PhD student in Ecology, with specialization in Marine Microbial 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

The marine microbiology research group seeks a PhD student for studies of the photoheterotrophy of marine bacteria. 

Project title:

Molecular mechanisms for bacterial carbon cycling in the sea.

Job description

Bacteria are major drivers of biogeochemical cycles in the sea, but molecular detail on how they impact on particular element cycles remains largely unknown. The Ph.D. study will investigate the role of marine bacterioplankton in carbon cycling by deciphering the genetic basis for organic carbon utilization. The research strategy includes field studies, and enrichment experiments to examine which genes are differentially expressed in genome-sequenced marine model bacteria and natural marine bacterial assemblages exposed to ecologically relevant carbon compounds. Particular focus will be on utilization of dissolved organic carbon driven by light energy harvesting through the membrane protein proteorhodopsin. Analyses will involve state-of-the-art techniques in microbiology and molecular biology (e.g. gene expression analyses by next-generation sequencing methodologies). 

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.

Relative importance of assessment criteria


• Persons with experience in ecology or marine microbial ecology, molecular biology (preferably also experience with transcriptomics work), biochemistry and bioinformatics are encouraged to apply.

The Position

The position is located in Kalmar. The starting point for the PhD education is 1 Sept 2015, but may be negotiated.

For further information please contact Jarone Pinhassi, jarone.pinhassi@lnu.se, +46-(0)480-446212, or 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.

Union representatives may be contacted via the university switchboard at +46-772-288000.

Please apply through www.lnu.se and go to “jobs and vacancies”. The application should be registered no later than 31 July, 2015. Mark your application with reference number PA 2015/289-2.2.1. The application (in English) should contain a CV, documentations of exams and grades, a copy of an undergraduate thesis, the name of two references (with telephone number and e-mail), a letter with description of motivation and experience relevant to the research project and any other documentation that the applicant would like to present.


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.