PhD student in geophysics

Improved efficiency in exploration drilling through integrated analysis of bedrock and drilling data

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Do you want to work with sustainable and responsible exploration drilling for critical raw materials, supported by competent and pleasant colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee relations and offers secure, beneficial working conditions? Welcome to apply for a position as a PhD student at Uppsala University.

The Department of Geosciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education within geosciences. Our research and education cover a wide range of areas; rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind power and energy, environmental and water engineering, and sustainable development.

For more information see: www.uu.se/geovetenskaper

Geophysics is about "looking into" and understanding the Earth's structure, its history, and processes – based on measurements of the Earth's physical properties. Within geophysics, quantitative physical methods are used to investigate the Earth and its surroundings. The program drives several national and international projects and has access to a wide range of world-class research infrastructures. It also leads the Smart Exploration Research Center (SERC) (https://www.smartexploration.se), which is a collaboration between four Swedish universities and several technology and industry partners.

In this doctoral project, you will be enrolled as a PhD student at Uppsala University and primarily be based at Uppsala University, Uppsala. For shorter periods, you will also be based at Epiroc Rock Drills AB in Örebro and participate in fieldwork.

Access to certain technology or data linked to the project's industry partner may be subject to applicable export control legislation and will be handled in accordance with current regulations.

Tasks

The PhD student will conduct research within SERC, focusing on sustainable and responsible prospecting of critical raw materials. The overall goal of the doctoral project is to develop a framework for integrating bedrock and drilling data to improve efficiency in exploration drilling and thereby contribute to more sustainable and responsible exploration drilling.

The project combines geosciences and drilling technology, with a focus on diamond core drilling in crystalline rock. The PhD student will develop in-depth theoretical, technical, and practical competence regarding the technical and operational challenges of the drilling process, as well as geoscientific methods for bedrock characterization.

The work includes data collection in connection with exploration drilling, borehole logging, in-situ testing, drill core analysis, and laboratory testing. Separate and integrated analyses of these datasets will be used to investigate potential correlations between bedrock properties, drilling data, and efficiency in exploration drilling.

The PhD student will work in close collaboration with academic and industrial research groups and contribute to strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange between these environments. The PhD student is expected to combine theoretical and practical work, work both independently and in collaboration with others, spend parts of the project period with the industry partner, and participate in field and laboratory work.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for education at the doctoral level, you must have

• completed a degree at the advanced level in geophysics, geology, rock mechanics, drilling technology, physics, geosciences, or similar, or
• completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at the advanced level including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits, or
• otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in exploration drilling in crystalline rock and methods for bedrock characterization, both in situ and in a laboratory environment. The applicant must be able to speak and write in English at an advanced level.

Other desirable/meritorious qualifications

Experience with different types of data collection and analysis, such as measurement while drilling (MWD), logging while drilling (LWD), borehole logging, rock stress measurements, core mapping, and rock mechanical laboratory tests, is meritorious. Experience in integrating and analyzing different types of drilling data, bedrock data, or a combination of these is also meritorious. Experience of working both independently and in collaboration with others is meritorious. Knowledge of Swedish, both spoken and written, is meritorious as communication in Swedish may occur during fieldwork and in collaboration with industry partners. A driver's license is meritorious as it may be needed in connection with fieldwork.

Provisions for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen) Chapter 5, Sections 1-7, as well as in the university's rules and guidelines. A doctoral student employment is a full-time position for four years. Teaching or administrative duties at the department amounting to at most 20 percent may occur by agreement.

About the employment

The employment is time-limited, according to HF Chapter 5, Section 7. The scope is full-time. Commencement January 15, 2027, or by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

Information about the employment is provided by: Docent Maria Ask, tel: +46 18 471 3509, e-mail: maria.ask@geo.uu.se.

Welcome with your application no later than November 3, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/3081.

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The employment may be subject to security screening. In the case of security screening, approval of the applicant is a prerequisite for employment.

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