PhD student in Aquatic ecology

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
The Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment (www.slu.se/aquatic-sciences) is working with applied environmental science, with a national responsibility for assessing the condition of Swedish surface waters with respect to water chemistry, pollution and aquatic biota. The department has about 140 employees. The research focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, as well as on aquatic ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry. The department is part of a Soil-Water-Environment cluster, a recently established competence centre for landscape-level processes that also includes the Departments of ‘Soil and Environment’ and ‘Energy and Technology’. The breadth of expertise among the 300 members in combination with a well-equipped infrastructure creates a unique platform for high quality research as well as environmental monitoring and assessment.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Large-scale mapping of algal toxins in the Baltic Sea for climate adaptation of aquaculture
Research subject: Biology
Description:
A position as a PhD student in biology is now vacant at the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The doctoral project will be part of a larger research initiative on mapping of algal toxins in the Baltic Sea for climate adaptation of aquaculture. The PhD candidate will here focus on cyanobacteria-produced toxins in aquatic ecosystems. The project includes field studies as well as controlled experiments where we will investigate in-detail when and where toxins are produced, as well as uptake and seasonal variation of toxins in blue mussels that are grown in aquaculture. We will use molecular biological and chemical methods to study the production and occurrence of algal toxins as well as their natural variation. 

If interested, the research can also include more applied aspects such as development of toxin purification for mussel farms, modeling, or satellite monitoring of cyanobacterial blooms. As a doctoral student, you will be part of a newly started interdisciplinary research group in aquatic ecology and collaborate with another doctoral project that starts up in parallel at the Department of Aquatic Resources (link to the add).

Qualifications:
Applicants must have a master's degree (or equivalent) in biology, environmental science or a related field. Relevant experience and competence in aquatic ecology, microbiology, and analytical chemistry will be considered as merits. Documented ability to communicate in writing and orally in English is a requirement. Other qualifications that will be considered are experience in laboratory work, field work, data management and analysis (e.g. statistics, bioinformatics and modelling) and communication skills. You must be able to collaborate easily but at the same time be able to work independently when necessary.

Place of work:      
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years)

Starting date:
As soon as possible during autumn 2023.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-09-15.

The following should be attached to the application (preferably as a combined pdf):


• Personal letter clarifying interest and suitability for the doctoral project
• A brief CV (max. 2 pages)
• A list of any publications (articles, thesis, reports)
• Two personal references
• Degree certificates

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.