PhD Student in Geological Sciences

Stockholm University

Reference number: SU FV-4569-25
Institution: Stockholm University, Department of Geological Sciences
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Employment type: Full-time, temporary PhD position
Application deadline: 31 January 2026

Project Overview

The project investigates how prebiotic organic matter interacted with minerals on early Earth to form the earliest sedimentary structures, potentially resembling biosignatures.

Key aspects:

• Study of organofilms and their influence on carbonate precipitation
• Laboratory experiments simulating early Earth environments: fluctuating redox conditions, wet–dry cycles, mineral interactions
• Fieldwork in the Atacama Desert for natural analog comparisons
• Training in carbonate biogeochemistry, organomineralization, and geomicrobiology
• International collaboration with University of Fribourg (UniFR) and University of Connecticut
• Supervision: Dr. Christophe Dupraz (Stockholm University) & Prof. Anneleen Foubert (UniFR)

Duties

• Conduct original PhD research
• Participate in laboratory and fieldwork
• Develop and execute experiments in organomineralization
• Prepare a doctoral thesis (~4 years full-time)
• Limited departmental duties allowed (max 20%)

Eligibility

General requirements:

• Completed second-cycle degree (Master’s) or equivalent (240 HE credits, 60 at second-cycle level)
• Equivalent international qualifications accepted

Specific requirements:

• ≥90 credits in geosciences
• ≥30 credits in math, physics, chemistry, or biology
• ≥60 advanced-level credits, including 30 in independent geoscience work

Special qualifications:

• Relevant laboratory or field experience in geochemistry, mineralogy, organic chemistry, or prebiotic chemistry
• Experience with experimental systems or analytical techniques (spectroscopy, microscopy, isotope geochemistry)
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Creativity, initiative, analytical skills, independence

Assessment Criteria

• Academic record and grades
• Quality of prior research projects or theses
• Relevant lab/field experience
• Research proposal (max 2 pages) submitted with application
• References and interviews
• Advantageous: controlled-atmosphere work, photochemical experiments, geochemical modeling

Employment Terms

• Fixed-term employment under Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100)
• Max 4 years full-time equivalent
• Primary focus on doctoral education; departmental duties limited to 20%

Application Requirements

• Personal letter / motivation statement
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Attachments requested in Stockholm University’s application form

Application portal: Stockholm University recruitment system

Contact

Principal Supervisor:
Prof. Christophe Dupraz
Email: christophe.dupraz@geo.su.se

Union Representatives:

• ST/OFR: st@st.su.se
• Saco-S: saco@saco.su.se
• Seko: sekodirekt@seko.se

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