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Fully Funded PhD in Hydrology: Flow and Transport in Fractured Rocks at Uppsala University, Sweden

PhD position

8/29/2026

Field: Hydrology / Geosciences / Computational Modelling
Funding: Fully funded 4‑year PhD employment
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Start date: 1 February 2027 (or as agreed)
Deadline: 1 October 2026

Position overview

Uppsala University is recruiting a PhD student in Hydrology with a focus on flow and transport in fractured rocks. The project sits within the Air, Water and Landscape Sciences (LUVAL) research programme in the Department of Earth Sciences.

The PhD will focus on uncertainty quantification in modelling flow and solute transport in fractured rock systems, combining numerical modelling, statistical methods, and uncertainty analysis. A key application is the long‑term safety assessment of geological repositories for radioactive waste, using conditions representative of Swedish repository sites.

This is a full‑time, temporary PhD employment (100%) under the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, with a fixed salary and standard Swedish PhD benefits.

Research focus

The successful candidate will work on:

  • Numerical modelling of flow and solute transport in fractured rock.

  • Uncertainty analysis in model predictions and safety assessments.

  • Development of efficient methods to evaluate the implications of uncertainty for geological repository safety.

  • Demonstration of methods using site conditions representative of a Swedish geological repository.

The project is well suited to candidates with interests in subsurface flow and transport, fractured media, uncertainty quantification, and scientific computing, and offers scope to integrate statistical methods or machine learning as a merit.

Eligibility and profile

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:

  • Hold a Master’s (second‑cycle) degree in hydrogeology, hydrology, rock mechanics, geophysics, geotechnical engineering, water engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, or a closely related field.

  • Have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level, including an independent project of at least 15 credits, or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge another way.

In addition, you should have:

  • A solid foundation in mathematics and physics.

  • Experience in numerical modelling or scientific programming.

Knowledge of subsurface flow and transport, fractured media, uncertainty quantification, statistical methods, or machine learning is considered a merit.

Funding and conditions

  • Fully funded 4‑year PhD position as a salaried employee.

  • 100% full‑time appointment, based in Uppsala.

  • Fixed salary according to Swedish PhD employment terms.

  • Starting date: 1 February 2027 or as agreed with the department.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through Uppsala University’s job portal by 1 October 2026, referencing UFV‑PA 2026/2478.

Your application should include:

  • A CV.

  • Copies of relevant exams, degrees and grades.

  • Your MSc thesis and other relevant documents.

  • Contact details of two referees.

Official job page and application:
PhD student in Hydrology – Flow and Transport in Fractured Rocks (Uppsala University)

Why this position is interesting

This PhD offers a rare combination of:

  • Deeply applied geoscience with direct relevance to nuclear waste safety.

  • Advanced computational and statistical modelling in a well‑funded, internationally visible research environment.

  • A fully funded, salaried PhD in Sweden with strong supervision and access to high‑quality data and modelling frameworks.

If your background is in hydrology, geomechanics, applied mathematics, or computational earth sciences, and you are interested in modelling, uncertainty, and real‑world impact, this is an excellent opportunity.

How we can help

If you’d like to apply, we can help you:

  • Refine your CV and research statement to match the project’s focus on modelling and uncertainty.

  • Draft a targeted cover letter that highlights your numerical and programming skills.

  • Plan your application timeline ahead of the 1 October deadline.

For more personalized tips or templates contact our team.

www.applywithmentors.com