following sections: education, work experience, research interests, awards, publications, presentations at conferences, teaching experience, field work experience, laboratory experience, hydrological and hydrochemical modelling experience, software and computing skills, languages, driving license and contact details for three reference persons.

A motivation letter should motivate the applicant’s qualifications and interest in conducting this project with a specific focus on documenting hydrological and hydrochemical modelling interest, knowledge and practical experience.

The position is intended for junior scientists and we are preferably looking for applicants that have received their PhD not later than three years ago.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 18 months, with possible extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
September 2021 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2021-07-23, use the button below.

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



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.