Doctoral student in biology with focus on plant ecology

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.Doctoral position in biology with focus on plant ecology    

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals, and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics, and combinations of these fields to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current employment is based at Natrium in Gothenburg.



Project description
Climate warming is happening much faster in Arctic and alpine regions than the global average, yet we are only beginning to understand the consequences of this rapid change for tundra ecosystems. The overall aim of this PhD project is to understand how this rapid warming will impact tundra plant communities and the functioning of tundra ecosystems. This project will focus on two ecosystems processes: productivity and fire dynamics. The PhD student will use common garden experiments in the field and in environmental chambers to explore what environmental factors influence Arctic plant traits, especially phenology, and whether future warming might lead to an extended growing season and/or an increase in the productivity of Arctic vegetation. In addition, the student will explore how climate change could lead to altered fire dynamics through shifts in traits related to plant flammability. The student will work closely with another PhD student in the group to carry out this work.

The student will be hosted in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Anne Bjorkman. There will be ample opportunity for collaboration with other researchers in the Biological & Environmental Sciences and Earth Sciences departments at the University of Gothenburg, as well as at the University of British Columbia and University of Colorado. The project is linked to the strategic research area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate;), which also hosts a research school that will be open for the recruited PhD student: ClimBEco.



Duties   
The main task is to conduct the PhD thesis work under supervision, which includes development of the PhD student’s methodological experience, analytical skills, as well as theoretical depth and breadth. Techniques used within the project include common garden experiments, quantitative ecology (e.g., hierarchical modeling) and possibly molecular methods. The studies will be conducted both in the field and in environmental chambers at the home department. Shorter periods may also be spent as field work in northern Sweden, Greenland, Svalbard, Canada or another Arctic location. Specific research topics associated with the research project include evolutionary ecology, Arctic ecology, global change ecology, plant phenology, functional ecology, and ecophysiology.

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree. As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.  



Eligibility   
Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:    


• having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
• the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.   

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must:


• have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or
• have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or
• have completed a corresponding programme of relevance to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant subject for the planned third-cycle education is environmental science or biology.



For more information and application   
You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.   

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

  

Applications must be received by: 19th of january 2024

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.