Vacant job

Department of Water and Environment

The Department of Water and Environment is a competence center for applied environmental research with a national responsibility for monitoring the environmental status of Swedish lakes and watercourses regarding water chemistry, environmental pollution, and aquatic biota. The research at the department focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, microbial ecology, as well as environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology. The department has approximately 150 employees, half of whom are researchers/Ph.D. students and the other half are technical and administrative staff.

More information about the department: www.slu.se/vatten-miljo (www.slu.se/vatten-miljo)

Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/)

Enhanced Understanding of the Regulation of Aquatic Plankton Biodiversity

Ph.D. Subject: Biology with a focus on ecology

Content Description: You will participate in a research project that investigates the spread of plankton organisms in saline lakes, with a particular focus on soda lakes. The project involves a wide range of methods, including laboratory and field experiments, molecular techniques, bioinformatics, and population modeling.

The main goal is to improve our understanding of how planktonic microorganisms spread and to use this knowledge to develop models for population composition. The project includes extensive fieldwork and collection campaigns, combined with molecular laboratory analyses.

The planktonic biodiversity will be examined using both metabarcoding and metagenomic techniques, while community assembly will be evaluated using advanced statistical methods.

Qualifications: You must have a master's degree (or equivalent) in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field. Relevant experience in aquatic ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and statistics is considered advantageous.

Good written and oral skills in English are required. Additional merits include experience in fieldwork and molecular laboratory techniques, as well as holding a valid driver's license.

You should demonstrate critical and creative thinking, strong problem-solving skills, the ability to take initiative, and the ability to work both independently and in close collaboration with a team.

Location: Uppsala

Form of Employment: Ph.D. position (4 years of education)

Start Date: 2025-03-01 or by agreement.

Application

Welcome with your application via the application button no later than 2025-01-21.

To be eligible for doctoral education, a degree at an advanced level or at least four years of full-time studies, including at least one year at an advanced level, is required.

Selection among eligible applicants is based on: written application including CV; thesis, copies of degree certificates, and transcripts from previous studies at the undergraduate and advanced levels at a university or college, two personal references, English language skills. More information on English language requirements can be found at the following link: https://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/att-bli-doktorand/ (https://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/att-bli-doktorand/)

Please note that the applicant(s) who are called for an interview must submit certified copies of degree certificates, or equivalent, and transcripts from previous studies at the undergraduate and advanced levels at a university or college, and that applicants with foreign citizenship must also submit a certified copy of the page in the passport containing the photo and personal information.

Union Representatives: https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/ (https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) plays a key role in the development of sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interactions 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. The main locations are Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but activities are also carried out at research stations, experimental parks, and educational sites throughout the country.

SLU has over 3000 employees, 5000 students and doctoral students, and a turnover of over three billion SEK. The university invests in attractive environments on its campuses. We work for a gender-equal and inclusive work environment where open conversations between people with different experiences lay the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.