PhD student in Historical geology and Palaeontology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University is Sweden´s largest and most versatile department of its kind with approximately 250 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural science and technology with social science. We have research programs in air, water and landscape science (LUVAL); geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; (NRHU); petrology, mineralogy and tectonics (MPT); paleobiology, and wind energy. By investigating the history of Earth, we understand how our planet has developed over time and how sustainable development benefits from this knowledge. For more information: The Department of Earth Sciences.

A four-year PhD position in Historical geology and Palaeontology focusing on the dynamics of major evolutionary radiations and their analysis is available at the Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology Programme. Our research programme focuses on education and research across the interface between the Earth and Life Sciences, encompassing the time span from the origin of life to the significant climatic changes of recent millenia.

The project aims to understand better the mismatch between molecular clock and fossil-based estimates for the timing of the origins of clades, as part of a broader Swedish Research Council (VR) funded project in collaboration with Dr Richard Mann (University of Leeds).

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Duties
The PhD student will be expected to undertake a systematic survey of published molecular clock results to understand their dependencies, and to simulate trees and data for stress-testing available clock packages. In addition, the project will extract data from the fossil record to better understand the patterns of first appearances of various clades. The final part of the project involves investigation of various of types of rate heterogeneity in the evolutionary process and how this might affect clock and fossil clade origin estimates.

The holder of a PhD-student position shall primarily devote her/his time to own research studies. Other departmental work, such as educational or administrative duties can be part of the position (max 20%). The applicant must be eligible for PhD studies. Priority is given to those who are deemed to show the greatest aptitude for a successful completion of graduate studies.

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

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in (Palaeo)biology or another appropriate subject (e.g. mathematics), or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way,
• have good spoken and written English.

Additional qualifications
Evidence of good scientific writing skills is a merit, and the ranking of the candidates will also accord weight to evidence of analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. A mathematical background and the ability to work with R or equivalent would be advantageous. 

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Application
We prefer the application to be written in English and 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 (max 1 page), 
2) your CV, 
3) a short description of your education, 
4) your course grades and a copy of your master thesis and certificate if applicable, 
5) the names and contact information to at least two reference persons (e-mail address and phone no.).

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 September 2023, or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Graham Budd, graham.budd@pal.uu.se

Please submit your application by 8 May 2023, UFV-PA 2023/1488.

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