Doctoral student in Natural science, specializing in Environmental Science

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 Environmental Science/ecotoxicology

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, with experimental periods at Kristineberg marine research station.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages. 

https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true   

 

Project description 
This PhD position will be part of the EU project CONTRAST - Contaminants of emerging concern: An integrated approach for assessing impacts on the marine environment. The aim is to develop new biological effect markers to be used in national and international monitoring for the assessment of environmental health.

The experimental focus of the PhD project will be to develop and optimise new biological effect markers on individual and community levels with a focus on fish and invertebrates, including biodiversity of meiofauna, as well as to test these markers in laboratory exposure experiments and in the field.

 

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 for example molecular techniques, microscopy, image analysis and field sampling. The studies will be conducted as both laboratory experiments at Natrium in Gothenburg, and at Kristineberg which allows for larger system to be used. As we have national and international partners, the project can also include guest visits and studies abroad.

Furthermore, the work will include statistical analyses and compilation of results in scientific articles. You will also present results at conferences, seminars, and project meetings.

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.  

 

Assessment criteria   
The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the education at third-cycle level.   

We are looking for a motivated person, who can work in a team as well as independently, to conduct PhD studies in environmental sciences/ecotoxicology. It is required that you have excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English, as we work in an international environment.

It is a strong merit to have experience and knowledge in ecotoxicology and biodiversity, as well as in animal physiology with focus on marine aquatic organisms. We anticipate the applicant to have an interest in understanding and working towards developing new approaches, conduct field experiments and field studies, as well as to be able to combine analytical and practical skills, to plan and work towards concrete goals. Experience in biochemical and molecular work, as well as experiments with aquatic animals and laboratory work with emphasis on physiological and/or biodiversity is an advantage. It is also an advantage to have experience in statistical analysis and software such as R. Driving license is also meritorious.

We place great emphasis on the applicant’s appreciation of working in a group and seeking cooperation, as this is a project with several European partners. We also expect the applicant to have an interest in sustainability issues in line with the UN's global sustainability goals.

The candidate who, after an overall assessment of competence and personal qualities, shows the best potential to perform the intended tasks and collaborate with others, will be selected.

 

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: October 20, 2023

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.