PhD student in Ecology

The vision of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is to understand, explain and improve the world and the society we live in from a health and life-science perspective. Work at the faculty is guided by Linnaeus University's four core values: innovation, curiosity, proximity and benefit.

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 and environmental engineering as well as zoonotic ecology.

Field of subject for the appointment

Readdressing Campylobacter jejuni epidemiology and evolution.

Job description

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common zoonotic infection in Europe. Despite a well described epidemiology and targeted interventions to reduce carriage in food animals (especially poultry), human campylobacteriosis remains high in Sweden and the EU. In this doctoral student project, we want to turn the question of campylobacteriosis around. Instead of asking how humans become infected, we will investigate what properties that make specific campylobacters so adapted to their food animal niche. Identifying the genes responsible to a ‘life on the farm’ will: (1) enable a more comprehensive understanding of C. jejuni evolution, (2) pinpoint which traits that underly emergence of new genotypes in food animals and human disease, and (3) provide new entry points for measures to reduce C. jejuni carriage in food animals.

A vital part in this line of research is to combine epidemiology with phylogenomics where genotypes and phenotypes of C. jejuni from food producing animals are contrasted with strains isolated from non-food animal sources. At our disposal, we have the largest collection in the world of C. jejuni strains from wild birds which, together with new strains, will form the basis for gene-by-gene comparisons with C. jejuni genomes from a reference strain repository. Based on the genetic studies the student will set up phenotypic assays, perform experimental binding studies, and carry out experimental infections in bird models to test the predictions arising from the genomic approach.The successful applicant will interact with other students and researchers within EEMiS, a multidisciplinary center of excellence within Linnaeus University that comprises expertise in ecology, evolution, and microbiology.

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.

Entry requirements

A person fulfils the general entry requirements if he/she
•has been awarded a degree on second-cycle level
•has 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.

The Higher Education Ordinance also states a transitional regulation for qualification for admission to third-cycle level, valid until 2015.

Requirements – Transitional regulation

A person who fulfils the conditions for general requirements (bachelor degree and 60 "old" credits in the subject) for admission to third-cycle education prior to July 1, 2007, should also henceforth be considered qualified for admission to education at third-cycle level. This should be the case until 2015.

Relative importance of assessment criteria
1.Experience of disease ecology, especially related to Campylobacter
2.Experience of molecular biology techniques
3.Overall suitability of the applicant to the research groups

Placement location

Kalmar

For more information, please contact

Professor Jonas Waldenström (jonas.waldenstrom@lnu.se) +46(0)-480-446195; Head of Department Per-Eric Betzholtz (per-eric.betzholtz@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446249; or Personnel Officer Ulrika Petersson (ulrika.petersson@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446996.

The application (in English) should contain a CV (with telephone and e-mail), documentation of exams and grades, a description of motivation and experiences relevant to the research project and any other documentation that the applicant would like to present. The candidate should also provide contact details (including telephone number and e-mail address) of two referees. Candidates with background in research in disease ecology, especially on Campylobacter, and experience of molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics, are encouraged to apply. English skills, both verbal and in writing, is required. Applications should arrive no later than July 31, 2015.


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 on the closing day.