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

Description of the workplace

The doctoral student will be based at the Division of Sensory Biology and will be part of a research laboratory that primarily focuses on understanding the mechanistic effects of pesticides on insects, with the aim of improving the ability to predict broader impacts on insect communities and ecosystems. Within the group, we value collaboration, helpfulness, and openness in order to create a safe and creative environment. The doctoral project has a clear connection to interdisciplinary collaborations on pesticides, both within Lund University and internationally. The doctoral student will be given good opportunities for international mobility within the framework of the project.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at the Faculty of Science at naturvetenskap.se Doctoral studies | Faculty of Science

Subject and project description

• The doctoral student will follow the general study plan for doctoral studies in biology at Lund University.
• The current doctoral project will focus on how butterflies orient themselves using their biological compass and how this is affected by exposure to pesticides.
• The doctoral project is an independent project but will be integrated into the interdisciplinary iENT project, which aims to develop new methods to improve environmental risk assessments.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral education, which mainly consists of writing a doctoral thesis. You are expected to take significant responsibility for conducting the research independently, while of course receiving support from supervisors and other colleagues. In a similar way, you are expected to support colleagues when they need assistance. Data will be collected during specific periods of the year and partly in other countries, which requires a certain degree of flexibility as well as strong planning and organisational skills. In addition to research and thesis work, you are expected to participate in doctoral courses, group meetings, seminars, and conferences. In addition to studies, a maximum of 20% of working time may be spent on teaching and other departmental work. You are expected, among other things, to teach at courses relevant for the research topic, such as neurobiology.

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

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 the applicant has:

• completed an independent work (e.g. a degree project) in a relevant subject comprising at least 30 higher education credits.
• good oral and written proficiency in English

The special qualification may also have been obtained through other equivalent education, which is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In order to enable interdisciplinary initiatives and significant in-depth studies in certain areas, qualifications other than the applicant's subject-specific competence in Biology may be taken into account.

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required:

• Good ability to work independently
• Good ability to formulate and tackle research problems
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good ability to cooperate
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written
• Strong initiative, organisational skills, and ability to work in a structured manner
• Good ability to independently solve problems, including taking on new tasks
• Good numerical and logical skills, as well as ability to generate and understand code in programs such as MATLAB, R, or Python
• Good laboratory experience
• Flexibility
• Valid Category B driving licence

Additional merits

• Knowledge of sensory biology, neurobiology, migration ecology, and/or ecotoxicology
• Practical research experience with relevance for the project, such as behavioural studies with insects, controlled pesticide exposure of insects, field studies, ecotoxicological sampling and experience of laboratory work requiring high precision and fine motor skills
• Teaching experience

Selection criteria

The selection of eligible applicants will be made taking into account the ability to benefit from the training based on the following criteria:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the dissertation work and the educational subject
2. Ability to work independently and tackle research problems
3. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
4. Other experiences relevant to the doctoral education, e.g. professional experience and relevant field work
5. Consideration will also be given to good cooperation skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral education.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university

About the employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting 1 September 2026, or as agreed. Third cycle studies at Faculty of Science consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages. https://www.staff.lu.se/research-and-education/research-support/doctoral-education/terms-employment-doctoral-students

How to apply

The application should be written in English and you must attach to your application:

• CV and personal letter with a justification of why you are interested in the training place/employment and in what way the research project matches your interests and your educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or diplomas. These should prove your basic and special eligibility for the doctoral education subject and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral education project.
• Other information that you wish to refer to (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We welcome your application!