Doctoral student in Biology with a specialisation in Evolutionary Ecology

Subject description

Biology is the broad subject of all living things. It encompasses everything from processes at the molecular and cellular levels to global processes at the ecosystem level. The subject is divided into a range of sub-disciplines and specializations. The PhD program at the Department of Biology includes many of these specializations, 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.

Symbioses and the evolutionary transition to multicellularity

A fully funded PhD position is available to work on the evolution of symbioses and transitions to multicellular life. 

Across the tree of life, multicellularity has repeatedly evolved, but how and why has this happened? Many multicellular organisms rely on symbioses to survive and reproduce. For example, species as diverse as land plants, insects and corals have critical partnerships with microbes to acquire essential resources. However, whether such partnerships were important during the initial evolution of multicellularity remains unclear. 

This PhD position will help address this gap by studying symbioses between bacteria and green algae and how this influences the evolution of multicellularity. Across the green algae radiation there are unicellular and multicellular species that represent multiple gains and losses of multicellularity. We have a wide range of unicellular and multicellular algae in the lab, such as Chlamydomonas and Volvox species, that have different bacterial communities. In addition, we have access to long-term monitoring data of lakes across Sweden documenting when and where different algal species occur. Together, this enables experimental investigations into the initial evolution of multicellularity and studies on the ecology of unicellular and multicellular species in nature.

It is envisaged that the project will use a combination of experimental evolution, comparative genomics and sampling of natural systems. For more details see papers here: https://charliecornwallis.github.io/Group/

Work duties

The position provides opportunities to generate independent ideas, gain a broader understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes and develop technical skills. The work will involve fieldwork, statistical modelling, bioinformatics and cell biology, including culturing and microscopy.

The PhD candidate will be part of the research group led by Charlie Cornwallis at Lund, but also integrated into the groups of Courtney Stairs (Uppsala) and Klas Flärdh (Lund). The Department of Biology has a number of different research units including functional ecology, biodiversity and evolution, and molecular biosciences, and as such the PhD student will be part of a lively, stimulating and diverse intellectual environment.

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 (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• 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:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• A MSc in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or an adjacent field.

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 cycles. 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.

Other assessment criteria

The successful candidate will have strong interests in evolution, ecology and microbes. It is also an advantage to have practical experience of any of the following: 

• working with microbes
• microscopy
• molecular genetics
• bioinformatics
• statistical analyses (particularly mixed modelling)
• handling large datasets.

Consideration will also be given to good 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 shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position 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).