Stockholm University is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow in Ice Core Chemistry in the Department of Physical Geography. The project uses Greenland and Antarctic ice cores to study isotope geochemistry, ion chemistry, atmospheric chemistry and paleoclimate. The official application deadline is 7 October 2026.
Stockholm University Ice Core Chemistry Postdoc at a Glance
| Position | Postdoctoral Fellow in Ice Core Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Institution | Stockholm University |
| Department | Department of Physical Geography |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Employment | Temporary, full-time postdoctoral appointment |
| Positions | 1 |
| Duration | Minimum 2 years, maximum 3 years |
| Salary | Individual salary setting |
| Reference | SU FV-2937-26 |
| Published | 9 September 2026 |
| Deadline | 7 October 2026 |
Research Project: Ice Cores, Atmospheric Chemistry and Paleoclimate
Ice cores preserve long-term records of atmospheric and environmental conditions. Stockholm University’s project works with polar ice-core material from Greenland and Antarctica spanning the Holocene.
The postdoctoral fellow will generate and interpret records involving isotope geochemistry and ion chemistry. The project aims to improve ice-core-based proxies for atmospheric chemistry by combining geochemical measurements with climate reanalysis products.
The position contributes to a Swedish Research Council (VR)-funded project investigating past solar activity and its influence on atmospheric chemistry.
Main Research Responsibilities
The official vacancy identifies the following core activities:
- sampling and processing polar ice-core material;
- working in a freezer dedicated to ice-core storage;
- subsampling and processing ice-core sections;
- generating and analysing isotope-geochemistry and ion-chemistry datasets;
- contributing to the department’s analytical capabilities for ice-core chemistry;
- combining measured proxy records with climate reanalysis data; and
- testing and developing new proxy relationships for atmospheric chemistry.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the postdoctoral position, applicants must hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent relevant doctoral degree from another country.
The doctoral degree must be completed no later than the date on which Stockholm University makes the employment decision.
The university may take special circumstances into account when considering an older doctorate, including sick leave, parental leave, elected trade-union positions, total-defence service and comparable documented circumstances, as well as relevant clinical or subject-related service.
Research Experience That Strengthens an Application
Stockholm University states that particular attention will be given to research skills in:
- ice-core research;
- isotope geochemistry;
- paleoclimate; and
- scientific data analysis.
The following qualifications are specifically listed as meriting:
- experience with analytical instruments relevant to ice-core studies;
- experience working in a freezer or polar field environment;
- development of scripts for data processing;
- experience with continuous flow analysis (CFA); and
- a track record of relevant publications.
Employment Terms
| Contract | Temporary postdoctoral position |
|---|---|
| Workload | 100%, full-time |
| Duration | At least 2 years and at most 3 years |
| Possible extension | May be possible under special circumstances |
| Start date | By agreement |
| Salary | Individual salary setting; no fixed amount is published in the vacancy |
| Workplace | Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden |
Application Documents
The official recruitment notice instructs applicants to submit the application through Stockholm University’s recruitment system and attach:
- personal letter;
- CV; and
- any additional attachments requested in the online application form.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete and submitted before the deadline.
How to Apply
- Open the official Stockholm University vacancy.
- Review the qualification and assessment criteria against your doctoral background.
- Prepare the personal letter and CV, emphasizing directly relevant ice-core, isotope, paleoclimate, analytical or data-analysis experience.
- Complete all required fields in Stockholm University’s online recruitment system.
- Upload any additional attachments requested by the live application form.
- Review the full application and submit it no later than 7 October 2026.
Contact for Vacancy Questions
| Contact | Assistant Professor Florian Mekhaldi |
|---|---|
| florian.mekhaldi@natgeo.su.se | |
| Department | Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University |
CareerAidHub Application Guidance
The following guidance is intended to help applicants present the experience requested in the vacancy; it is not an additional Stockholm University selection criterion.
- Show direct evidence: describe the samples, analytical methods and research questions you worked with rather than listing techniques without context.
- Connect laboratory work with data interpretation: this position combines physical ice-core processing with quantitative analysis and climate reanalysis.
- Make scripting experience concrete: identify the type of data processed, language or workflow used and the scientific purpose.
- Highlight relevant publications selectively: prioritize outputs connected to isotope geochemistry, paleoclimate, atmospheric chemistry, glaciology or analytical environmental science.
- Do not overstate direct ice-core experience: closely related cryosphere, isotope, geochemistry or analytical work can be described accurately where relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stockholm University Ice Core Chemistry postdoc still open?
Yes. As verified on 4 October 2026, Stockholm University lists 7 October 2026 as the last application date.
How long is the postdoctoral appointment?
The position is full-time for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with possible extension under special circumstances.
What research does the project involve?
The project uses Greenland and Antarctic ice cores to study isotope geochemistry, ion chemistry, atmospheric chemistry and paleoclimate, including development of ice-core proxies using climate reanalysis data.
What doctoral degree is required?
Applicants need a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent relevant doctoral degree from another country. The degree must be completed by the employment decision.
Is polar field experience mandatory?
No. The vacancy lists freezer or polar-field experience as a meriting qualification, not as the core doctoral eligibility requirement.
What salary is offered?
The vacancy uses individual salary setting and does not publish one fixed salary amount.
What is the vacancy reference?
The official reference number is SU FV-2937-26.
Official Stockholm University Source
| Status | Open |
|---|---|
| Reference | SU FV-2937-26 |
| Published | 9 September 2026 |
| Deadline | 7 October 2026 |
| Duration | 2–3 years |
| Salary | Individual salary setting |
| Last verified | 4 October 2026 |
