Double PhD degree in Plant Evolutionary Ecology

We are hiring a PhD student in plant evolutionary ecology for a double degree between The Department of Ecology and Genetics (IEG), Uppsala University, and the Department of
Botany, Rhodes University under the supervision of Prof. Nina Sletvold and Dr Ethan
Newman. The Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University is an international
environment with staff and students from all over the world. We are part of the Evolutionary Biology Center (EBC) which is a prime environment for graduate students interested in addressing fundamental and applied biological questions through an evolutionary perspective. Learn more about our department here. The Botany Department, Rhodes University, is nestled in the heart of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The University is situated at the intersection of the exceptionally biodiverse fynbos and thicket biomes, and serves as an outdoor laboratory for studying plant speciation. Learn more about the department here and study systems here. Both departments strive to nurture a welcoming and friendly research environment, and value collaborations and interactions across various research programs, and across career stages.

Project title: Adaptive divergence and incipient speciation in Cape Gladiolus

A key research area in evolutionary biology is bridging the gap between microevolutionary
processes and the resulting macroevolutionary patterns. In this project, we use the Gladiolus carneus (Iridaceae) species complex to unravel the complexities behind ecological speciation of Cape Gladiolus. The G. carneus complex is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), one of the most species-rich floristic regions in the world, and includes multiple morphologically distinct varieties associated with variation in pollination and the abiotic environment. To disentangle various drivers of diversification, the project combines phylogenetic comparative methods, population genetics, and extensive field and common garden experiments. This project represents an ambitious and unprecedented evaluation of ecological speciation in the CFR, and the successful PhD candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of drivers of phenotypic and genomic divergence across different time scales.

Duties
The PhD student will be responsible for designing and maintaining various field and common garden experiments, including reciprocal translocations along elevational gradients and plant collections in the growth facilities. The PhD project will involve intense periods of field work, including driving and hiking in rough terrain and mountains. A component involving molecular lab work is also included. The PhD student is further expected to actively participate in the academic activities of our research group, develop analytical frameworks, prepare manuscripts for publication, and present their work at national and international meetings.

Qualifications required
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• Hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in biology, evolutionary biology, plant biology,
or equivalent
• 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 a drivers licence, and be willing to spend considerable time away from the lab,
doing field work

We attach great importance to personal qualities such as motivation, independence, and
problem-solving analytical skills. We value highly other personal qualities including
initiative, creativity, and the ability to collaborate with others. Candidates must be able to
express themselves fully in spoken as well as written English.

Qualifications desired
• Publication of at least one first author paper (may also be under review or in press)
• Experience presenting research at an international or local conference
• Experience with statistical analyses and associated software (e.g., R)
• Demonstrated capacity to design and troubleshoot experiments
• Previous experience with field and common garden work
• Previous experience with molecular lab work
• Capacity to work as part of a team
• Ability to drive a 4x4 vehicle for field work

About the combined employment and scholarship
The PhD candidate will obtain two degree certificates, one from each university, in which the prerequisites from each institution needs to be fulfilled. The research project will ensure satisfaction of the requirements for a PhD degree at both universities, individually. The PhD candidate will be funded by a combination of salary in Sweden and scholarships in South Africa.

Uppsala University: The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher
Education Ordinance chapter 5 §7 and in brief, involves the completion of coursework in
addition to a research project. Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Rhodes University: The PhD candidate is funded on scholarships, and no coursework is
required, only a research project in the form of a thesis. See Rhodes University’s rules and
guidelines. Funding will be provided to the candidate on a competitive basis in line with
internal and external scholarships (NRF Grant Linked Scholarships).

Scope of position: full-time. Starting date 2026-02-01 or as agreed.

For further information about the PhD opportunity, please contact
Professor, Nina Sletvold (Uppsala University): nina.sletvold@ebc.uu.se and Dr Ethan
Newman (Rhodes University): e.newman@ru.ac.za

Application instructions
The application should include 1) your research interests, and a motivation of why you want to pursue a PhD, your interest in this specific project, and your suitability for the position, 2) your CV including your education, research experience, and references to publications, 3) names and contact details of two referees (email address, institution, and phone number). The application should be written in English. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. Please send your application directly to botany@ru.ac.za, using the subject heading “Application double PhD degree”. You are welcome to submit your application no later than 15 January 2026.