PhD student in Zoological Systematics

The Swedish Museum of Natural History is one of the leading institutions of its kind in Europe. It combines a venerable tradition and unique collections with cutting-edge research in biology and geology.
The student will be admitted to the Zoological Systematics and Evolution PhD programme at Stockholm University.

WORK TASKS
Here we invite applications for a four-year PhD position based at the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm. The project is aimed at analysing species diversity within the marine meiofauna group Acoelomorpha, describe new species, reconstruct the phylogeny of select groups, and evaluate the utility of environmental DNA for estimating acoelomorph diversity. Fieldwork conducted at marine laboratories is an essential part of the project. Live specimens will be studied using interference contrast microscopy and then processed for sequencing, histology, and phylogenetic analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the applicants must have completed at least 120 higher education credits in biology, and at least 30 credits from a degree project within zoological systematics, evolutionary biology, marine science, bioinformatics or a similar subject. The qualification requirements must be met before the start of the employment.

Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a postgraduate education at a university may be employed as doctoral student.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the candidates documented knowledge in a relevant field of research, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidates written motivation for seeking the position. In addition, experience in:

study of soft-bodied meiofauna (microscopic animals)
marine biological fieldwork
microscopy
analysing DNA sequence data
generation and analysis of sequence data from challenging samples (environmental, and/or low-input)
a strong interest in biodiversity

are important qualifications.

OTHER
Please include the following documents:
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, relevant skills, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Degree projects/theses
• Contact details for two references.
The positions is for four years. A new position as a PhD student is first for one year and then normally renewed for up to two years at a time.

The Swedish Museum of Natural History strives for gender balance, and ethnic and cultural diversity among its staff.