Doctoral student in Ecology, with specialization in Aquatic Ecology

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you'll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that's needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That's what we've created – and you are invited.

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The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The research activities within this multidisciplinary department include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science, environmental engineering and disease ecology.

Field of subject for the appointment: Ecology, with specialization in aquatic ecology

Type and terms of employment: The employment as a doctoral student is limited according to chapter 5, section 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance. The total employment period may not be longer than the equivalent full-time postgraduate studies of four years. The Higher Education Ordinance states that those who are employed as PhD students must primarily engage in their own education. However, an employee may to limited extent work with education and administration. Such work may, before the doctoral degree has been completed, not cover more than 20% of full-time work.

Location until further notice: Kalmar, Sweden

Starting date: as soon as possible

Job description

A warmer climate and increased frequency of droughts challenge agriculture productivity. To compensate, more and more man-made irrigation ponds are constructed, to the extent that they are now often the dominant aquatic habitat in agricultural areas. Natural ponds, that are biodiversity hotspots, are simultaneously becoming scarcer due to a combination of drainage programs, water extraction and drought. This threatens (semi)aquatic biodiversity that may ultimately degrade the function and services of ecosystems, yet the potential of irrigation ponds to act as refuge for (semi)aquatic organisms remains overlooked.

This project will investigate the biodiversity of irrigation ponds in relation to their natural counterparts using environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques, standardized surveys, and habitat enhancements. The project aims to evaluate what factors that impact irrigation pond biodiversity, clarify the extent to which irrigation ponds can mitigate the loss of natural ponds, and investigate how irrigation ponds can be designed to combine ecological and agricultural benefits.

We are looking for a skilled and motivated PhD student with a passion for aquatic ecology and conservation of aquatic biodiversity. The research will utilise a combination of eDNA and standardized surveys in Swedish and Canadian ponds. The candidate will independently coordinate and perform tasks both in the field and the laboratory.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote themselves to their 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 they:


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

Assessment grounds


• A high proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Documented experience of research within the fields of aquatic ecology, pond ecology and/or fish ecology.
• Experience of:

• Scientific writing
• Field sampling and experiments
• Surveying and identifying macrophyte, zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, and fish species
• Programming languages for statistical analysis and data handling
• Driving and working from boat


• Driver’s license (class B)
• Important personal qualities are to be good at problem-solving, a team-worker, independent, and structured.

 

Welcome with your application according to the instructions by no later than 21 April 2024.

For more information, please contact:

Associate Prof. Petter Tibblin (petter.tibblin@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446745

Head of Department Professor Jonas Waldenström (jonas.waldenstrom@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446195

Personnel Officer Marianne Palmér (marianne.palmer@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-447303

To apply

The application in English should contain a CV (with telephone, e-mail, and contact details of two reference persons), copy of passport, documentation of exams and grades, and a description of motivation and experience relevant to the position.