Doctoral student in Biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Work duties

The entomological collections at the Biological Museum in Lund contain over 5 million specimens, collected over the past 300 years. With the advent of next generation sequencing technologies and non-destructive DNA extraction methods, these collections can now be leveraged for genome-scale evolutionary, phylogenetic, biogeographic, and population genomic studies. The possibility to analyze populations from a distant past will provide much needed context to present patterns of genetic variation, as well as opportunities to directly measure evolutionary processes.

We here search for a PhD candidate that will use this genetic treasure trove to decipher gene-environment interactions and intraspecies communication through whole genome sequencing of key taxa in Diptera and Lepidoptera. The proposed project is interdisciplinary, and will enable the prospective PhD candidate to acquire a wide range of skills in state-of-the-art molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, as well as experience with behavioral and physiological methodologies. The PhD candidate will accordingly be trained by supervisors with complementary skills and interests. Primary supervisor will be Dr Marcus Stensmyr, with Prof Christer Löfstedt, Dr Jadranka Rota, and Prof Niklas Wahlberg as co-supervisors. 

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for PhD-studies if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification (i.e. completion of master’s level studies), or

• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or

• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Additional requirements

In addition to the general mandatory requirements to be accepted for PhD education, the candidate should have:

• An MSc in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Evolutionary biology, or related area.

• Interest in entomology. 

• Very good ability for proactive and independent work.

• Practical experience in bioinformatics and analysis of genomic data.

• Excellent knowledge of English, both in reading comprehension and writing.

In addition to the mandatory requirements, documented experience in the following areas will be considered as strong merits:

• Experience in data processing, statistical computing, and scripting.

Assessment criteria

Selection for PhD-studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.

2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research

3. Written and oral communication skills.

4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing PhD-studies.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Terms of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).