PhD student in Biology, specialization in Ecology

Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua)
Do you want to work in an inspiring environment and contribute to the sustainable use of our seas, lakes and watercourses? We at the Department of Aquatic resources (SLU Aqua) are passionate about our vision of "strong fish stocks in healthy waters". Our research is growing, and we are looking for employees who want to develop and make a difference together with us.

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/

Climate Change and Bioaccumulation of Radionuclides in Aquatic Organisms
Description:
Nuclear power plant operations can produce energy with low CO2 emissions but they also emit radioactive substances (radionuclides) during regular operations, with risks for larger emissions during accidents. How much of this that is taken up by organisms, such as fish, vary with their diet. As the composition of aquatic food webs and feeding interactions are rapidly changing with global climate change, so may uptake of radionuclides. In the Baltic Sea, surface waters are warming and increased run off bring higher amounts of brown-coloured terrestrial carbon to coastal waters. How that combination of warmer and browner waters may affect concentrations and bioaccumulation of radionuclides in fish is, however, totally unknown.

To study this you will (1) collect fish and their prey around the Baltic Sea, analyse the food web structure and radionuclide concentrations in these samples, (2) collect organisms from different habitats varying in light availability and concentrations of organic carbon and study variation in bioaccumulation and biomagnificaton of radionuclides, and (3) use dynamic food web models to simulate bioaccumulation in fish and develop scenario analyses to study how accumulation of radionuclides (from regular and accidental discharges) in fish change with warming and increased discharge of organic carbon from land.

You will be part of our team working on dynamics of fish communities and aquatic food webs, and their responses to climate change, exploitation and other human pressures (www.slu.se/fishinfoodwebs). You will also pursue your research and education within our team’s international research network, with possibilities for research visits at other universities.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a curious and motivated person with an MSc degree in ecology, animal ecology, aquatic ecology, limnology, marine ecology, theoretical ecology, or related disciplines. You should have a genuine interest in research and scientific writing. Good knowledge in ecology and demonstrated experience in analyses of ecological communities is required. Skills in dynamic population or food web modelling are advantageous. Experience and skills in aquatic field work involving fish is meriting, as is experience of biological lab work of relevance for the position. Demonstrated independent scientific work, experience of working in scientific teams, and skills in mathematics, R- or Matlab-programming are considered merits. 

We place great emphasis on personal qualities such as curiosity, responsibility, and ability to work in a team as well as independently, and on personal suitability for the learning and research tasks. You are fluent in spoken and written English (required) and is a good communicator.

Place of work:      
Uppsala, Sweden

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment as PhD-student for 4 years.

Starting date:
November 1st 2024, or as agreed.

Application:
CWelcome to submit your application using the button below, at the latest September 24th, 2024.

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: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/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.