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

Project description

Whole genomes are being sequenced at an increasing pace across the domains of life, including in
the mast species rich group of multicellular organisms: the insects. These genomic resources are
being harnessed for many purposes including estimating the phylogenetic relationships of taxa.
lncorporating genomic data inta taxonomic descriptions is still in its infancy, and how such informationcan be used in species delimitations and descriptions needs to be explored. This project will be pioneering the field of genomics in taxonomy, and will investigate how to integrate traditional
morphological data with genomic resources to revise and describe species in the genera Oomyzus
and Quadrastichus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Work duties

We here search for a PhD candidate that will be part of a project funded by ArtDatabanken. The main purpose of the PhD project will be to revise and describe species in the genera Oomyzus and
Quadrastichus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) using both traditional morphological methods and new
genomic methods. The project aims to pioneer a new integrative taxonomy where all possible
information is used to delimit new and old taxa. The primary supervisor will be Professor Niklas Wahlberg, with Dr Jadranka Rota, and Dr Christer Hansson as co-supervisors. 

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle 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 third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, 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.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Biology if he or she has:

• completed an independent research project (for example a degree project) on a relevant subject corresponding to at least 30 credits, and
• has good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional requirements

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

• An MSc with a focus on Evolutionary biology, Systematics, Genomics, or related area.
• 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.

Additional merits

• Practical experience with field work on insects.
• Practical experience with working on museum specimens.
• Knowledge of insect systematics and classification in general.
• Experience with database management systems.

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 the third cycle programme.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle 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 problems.

3. Written and oral communication skills

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

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§. Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies consist of full-time studies for 4 years. 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 should be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Cover letter (your background, why are you interested in the position, and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background, your goals, and start date)
• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications.
• A general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages).
• Contact information of at least two references.
• Copy of the Master's degree certificate or equivalent and grades for the MSc, and BA studies.