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%.

Pesticides used to control pests and benefit agricultural production can adversely affect pollinating insects and their pollination services. To manage pollinator pesticide-related risk while maintain food production, a good understanding of the contexts (landscape and pollinator types) in which there may be an unacceptable negative impact, well-balanced measures to reduce the risks and indicators that simplify the tracking of measure effectiveness and risk reduction are needed. Concequently, this project aims to explore links between pesticide risk and pollinator communities in agricultural landscapes, empirically test if flower plantings can reduce pesticide impacts on bees and develop biologically meaningful pesticide risk indicators for pollinators. 

The project is founded in landscape ecotoxicology and pollinator conservation. It involves field work surveying pollinators and plants, collecting environmental samples and working with sentinel bumble bee colonies in agricultrual landscape as well as analysing the collected data statistically and developing pesticide risk indicators. The project also involves contact and communication with a range of stakeholders, including farmers to work on their land, advisors and national and European authorities to support the risk assessment of pesticides and the conservation of pollinators and a network of academics from different diciplines involved in the PollinERA project. 

Overall, this is a project well suited for students with a background and interest in landscape ecology, pollinator conservation and pesticide environmental risk assessment. 

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 conservation biology, agroecology, ecology, environmental science, or a closely related area.
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English.
• Driver’s license.
• Demonstrated ability for proactive and independent work.

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

• Good knowledge and experience in data processing and statistical analyses.
• Practical experience in field work focused on insects, particularly those that are weather sensitive and working with bumble bee colonies.
• Experience in spatial analysis and GIS.
• Experience of communication with stakeholders such as farmers, farmer advisors and national or European authorities.
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in Swedish.

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 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).