Doctoral student in ecology with focus on aquatic ecology

Welcome to Linnaeus University! A place for knowledge, ideas and development. For growth potential and a belief in the future. In Småland and in the world.

Linnaeus University is a modern, international university in southern Sweden. The university is situated in Kalmar and Växjö with 34,000 students and 2,000 employees. For more information see: Lnu.se and Lnu.se/en

The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The research activities within this multidisciplinary school include the areas of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Marine Ecology and Microbiology.

Field of subject for the appointment: Ecology with focus on aquatic ecology; Quantifying the transfer of thiamin (vitamin B1) from producers to top predators. 
Placement city: Kalmar

Job description
The dynamics of macronutrients (e.g. N, P) is relatively well described but there is a substantial lack of knowledge regarding micronutrients. One example is thiamin (vitamin B1) where deficiency of this vitamin has been demonstrated but we need research to understand the mechanisms regulating the transfer of this micronutrient in the ecosystem, from unicellular producers to consumers.

Salmon in the Baltic Sea are periodically thiamin deficient suffering from low reproductive output (called M74) and this project will use salmon and thiamin as a model system to understand micronutrient dynamics. This VR-funded PhD-project will entail quantification of thiamin status as well as gut microbiomes in different life stages of salmon. Samplings will be performed in marine and freshwater systems. The PhD-student will also, in collaboration with the other project participants, develop models to understand important mechanisms and bottlenecks involved in the transfer of thiamin in the food web.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.

Requirements
A person fulfils the general entry requirements if he/she


• has been awarded a degree on second-cycle level;
• completed the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which 60 credits on second-cycle level, or
• in other way, in Sweden or abroad, has acquired principally equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements to this position are:


• documented experience of working within the field of aquatic ecology;
• applicants should also have sufficient knowledge of the English language to be able to read and write scientific texts.

Assessment grounds
These qualifications are advantageous in the assessment for the position:


• a Master’s Degree or corresponding experience in aquatic ecology or other subject of relevance for the position;
• experience of scientific publishing;
• experience of measurements in HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography);
• experience of fish samplings and experiments;
• experience of working with salmon, sprat or herring;
• experience of DNA extraction and 16S studies;
• experience of gut microbiome studies;
• experience of mathematical modelling;
• experience of Matlab and/or R software;
• general field experience;
• driver’s license.

The work is performed in a research group why teamwork and flexibility is accorded great importance. In the overall assessment of skills we give particular importance to an assessment of the applicant's potential for a successful career as researcher.

Contacts:
Head of department: Per-Eric Betzholtz, per-eric.betzholtz@lnu.se, +46-(0)480-446238;
Research leader: Samuel Hylander, Samuel.hylander@lnu.se, +46-(0)480-447315;
Human Resources Consultant: Stiina Salmgren, stiina.salmgren@lnu.se, +46-(0)480-446406.

Union representatives can be reached through the university switchboard: +46772-28 80 00.

The last application day is 31 of March 2020.


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.