PhD Student in Applied Geochemistry

Publiceringsdatum: 2026-03-31

Vill du ta steget att arbeta som doktorand hos Luleå Tekniska Universitet? Nu har du möjligheten. Detta är ett jobb på heltid där Luleå Tekniska Universitet letar efter någon under 6 månader eller längre. Denna tjänst finns tillgänglig i Luleå som är tjänsteorten.

Om du tycker att det låter intressant att börja jobba hos Luleå Tekniska Universitet i rollen som doktorand så har de just nu en ledig tjänst som skulle kunna vara en perfekt match för dig! Du har fortfarande tid att söka jobbet som doktorand hos Luleå Tekniska Universitet om du sickar in din ansökan senast sista ansökningsdag som är tisdag den tjugoförsta april 2026.

Jobbannons

Groundwater Geochemistry as Tracer of Critical Raw Materials (CRM) in the Per Geijer Mining District

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research areas. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, the public sector and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of just over SEK 2.3 billion. We have more than 1,800 employees and nearly 21,600 students

Under the research subject Applied Geochemistry at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology (LTU), we are looking for a PhD student with focusing on the occurrence and mobility of CRM in the Per Geijer Mining District in Northern Sweden. This project will be conducted in close collaboration with LKAB and the Centre of Advanced Mining and Metallurgy (CAMM-SFO) at LTU. This project gives the opportunity to study in a dynamic, international research environment in close collaboration with the mining industry and leading universities worldwide. Applied Geochemistry at LTU focuses both natural and anthropogenic sources influenced by the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. This is achieved by combining analytical chemistry, isotopic geochemistry, environmental forensics, and environmental mineralogy. Special focus is put on Critical Raw Material mobilization in the environment. The research group has a strong experimental and applied profile, with well-equipped laboratories and extensive collaborations with industry and the public sector, all geared towards building a long-term, sustainable society

Subject description

Applied Geochemistry is concerned with studies into the occurrence and mobility of the elements in rocks, soil, and water, focusing on methods to prevent or reduce the environmental impact of metal extraction and infrastructure development.

Project description

The PhD project will focus on water rock interaction and groundwater geochemistry as a tracer of source of critical raw materials (CRM) in the Per Geijer mining district in Northern Sweden, which hosts Europe’s largest known rare earth element (REE) deposit. Since mining at Per Geijer has not yet commenced, the site provides a unique opportunity to establish a pre-mining groundwater geochemical baseline and to investigate natural CRM mobilization under undisturbed conditions.

The work include multi-elementand isotope analysis and data interpretation.  Mineralogical characterization (µXRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, electron microprobe, LA-ICP-MS). Integration with hydrogeological and 3D geological models in collaboration with LKAB.

Duties

As a PhD student, you will conduct field work of groundwater sampling and drill core sampling. Perform laboratory-based geochemical and mineralogical analyses. Apply isotopic and trace element techniques. Integrate and interpret multi-disciplinary datasets. Publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present findings at national and international conferences.

Most of your working time will be devoted to your doctoral research. Teaching and departmental duties may constitute up to 20% of full-time employment.

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in hydrogeochemistry, critical raw materials, and sustainable mining.

You must have:

• A Master’s degree in geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, environmental geoscience, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of aqueous geochemistry and water–rock interaction processes
• Good oral and written proficiency in English

Meritorious qualifications include:

• Experience with mineralogical characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS)
• Experience in isotope geochemistry
• Field experience
• Experience with geochemical modeling or statistical data analysis

Personal qualities such as analytical ability, independence, collaboration skills, and strong motivation for research will be given significant weight.

For further information about a specific subject see

• General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Further information

Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: according to agreement

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Lena Alakangas, +46 920-49 1396, Lena.Alakangas@ltu.se or Vimbainashe.Dzimbanhete@ltu.se

Union representatives:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer,(+46 )920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, (+46) 920-49 1721 marika.vesterberg@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application

We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: April 21, 2026

Reference number: 2788-2026