Summary
Uppsala University’s Department of Earth Sciences is offering a fully funded PhD student position in Hydrology focusing on flow and solute transport in fractured rocks. The successful candidate will join the Air, Water, and Landscape Science (LUVAL) research program to advance numerical modeling and uncertainty quantification methods, helping improve long-term safety assessments for radioactive waste geological repositories.
PhD Position in Hydrology: Flow and Transport in Fractured Rocks
Position Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Designation | PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher |
| Department | Department of Earth Sciences (LUVAL Program) |
| Institution | Uppsala University |
| Location | Uppsala, Sweden |
| Employment Type | Full-time (100%), Temporary (4 years of doctoral studies) |
| Remuneration | Fixed monthly salary (according to local university doctoral agreements) |
| Starting Date | February 1, 2027 (or as agreed) |
| Reference Number | UFV-PA 2026/2478 |
| Application Deadline | October 1, 2026 |
Research Area
- Field: Hydrogeology / Hydrology
- Key Topics: Subsurface flow, solute transport, fractured media modeling, uncertainty quantification, statistical methods/machine learning, and radioactive waste disposal safety assessments.
Location
- City: Uppsala, Sweden
- Campus: Uppsala University (Department of Earth Sciences)
Eligibility & Qualifications
Basic Requirements
- Master’s (second-cycle) degree in hydrogeology, hydrology, rock mechanics, geophysics, geotechnical engineering, water engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, or a closely related field.
- Completion of at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), including at least 60 credits at the Master’s level (with an independent degree project of at least 15 credits), or equivalent knowledge.
Essential Skills
- Solid foundation in mathematics and physics.
- Demonstrated experience in numerical modeling or scientific programming.
Additional Merits
- Prior knowledge of subsurface flow and transport or fractured media.
- Familiarity with uncertainty quantification, statistical methods, or machine learning techniques.
Scholarship & Position Description
The doctoral project centers on developing advanced methods to quantify uncertainties when simulating flow and solute transport across fractured rock formations.
- Key Duties:
- Build and run high-fidelity numerical models of subsurface fluid flow and transport.
- Quantify and analyze predictive model uncertainties.
- Formulate efficient evaluation frameworks representative of Swedish geological repository conditions to support long-term nuclear waste safety cases.
- Working Conditions: The position is a fully employed doctoral studentship under Chapter 5 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, offering Swedish social benefits, health insurance, paid vacation, and pension contributions.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through Uppsala University’s online recruitment portal:
- Prepare Application Materials:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Certified copies of relevant diplomas, degrees, and academic transcripts.
- A copy of your Master’s thesis (or equivalent work).
- Contact details for two professional/academic referees.
- Online Form: In place of a traditional cover letter, applicants must answer specific qualifying questions directly within the recruitment portal.
- Contact Person: Qinghua Lei (
qinghua.lei@geo.uu.se) for project-specific inquiries.
Last Date for Apply
- Application Deadline: October 1, 2026 (Reference:
UFV-PA 2026/2478)
