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%.

Project background: Understanding the neural basis of behavior and its evolution requires deep knowledge of the neural circuits that drive behavior across a range of animal species. Building on this premise we have started to obtain connectomics datasets of the insect brain decision making center (the central complex) from across the insect phylogeny, so far focusing on hymenopteran species. We have begun to compare these insects to more ancient hemimetabolous species, aiming at identifying conserved circuit elements and hotspots for evolutionary change. 

Aims: In this project, we will build on this approach to answer how essential decision making circuits can be adapted to match ecological needs, revealing which elements are evolvable and how phylogenetic constraints affect functional diversification and convergence in the insect central complex. The project will also aim at further optimizing data analysis and imaging methods, strengthening the comparative connectomics approach. Using our recent advances in data acquisition and analysis methods, we will generate connectomics datasets of the central complex of so far uncharted branches of the insect phylogeny, directly complementing our existing data.

Methods: We will use a multi-resolution approach to serial section block-face electron microcopy to obtain image stacks that cover the central complex. Autosegmentation and semi-automatic skeleton tracing scripts will be applied to obtain global projectomes and local connectomes from each sample. The project will then combine graph theory approaches to uncover the evolutionary trends and mechanisms underlying decision making circuits. In close collaboration with computational modelers in our team, we will also predict the functional relevance of identified circuit modifications.

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 substantial 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
•    Master’s degree in biology/neurobiology or substantial equivalent knowledge acquired in some other way.

•    Excellent oral and written proficiency in English.

•    Demonstrated ability for proactive and independent work.

•    Practical experience in EM-based connectomics work, including image annotation and analysis, using, ideally Flywire and CATMAID

•    Thorough understanding of the insect neural circuits.

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 in Python, Matlab and R, or equivalent.

•    Experience in analyzing very large, complex datasets, e.g. using graph theory/analysis

•    Experience in machine learning assisted microscopy image analysis/annotation

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 the 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.