Department: Department of Environmental Science Institution: Stockholm University Employment Type: Temporary Position Contract Type: Full Time Full-time Equivalent: 100% Number of Positions: 1 Salary: Fixed Salary Location: Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden Reference Number: SU FV-2048-26 Published: 9 June 2026 Application Deadline: 31 July 2026 About the Department The Department of Environmental Science is one of the biggest departments at the Faculty of Science. The department consists of 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 environment with research in leading research areas and with a strong international profile. The Contaminant Chemistry Unit consists of six research groups. Our research programs examine the occurrence and behavior of pollutants in the environment and in the technosphere. Areas of particular interest include: Discovery of new contaminants. Understanding the physical, chemical and biological pathways that contaminants follow. Development of novel tools and techniques for sampling and analysis. We strive to synthesize our scientific understanding about the sources, transport, transformation and bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants into mathematical models that inspire new scientific hypotheses and support environmental decision-making. Project Description This PhD thesis project will be conducted within the Swedish Space Research School (SSRS), with funding from the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). Planetary Protection regulations promulgated by the Committee on Space Research set limits for microbial contamination of celestial bodies, particularly those that may harbor extant life (e.g., Mars). Chemicals and materials are currently not specifically regulated, but may also cause "harmful contamination" as defined in the Planetary Protection regulations. This project aims to develop an exposure-based approach to define "safe" chemicals and materials for use on Mars and other celestial bodies, and to lower exposure potential (and therefore risk) to any possible extant life and natural abiotic processes. The research will involve: Adapting chemical and material exposure assessment models developed for Earth's environment to the Martian environment. Scenario-based modelling to analyse alternative societal and policy development options for space exploration and colonization. Findings will be summarized as a set of policy recommendations for the COSPAR Guidelines on Planetary Protection that will extend their scope to include chemicals and materials. Qualification Requirements To be admitted to postgraduate education, applicants must meet both the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be fulfilled by the deadline for admission. General Entry Requirements You meet the general entry requirements if you have: Completed a second-cycle degree; or Completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level; or Otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere. Specific Entry Requirements Specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in Environmental Science are met if: At least 45 second-cycle creditsare in one of the natural sciences:Including a 30-credit thesis project. Biology Chemistry Earth Sciences Physics Meteorology The applicant should also have 30 credits in another natural science subject different from the major. Selection Criteria Selection among eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from doctoral education. The following criteria will be considered: Documented knowledge in a relevant field of research. Capacity for analytical and creative thinking. Initiative. Independence. Ability to collaborate. Written and oral proficiency in English. Meritorious Qualifications The following are considered merits: Background in environmental chemistry. Physical chemistry. Environmental physics. Material science. Experience in data analysis and/or process-based modelling using Python or a similar programming language. Selection follows the Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University. About the Employment We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment corresponds to four years of full-time doctoral education. Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their doctoral education. The employment may include education, research and administrative duties up to a maximum of 20%. A new doctoral employment is initially offered for a maximum of one year, after which it may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all. Contact For more information, please contact: Professor Matthew MacLeod Phone: +46 8 674 7168 Email: matthew.macleod@aces.su.se Application Apply for the PhD student position through Stockholm University's recruitment system. Please attach: Personal letter. Curriculum Vitae (CV). All attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete according to the instructions in the job advertisement and submitted before the application deadline. Instructions for applicants are available under "How to apply for a position." Union Representatives ST/OFR: 08162000 \| st@st.su.se Saco-S: 08162000 \| saco@saco.se Seko: 0770457900 \| sekodirekt@seko.se Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Engineeroxy

Department: Department of Environmental Science
Institution: Stockholm University
Employment Type: Temporary Position
Contract Type: Full Time
Full-time Equivalent: 100%
Number of Positions: 1
Salary: Fixed Salary
Location: Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Reference Number: SU FV-2048-26
Published: 9 June 2026
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026

About the Department

The Department of Environmental Science is one of the biggest departments at the Faculty of Science. The department consists of 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 environment with research in leading research areas and with a strong international profile.

The Contaminant Chemistry Unit consists of six research groups. Our research programs examine the occurrence and behavior of pollutants in the environment and in the technosphere. Areas of particular interest include:

Discovery of new contaminants.
Understanding the physical, chemical and biological pathways that contaminants follow.
Development of novel tools and techniques for sampling and analysis.

We strive to synthesize our scientific understanding about the sources, transport, transformation and bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants into mathematical models that inspire new scientific hypotheses and support environmental decision-making.

Project Description

This PhD thesis project will be conducted within the Swedish Space Research School (SSRS), with funding from the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA).

Planetary Protection regulations promulgated by the Committee on Space Research set limits for microbial contamination of celestial bodies, particularly those that may harbor extant life (e.g., Mars). Chemicals and materials are currently not specifically regulated, but may also cause "harmful contamination" as defined in the Planetary Protection regulations.

This project aims to develop an exposure-based approach to define "safe" chemicals and materials for use on Mars and other celestial bodies, and to lower exposure potential (and therefore risk) to any possible extant life and natural abiotic processes.

The research will involve:

Adapting chemical and material exposure assessment models developed for Earth's environment to the Martian environment.
Scenario-based modelling to analyse alternative societal and policy development options for space exploration and colonization.

Findings will be summarized as a set of policy recommendations for the COSPAR Guidelines on Planetary Protection that will extend their scope to include chemicals and materials.

Qualification Requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education, applicants must meet both the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be fulfilled by the deadline for admission.

General Entry Requirements

You meet the general entry requirements if you have:

Completed a second-cycle degree; or
Completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level; or
Otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific Entry Requirements

Specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in Environmental Science are met if:

At least 45 second-cycle creditsare in one of the natural sciences:Including a 30-credit thesis project.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Physics
- Meteorology
The applicant should also have 30 credits in another natural science subject different from the major.

Selection Criteria

Selection among eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from doctoral education.

The following criteria will be considered:

Documented knowledge in a relevant field of research.
Capacity for analytical and creative thinking.
Initiative.
Independence.
Ability to collaborate.
Written and oral proficiency in English.

Meritorious Qualifications

The following are considered merits:

Background in environmental chemistry.
Physical chemistry.
Environmental physics.
Material science.
Experience in data analysis and/or process-based modelling using Python or a similar programming language.

Selection follows the Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the Employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).

The employment corresponds to four years of full-time doctoral education.
Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their doctoral education.
The employment may include education, research and administrative duties up to a maximum of 20%.

A new doctoral employment is initially offered for a maximum of one year, after which it may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

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

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Professor Matthew MacLeod
Phone: +46 8 674 7168
Email: matthew.macleod@aces.su.se

Application

Apply for the PhD student position through Stockholm University's recruitment system.

Please attach:

Personal letter.
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
All attachments requested in the application form.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete according to the instructions in the job advertisement and submitted before the application deadline.

Instructions for applicants are available under "How to apply for a position."