Arbetsbeskrivning

We are seeking a Doctoral student to become part of our team at the Division of Physical Resource Theory within the Department of Environmental and Energy Sciences. Join our innovative team and contribute to exciting research on land use and climate in a collaborative and dynamic environment. About us  At the Division of Physical Resource Theory, we study how societies can transition towards sustainability. Building on natural sciences and systems analysis, our interdisciplinary research connects technical and social sciences to address challenges such as climate change, energy transitions and land use.  About the research project   How we manage forests and use forestry resources shapes how much carbon is stored in forests and wood products, and therefore the forestry sector's climate impacts. This Doctoral student position will examine the carbon impacts of forestry and wood-based products, including the key tension between leaving trees standing to sequester carbon and harvesting them to replace fossil-intensive materials. The research might also explore the climate and environmental footprint of agriculture and food. A central theme is how competing land uses — for wood, food, energy, and conservation — create trade-offs that influence policy decisions. Who we are looking for The following requirements are mandatory: • To qualify as a doctoral student, you must have either a master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a magisterexamen of 60 credits* in a relevant field, such as environmental science, forestry, physical geography, agricultural science, or a closely related discipline. • Strong analytical and mathematical skills, including proficiency in quantitative modeling, data analysis, and scientific computing (e.g., R, Python). • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. *for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.  The following experience will strengthen your application:  • Experience with lifecycle assessment, carbon accounting, or agricultural greenhouse gas estimation. • Proficiency in working with spatial data and geospatial tools. • Interest in science–policy interfaces. What you will do • Develop and apply biophysical and economic models of greenhouse gas emissions from forest and agricultural systems, building on and extending existing frameworks such as the ClimAg and CRAFT models used in the TERRAMARE project. This EU Horizon-funded project aims to create a tool that enables policymakers to evaluate trade-offs in the use of different biomass sources to address food, energy, and fiber needs, as well as the effects of and on climate change, biodiversity, and overall environmental health indicators. The project will run from September 2026 to August 2029. • Examine trade-offs between carbon sequestration goals and other land-use demands (biodiversity conservation, food production, timber, and bioenergy) at European and sub-national levels. • Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate School of Energy, Environment & Systems  • The position also includes teaching at Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other department duties corresponding to up to 20 percent of working hours. Contract terms   • The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from the start. • The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years. • A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025) • Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise, the admission may be withdrawn.  What we offer  • As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about  working at Chalmers  and our benefits for employees.  • A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.  • Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare, etc., at Move To Gothenburg.  Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.  If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in. Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here. Application procedure The application should be written in English and attached as PDF files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files. CV  Personal letter  • A brief introduction about yourself.  • A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.  Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.  Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.   A background check may be conducted as part of the application process. Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details for references will be requested after the interview.  We welcome your application no later than April 30, 2026. For questions, please contact:   Stefan Wirsenius, Associate Professor Email: [email protected] We look forward to your application!  *** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***    Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit in close collaboration with wider society.  Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.