PhD student position in turbulent ship wakes and their effects on the marine environment

We invite applicants to join our team of researchers within the area of maritime environmental science. We are looking for a PhD student to study turbulent ship wakes and their effects on the marine environment. This is an opportunity to combine field work and desktop analyses to advance the understanding of how shipping impacts the marine environment. The research will inform competent authorities on how to include shipping pressures and impacts in marine environmental management and spatial planning.

Research environment

Our research aims at supporting sustainable development of the maritime shipping sector. We seek to holistically address the multiple pressures that ships pose on the marine environment and bridge the gap towards environmental management and spatial planning. Read more here https://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/m2/research/transport-energy-and-environment/assessment-of-shipping-pressures-and-impacts-on-the-marine-environment/

The position is located at the Division of Transport Energy and Environment  at Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences  . You will be joining an interdisciplinary team with Ida-Maja Hassellöv and external collaborators Amanda Nylund and Lars Arneborg from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). We have a strong network with national and international organizations within academia, public authorities and industry.

About the research project

You will work in the project “Turbulent ship wakes and their effects on the marine environment”, which is a continuation of our pioneering work focused on this overlooked impact.  The turbulent wake governs spreading of pollutants from ships, influence the air-sea gas exchange, and may act as a barrier, affecting connectivity in the marine ecosystem. There is an increased global focus on understanding how shipping activities impact the ocean, and an urgent need to inform regulatory bodies about associated environmental risks.

Your profile

Required qualifications

• A Master’s degree (or a 4-year Bachelor's degree for international applicants) in marine science, environmental science, or a related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Meritorious qualifications

• Marine biogeochemical processes
• Hydrodynamic processes related to ships, turbulence, or mixing
• Oceanographic modelling
• Data analysis and programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or R)
• Interdisciplinary teamwork
• Maritime sector or marine management
• Fieldwork and sampling at sea
• Swedish language skills (spoken and written)

Your tasks

As a PhD student, your responsibilities will include:

• Planning and conducting research under the guidance of your supervisors
• Developing and applying assessment tools to study turbulent wake effects
• Participating in short research cruises (e.g., using acoustic instruments or conducting water sampling)
• Collecting and analysing empirical and monitoring data
• Writing scientific articles and other publications
• Presenting your work at conferences and to stakeholders
• Collaborating with researchers, industry professionals, and fellow PhD students
• Taking advanced courses within the Graduate School in Shipping and Marine Technology , with a specialization in Maritime Environmental Science
• Assisting in departmental teaching, including supervising Bachelor's and Master's theses

Contract terms

• Full-time, temporary position
• The position is limited to four years, with the possibility of 10-20% departmental duties (e.g., teaching), which can extend the position to a maximum of five years

Please note: Physical presence is required throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise, admission may be withdrawn.

What we offer: 

• The PhD positions are fully funded from start

• As a PhD student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees. 

• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg

• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025)

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence .
Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.  

Discover more
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here .  

Application procedure
The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files. 

CV 

Personal letter 

• A brief introduction about yourself

• A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position

Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts. 

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.  

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview. 

We welcome your application no later than   15th of August, 2025.

For questions, please contact:  

Professor Ida-Maja Hassellöv
ida-maja@chalmers.se , +46(0)31 772 3139

 *** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***  

 Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward. 

URL to this page
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=14099&rmlang=UK