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

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%.

The thesis will investigate the evolution of dioecy via independent origins of genetic sex determination systems within the Hawaiian island radiation of flowering plants in the genus Wikstroemia (Thymelaeaceae). The specific aims include (i) generation of high-quality genome assemblies for 6 species representing each form of dioecy and hermaphrodites; (ii) use a combination of experimental greenhouse crosses as well as genomic and bioinformatic approaches to identify sex-linked sequences and candidate sex-determining genes associated with each; and (iii) depending on the interests of the student, investigate the mechanism and timing of recombination suppression, study more closely the functional genetics of sexual dimorphism, or investigate macroevolutionary patterns in sex-determination systems within the Hawaiian clade.

Supplement with further details about the research project and work duties.

The goal of this PhD project is to understand the genomic changes giving rise to at least two and possibly three parallel transitions from hermaphroditism to dioecy (separate sexes) via the evolution of new sex chromosomes within the endemic Hawaiian radiation of the flowering plant genus Wikstroemia (Thymelaeaceae; 12 spp.).

The project will involve a combination of genomics, bioinformatics, gene expression, and experimental greenhouse crossing experiments, with the major aim to (i) locate and fully characterize sex-linked regions of the genome associated with each form of dioecy, (ii) identify candidate sex-determining genes and the developmental pathways they influence, and (iii) begin characterizing the time-course of recombination suppression for each of these new sex chromosomes.

The outcome of this project will shed new light on the flexibility of flowering plant genomes to make the evolutionary transition to physically separate sexes, and give new insights into whether the same genes/developmental pathways are involved in sex-determination in these closely related lineages.

The project may include field work in Hawai’i and is suitable for candidates with a background and an interest in genomics, evolutionary biology of flowering plants, botany, computational biology, and possibly functional genetics.

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 B.Sc. and/or M.Sc. in genetics/genomics, molecular ecology, plant evolutionary biology, or a closely related area.

• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English.

• Demonstrated ability for proactive and independent work.

• Practical experience in management and analysis of WGS and/or gene expression data.

• Practical experience and/or interest in greenhouse work and experimental crossing in plants

• Experience in data processing, statistical computing, and scripting in R, Python, bash, or other relevant computer programming language.

• Drivers license.

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

• Practical experience in field biology/botany/ecology.

• Practical experience in DNA/RNA extraction.

• Practical experience in greenhouse experimental work.

• Background in floral evolutionary biology

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 should/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).