PhD student in Hydrology, with specialization in phytoremediation of PFAS-contaminated sites
Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a threat to drinking water resources in Sweden and worldwide. Are you interested in working with phytoremediation of PFAS-contaminated sites, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a position as PhD-student in Hydrology, with specialization in phytoremediation of PFAS-contaminated sites at Uppsala University.
The Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University is Sweden´s largest and most versatile department of its kind with approximately 300 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural science and technology with social science. We have research programs in air, water and landscape science; geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; petrology, mineralogy and tectonics; paleobiology, and wind energy. The program for air, water and landscape science offers a stimulating, international environment with many PhD-students and postdocs. We have excellent research on water and the environment and long experience of working on soil and groundwater pollution, including several ongoing projects on PFAS. For more information see: Department of Earth Sciences
In this project we will collaborate closely with Kristianstad University (HKR). HKR has a highly motivated research group with competence in phytoremediation and active collaboration with relevant companies and owners of PFAS contaminated sites. The research environment for sustainable multifunctional landscapes focuses on the interplay between humans and environment, including human influence on biodiversity, ecosystems, climate and human wellbeing (see Sustainable Multifunctional Landscapes (SMULA) | HKR.se)
Project description
In Sweden, thousands of people have had their drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), so-called ‘forever chemicals’ that do not break down naturally and are harmful to health even in very low concentrations. One of the most significant sources of PFAS in the environment is old fire training sites, where firefighting foam containing PFAS has been used for decades. Such sites are found all over the world and constitute a global problem. Excavation and destruction of PFAS-contaminated soil is in many cases not practically possible due to extremely high costs or the problem being moved from one location to another. Therefore, there is a great need for alternative in-situ treatment methods for PFAS contaminated sites.
The project will study the possibility of using the plant Salix (Willow) for phytoremediation of PFAS-contaminated fire training areas. Many PFAS have high solubility in water and spread from contaminated soil to groundwater and surface water. The mobility of PFAS means that they can also be taken up by plants, which can then be harvested and destroyed by controlled incineration. Salix also takes up and transpirates a lot of water, which reduces the amount of water that penetrates the soil profile and thereby also reduces the leaching of PFAS. Furthermore, Salix adds organic material to the soil, which increases the carbon content and binds particularly the less soluble PFAS. Phytoremediation with Salix therefore has good potential to slow the spreading and, in the long term, reduce the concentration of PFAS in contaminated areas.
At the Kristianstad Rescue Service’s fire training sites in Ă…hus and Kristianstad, there are high levels of PFAS in soil and groundwater. The project is a collaboration between researchers at Kristianstad University and Uppsala University, representatives of the Kristianstad Rescue Service and the company Laqua Treatment AB. The project will evaluate Salix’s ability to extract PFAS from groundwater and soil in controlled scientific studies at laboratory, pilot and field scale. As a doctoral student in the project, you will work on all parts of the project in collaboration and with the support of other project partners.
Duties
To work on all parts of the research project, publish the results in scientific journals (these articles become part of the doctoral thesis), present results at national and international conferences and project meetings, contribute to the project’s technical final report and the dissemination of results. The doctoral studies also include courses that are chosen according to the needs of the doctoral student and the research project. We further offer the possibility to participate in teaching but this is voluntary.
Experiments and field studies will mainly be carried out in or near Kristianstad, under guidance and leadership of Kristianstad University (HKR), while the formal doctoral education will take place at Uppsala University (UU). The doctoral student will therefore divide their time between UU and HKR. The distribution is estimated to be approximately 50% at each university, with some flexibility and the possibility of adapting the time distribution depending on the needs of the project and what is most practical. The project is a close collaboration between the universities and the doctoral student will have a main supervisor at UU and assistant supervisor(s) at HKR.
Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must
- hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in hydrology, hydrogeology, environmental and/or water engineering, environmental science, technical geology or equivalent
- have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
- have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
Excellent written and spoken English is a requirement. You need to be able to work effectively both individually and in a group and run scientific projects in collaboration with other researchers.
Additional qualifications
Knowledge of phytoremediation of contaminants and of the transport mechanisms of PFAS in the soil-groundwater system is particularly advantageous for the position. Experience in laboratory and/or field work related to pollution issues is advantageous, as is knowledge of modelling of transport processes in the soil-groundwater system and knowledge of soil remediation techniques. We also place great importance on personal qualities such as dedication, analytical skills, ability to collaborate, ability to work towards targets and goals in a structured manner and plan and complete projects. A driving license (B) is advantageous because field work in Kristianstad and the surrounding area can be facilitated by access to a car. Ability to communicate in Swedish is also considered a merit.
Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University”s rules and guidelines.
About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 December 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala
For further information about the position, please contact: Fritjof Fagerlund e-mail: fritjof.fagerlund@geo.uu.se.
In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. The answers will be used as a part of the selection process.
Please submit your application by 16 October 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2795.
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- Placement: Department of Earth Sciences
- Scope: Full time
- Working hours: 100%
- Type of employment: Temporary position
- Pay: fixed salary
- Number of positions: 1
- Town: Uppsala
- Union representative:
- Number of reference: UFV-PA 2025/2795
- Last application date: 16 October 2025
