Postdoctoral Position I (2 years) in Mercury Biogeochemistry within the Sino-Swedish Mercury Research Network

Employer:  Umeå University 
 Date Posted:  10/09/2014 
Application Deadline: 12/1/2014

Job Description

Two post-doctoral positions are announced within the Sino-Swedish Mercury Management Research Framework (SMaReF), funded by the Swedish Research Council. One position will be placed at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University (UmU) and one at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Umeå.

Mercury is a globally spread pollutant locally having severe consequences on wildlife and human populations living on fish and rice. The overarching goal of SMaReF is to exchange knowledge and enhance collaboration between scientists in China and Sweden to improve our understanding about the fundamental processes of Hg transformation and bioaccumulation and to suggest measures to be taken to counteract the negative effects of mercury. SMaReF currently comprises about two dozen of scientists from China and Sweden, covering all major aspects of mercury biogeochemistry and cycling in the environment. The activities are loosely organized into four work packages: WP1: land-air exchange, WP2: methylation-demethylation, WP3: bioaccumulation, WP4: remediation.

Project:
The post-doctoral position will explore the processes of Hg(II) methylation – MeHg demethylation and Hg(II) reduction - Hg(0) oxidation. The processes will be studied at the molecular level and in contrasting environments, taking advantage of climatic and geological differences between Sweden and China. Key environments are different types of wetlands and aquatic sediments, including sites contaminated by mining and industry. The influence of extensive land-use such as forestry (in Sweden) and rice and aquaculture (in China) will be included. The scientific approach will include field studies and controlled micro- and mesocosm scale laboratory experiments as well as chemical speciation modelling. State-of-the-art technologies such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and stable Hg isotope tracer and fractionation are central tools.
The post doc placed at Umeå University will work in close collaboration with the post doc placed at SLU.

The position is for full-time over two years. The starting date will be decided in agreement between the candidate and employer.

Requirements:
Successful candidates will have a PhD in (bio)geochemistry, preferably with a focus on mercury, or in closely related fields. To be eligible for this position, you should have completed your doctoral degree maximum three years before the end of the application period. Demonstrated experience in applying synchrotron based spectroscopy (e.g. XAS), stable Hg isotope methods, other relevant analytical techniques, as well as chemical speciation modelling to environmental samples are considered meritorious.
We also demand a documented capability of autonomous scientific research work and skills in writing scientific publications and reports in English. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher is expected to participate in other ongoing research projects within the collaborating research groups, and a willingness to develop research-funding possibilities within the research groups is encouraged. Very good command of the English language, both written and spoken, is required.

Application:
Your application should contain: (1) a cover letter summarizing your research accomplishments and how you could contribute to the research project, (2) a Curriculum Vitae, (3) a publication list, (4) transcripts of relevant degree certificates and publications, and (5) names and contact details of 2-3 references.
The application should be written in English or Swedish and can be submitted either electronically or in hard-copy form. All documents submitted in hard-copy form should be in duplicate, and all electronically submitted material should be in MS Word or PDF format.

Information:
For more information, please contact Associated Professor Erik Björn, Department of Chemistry, phone: +46(0)90 786 51 89, e-mail: erik.bjorn@chem.umu.se.

Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, saco@adm.umu.se, SEKO, +46-(0)90-786 52 96, seko@adm.umu.se and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31, st@adm.umu.se.

Your complete application, marked with reference number AN 2.2.1.4-1106-14, should be sent to jobb@umu.se (state the reference number as subject) or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive December 1, 2014 at the latest.

We look forward to receiving your application!  
 
Contact:  Erik Björn
Department of Chemistry
Umeå University
Department of Chemistry, Umeå University
Umeå,  SE-901 87
Sweden
Phone: +46907865189
Email: jobb@umu.se
Employer's Web Site: Visit employer's website
Online Application: Apply for this job from Employer's website

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