PhD student on Arctic Ocean methane oxidation

European Geosciences Union; Stockholms kommun; Hybrid; SEK 346,000 - 402,000; Full time

Job summary

Stockholm University invites applications for a PhD student position on Arctic Ocean methane oxidation. The PhD thesis will be conducted within the project “Observational constraints on Arctic Ocean methane systems as tipping elements and triggers of climate overshoot”, with sampling and modelling components.

The position is part of Birgit Wild's research group, in collaboration with Örjan Gustafsson and WeiLi Hong, and may include field work and access to laboratory facilities for biomarker

Qualifications

• Master degree required.
• PhD student / graduate / internship level.
• Experience in biogeosciences or Arctic Ocean studies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on Arctic Ocean methane oxidation and related processes.
• Analyze methane and CO2 biomarkers, isotopes, and related data.
• Collaborate with supervisor Birgit Wild and project partners; develop a detailed project plan.

Job description

PhD student on Arctic Ocean methane oxidation

Employer

Stockholm University

Location

Stockholm, Sweden

Sector

Biogeosciences (BG)
Cryospheric Sciences (CR)
Ocean Sciences (OS)

Type

Full time

Level

Student / Graduate / Internship

Open

Required education

Master

31 July 2026

Posted

The thesis work will be conducted within the project “Observational constraints on Arctic Ocean methane systems as tipping elements and triggers of climate overshoot”, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The project focuses on methane releases from thawing subsea permafrost and collapsing hydrates of the Arctic Ocean. Hotspots of high methane concentrations have been observed especially on the Eurasian Arctic Ocean shelves and slopes, but the sources, sinks, release processes, emissions to the atmosphere, and future trajectories are highly uncertain. The project aims to answer these questions by integrating observational and modelling tools. The PhD position will be associated with the research group of Birgit Wild, and will be part of a larger research team working on the same project, including project partners Örjan Gustafsson and WeiLi Hong (both Stockholm University).

The PhD thesis might focus on different aspects of the grand theme but the ideas should be complementary to the overarching project goals. Possibilities include, but are not restricted to, experimental and modelling work to constrain methane oxidation rates, the impact of methane oxidation on ocean acidification, and the role of subsea permafrost for methane release on the Arctic Ocean shelves. We have a large collection of samples and data especially from the Russian Arctic Ocean shelves available at Stockholm University, and laboratory facilities for e.g., controlled experiments; analyses of various biomarkers (incl. compound‑specific 13C and 14C analyses); of concentrations, stable and radioisotopes of methane and CO2; of microbial community composition etc.

The position might include also additional field work. A detailed project plan will be developed by the PhD student, with support by main supervisor Birgit Wild and other colleagues in the first three months of the position.