Doctoral student in Chemistry

Karlstad University; Sweden; On-site; SEK 328,025 - 392,910; Full time

Job summary

Karlstad University is seeking a doctoral student to join the COAST PFAS Transition Lab, addressing PFAS contamination in coastal environments. This position involves advanced analytical techniques, fieldwork, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in organic analytical chemistry and experience with mass spectrometry. The doctoral program requires 240 credits over four years, culminating in a doctoral thesis, with a monthly salary of SEK 32,300.

Application deadline is 31 August 2026.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of organic analytical chemistry is essential.
• Experience with sample preparation and advanced analytical techniques is desirable.
• Familiarity with multivariate statistics and data interpretation is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced analytical methods for PFAS analysis.
• Interpret large analytical data sets for environmental models.
• Collaborate with researchers across various sectors.

Skills

Organic analytical chemistry

Sample preparation

LC‑MS/MS

Q‑TOF

Multivariate statistics

Education

Doctoral degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

High‑resolution mass spectrometry

Combustion ion chromatography

Job description

Overview

Örebro University and the School of Science and Technology are looking for a doctoral student for the doctoral programme in Chemistry, starting Fall 2026. The student will work on the research project COAST PFAS – Coastal PFAS Transition Lab for Source Control, Substitution and Governance, a transdisciplinary initiative addressing the spread of per‑and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from urban and industrial sources to coastal environments.

Project Focus

Work will centre on PFAS flows from land to sea, involving targeted and non‑targeted PFAS analysis in wastewater, stormwater, industrial effluents and receiving waters. Tasks include developing sector‑specific PFAS fingerprints, mass‑balance approaches, interpreting large analytical datasets, and integrating results into source‑tracking and fate‑assessment frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced analytical methods: LC‑MS/MS, combustion ion chromatography, extraction organofluorine analysis, oxidation of PFAS precursors, and high‑resolution mass spectrometry for suspect and non‑target screening.
• Interpret large analytical data sets and incorporate findings into broader environmental models.
• Participate actively in field sampling campaigns, laboratory work, workshops, and collaborative research activities within the COAST PFAS Transition Lab.
• Collaborate with researchers and stakeholders across academia, industry, and the public sector, including partner institutions in Sweden and internationally.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of organic analytical chemistry.
• Experience with sample preparation, LC‑MS/MS, Q‑TOF, high‑resolution mass spectrometry, or combustion ion chromatography is desirable.
• Familiarity with multivariate statistics and data interpretation.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary, collaborative research environments.
• Valid driver’s licence is considered a merit due to fieldwork requirements.

Supervision

The doctoral student will be supervised by Leo Yeung (principal supervisor) and Felicia Fredriksson (assistant supervisor).

Programme Details

The doctoral program requires 240 credits over four years, culminating in a doctoral thesis. Full‑time doctoral studentship provides a monthly salary of SEK 32 300.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 31 August 2026. We look forward to receiving your application.