PhD student in evolutionary ecology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

A PhD student position in evolutionary ecology is available at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Programme of Plant Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University.

The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems. For more information, see www.ieg.uu.se.

The Evolutionary Biology Centre (http://www.ebc.uu.se/?languageId=1) is one of the world’s leading research institutions in evolutionary biology and offers an inspiring international atmosphere. There are ample opportunities for interaction with PhD-students, Postdocs and researchers working on related topics.

Project description: Mutualisms, interaction between two species that benefit both, are present nearly everywhere, and are essential for most ecosystems. Despite their importance we still have a rather poor understanding of how mutualisms persist. The PhD student will examine how mutualists interact with enemies external to the mutualism, and how this varies across closely related species. The model system is the mutualism between fig trees (Ficus) and their pollinating fig wasps; an attractive system because it allows experimental manipulations, fitness can be quantified in the field, and there are many species to use for comparative studies. The fig mutualism is also a keystone resource for tropical forests. The project will involve both fieldwork in natural populations and laboratory work, and will be based at the well-known Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama up to six months per year. The exact project will be developed together with the selected candidate. Supervisors are Assistant Professor Charlotte Jandér (PI) and Professor Jon Ågren. For more information about the group see (https://www.ieg.uu.se/plant/jander-group/).

Qualifications required: To be eligible for a PhD-student position the applicant must hold a MSc degree or equivalent in ecology, evolutionary biology, or a related field. We are looking for an excellent candidate with strong motivation and an ability to work independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate should have a keen interest in species interactions, and experience from previous work in evolutionary biology or ecology. Experience from fieldwork, microbiology, and molecular work is a merit. Candidates must be able to express themselves well in spoken as well as written English.

Position: The graduate program covers four years of full-time study. The position can be combined with teaching or other duties at the department (up to 20%), which prolongs the employment with the corresponding time. The salary will be set according to local agreements (current starting salary is 26 700 SEK per month), and the position comes with standard social benefits and retirement funds. Rules governing PhD candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/search/?hits=30&languageId=1&search-language_en=English. More information about postgraduate studies at Uppsala University is available at http://www.teknat.uu.se/education/postgraduate/.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
 
Starting date: 2019-11-01 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

Application: The application should include 1) a letter of intent describing yourself, your research interests and motivation of why you want to do a PhD, and why you are suitable for the position, 2) your CV, 3) a short description of your education, 4) a copy of your undergraduate and master degree, your course grades and a copy of your master thesis, 5) the names and contact information of at least two reference persons (e-mail address and phone number), and 6) publications produced. The application should be written in English.

Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.

For further information about the position please contact:
Assistant Professor Charlotte Jandér, charlotte.jander@ebc.uu.se.

Please submit your application before 2019-08-30, UFV-PA 2019/2223.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.