PhD Position in Physical Oceanography – Focus on Polar Regions (University of Gothenburg)

Job title

PhD Position in Physical Oceanography – Focus on Polar Regions. 

Company

Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg.

Description of the job

The Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Gothenburg is recruiting a Doctoral Student in Physical Oceanography. The position is part of SEAL – the National Research School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Research Training, funded by the Swedish Research Council and jointly run by five leading Swedish universities: the University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and Mid Sweden University.

The Department of Marine Sciences combines extensive scientific competence with unique infrastructure to provide the most complete environment for marine science and education in Sweden. Its activities are based in Gothenburg, at two research stations (Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, and Tjärnö Marine Laboratory), and on the research vessel Skagerak. The Department has an interdisciplinary scope that encompasses marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, preservation of marine cultural heritage, and oceanography.

This PhD project focuses on the physics of the ice–ocean boundary layer. The doctoral student will, together with supervisors and other researchers in the project IQ2300, investigate the physics of the boundary layer in detail, attempting to answer questions such as what controls the distinct patterns that have been discovered at the base of Antarctic ice shelves, and how these patterns affect the ocean currents beneath the ice. The available tools include experiments in an ice laboratory, visualization of ice cores, numerical models (Direct Numerical Simulations and Large-Eddy Simulations), as well as field data from underwater vehicles (both newly collected and existing data). The goal is to explain the physical processes operating in the boundary layer at a fundamental level.

Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study and lead to a doctoral degree. The education includes courses of at least 60 higher education credits. As part of the employment, the doctoral student may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20% of full-time employment, usually consisting of teaching. The field work can be long (two months) and be physically demanding. Type of employment is fixed term, 4 years, full-time.

Duties include:

• Work in ice laboratory.
• Computer simulations (Direct Numerical Simulations and Large-Eddy Simulations).
• Field work, which can be long (up to two months) and physically demanding.
• Departmental duties up to 20% of full-time employment (typically teaching at first- and second-cycle levels).

Requirements

Essential:

• Master's degree in a relevant subject area in the natural sciences (physical oceanography or physics).
• Completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at second-cycle level in relevant subject areas, or equivalent qualifications.
• Background in physical oceanography or equivalent.

Advantageous:

• Experience of oceanographic field work.
• Experience of numerical modelling.
• Experience of work with oceanographic data.
• Experience of working with ice in laboratory setting.

Location

Gothenburg, Sweden.

Salary

Not specified.

How to apply

Apply via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal at https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/job?site=7&lang=UK&validator=9b89bead79bb7258ad55c8d75228e5b7&job_id=39778.

Reference number: PAR 2026/182. For questions about the position, contact Anna Wåhlin at anna.wahlin@marine.gu.se.

Deadline

17/03/2026.

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