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

Biology is the broad subject about all living things. It encompasses everything from processes at the molecular and cellular level to global processes at ecosystem level. The subject is divided into a range of sub-disciplines and specialisations. The PhD programme at the Department of Biology includes many of these specialisations, from molecular biology to applied ecology, from viruses and individual cells to evolutionary biology and global biodiversity. Taking on research studies at the Department of Biology generally means focusing on a delimited part of the research area of biology and may include field studies, experiments, theoretical studies, or a combination of these.

Work duties
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, up to 20%.

Insects are important models within visual ecology for understanding how acquisition of sensory information from the environment is optimised for different tasks. The goal of this project is to understand the strategies used by insect eyes to sample the right information as appropriate for their specialised behaviour. By applying several novel techniques recently developed in our laboratory, the student will investigate how the eyes of different insect species work at both optical and physiological levels. In particular, the student will explore the precise match between (i) acquisition of visual images by the optics within the compound eyes, (ii) the physiological sampling of information by the photoreceptor cells behind the lenses, and (iii) the transfer of that information to higher order visual processing pathways. 

The project will apply start-of-the-art electrophysiological techniques (intracellular and multi-electrode extracellular recordings), fluorescent dye injections, optical and computational modelling, image analysis and confocal microscopy. The project will use a comparative approach, applying these techniques to species from 3 orders of flying insects: Hymenoptera, Odonata and Diptera. This will allow us to establish directly how visual performance scales with the size of the eye within diverse species as well as forming the foundation for bio-inspired modelling for translational applications. The project is suitable for candidates with a background and an interest in neurobiology, computational biology and animal behaviour. 

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 passed an independent project (for example a degree project) of at least 30 credits in a relevant subject and have good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional requirements
•   A MSC in a relevant topic, such as neurobiology, ecology, behavioural science, computer science, neuroscience, engineering

•   Very good oral and written proficiency in English

•   Practical experience in intracellular electrophysiological recordings from insects

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

•   Data processing, statistical computing, and scripting in Matlab or other programming languages

•   Insect neurobiology, e.g. brain dissections, brain imaging

•   Fluorescence and confocal microscopy 

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: 

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

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

•   Written and oral communication skills

•   Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, for example professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to strong 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 programe. 

Terms of employment
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 shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the postgraduate education programme 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, etcetera).