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

Subject description

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%.

The goal of the PhD project is to investigate the olfactory sense of the Australian Bogong moth Agrotis infusa, a remarkable long-distance nocturnal migrant. In Spring, this moth uses stellar and magnetic cues as compasses to guide its long journey from its breeding grounds around southeast Australia towards cool alpine caves in the Australian Alps (where it spends 3-4 months in a dormant state). These cues are also used to guide the moth’s return journey back to the breeding grounds in Autumn. Preliminary data now suggest that Bogong moths sense a specific cave odour to pinpoint their destination caves during the final phase of their Spring journey, suggesting a highly multimodal navigational system.

The project will employ several state-of-the art methods to investigate the Bogong moth olfactory system and how cave odours and sex pheromones are perceived, including gas chromatography to characterise these odours, behavioural methods (two-choice Y-mazes, wind tunnels and fight arenas) to test the attractiveness of these odours to Bogong moths, neuroanatomical methods to map the olfactory sense in the antennae and the brain, electrophysiological methods (EAG, single sensillum recordings, Xenopus-oocyte assays and brain calcium imaging) to test the peripheral and central nervous responses to cave odours and sex pheromones, and genomic and transcriptomic methods to identify the underlying olfactory receptors responsible for odour detection.

The project will include collection and behavioural studies in the field in Australia (8-12 weeks per year) and is suitable for candidates with a background and an interest in neurobiology, sensory ecology, genomics and 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

• An MSc in sensory biology/neurobiology/molecular biology or a closely related area.
• Excellent demonstrated oral and written proficiency in English.
• Driver’s license.
• Demonstrated ability for creative, structured, proactive and independent work.
• Practical experience of behavioural work in the field.

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 Matlab
• Knowledge of the sensory systems of invertebrates and of insect behaviour
• Experience of working with insects in the field
• Experience with molecular methods (e.g. transcriptomics, bioinformatics)
• Experience with electrophysiological methods
• Experience in 3D-reconstruction in Amira (or similar)
• Experience of (or aptitude for) existing in wilderness areas for a number of days

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 programme.

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 must be written in English and include a personal 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 letter should also contain contact information for two persons that can provide references. The application must also contain a CV (including a list of relevant publications if applicable), degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered.