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Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. It has around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We unite in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity.

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https://lu.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:879408/ (https://lu.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:879408/)

Symbioses and the Evolutionary Transition to Multicellularity

A fully funded PhD position is available to work on the evolution of symbioses and transitions to multicellular life.

Throughout the tree of life, multicellularity has evolved repeatedly, but how and why has this occurred? Many multicellular organisms rely on symbioses to survive and reproduce. For example, diverse species such as land plants, insects, and corals have crucial partnerships with microbes to uptake necessary resources. However, it remains unclear whether such partnerships were important during the initial development of multicellularity.

This PhD position will help fill this knowledge gap by studying symbioses between bacteria and green algae and how this affects the development of multicellularity. Within the radiation of green algae, there are unicellular and multicellular species that represent multiple independent origins and losses of multicellularity. We have a wide selection of unicellular and multicellular algae in the laboratory, such as Chlamydomonas and Volvox species, which have different bacterial communities. Additionally, we have access to long-term monitoring data from lakes across Sweden documenting when and where different algal species occur. Together, this enables experimental studies of the initial development of multicellularity and investigations of the ecology of unicellular and multicellular species in nature.

The project is expected to use a combination of experimental evolution, comparative genomics, and sampling of natural systems. For more information, see publications here: https://charliecornwallis.github.io/Group/ (https://charliecornwallis.github.io/Group/)

Responsibilities

The position offers opportunities to develop your own ideas, gain a broader understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes, and develop technical skills. The work will include fieldwork, statistical modeling, bioinformatics, and cell biology, including culturing and microscopy.

The PhD candidate will be part of the research group led by Charlie Cornwallis in Lund, but will also be integrated into the groups of Courtney Stairs (Uppsala) and Klas Flärdh (Lund). The Department of Biology has several different research units, including functional ecology, biodiversity and evolution, and molecular biosciences, and the PhD candidate will therefore be part of a vibrant, stimulating, and diverse intellectual environment.

The main task of a PhD candidate is to engage in their doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral education courses. The tasks may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, but no more than 20% of the working time.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who have:

• completed a master’s degree or
• fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, with content relevant to the doctoral education or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, within or outside the country.

The specific eligibility requirements for Biology are met by those who have:

• completed an independent project (e.g., thesis) in a relevant subject comprising at least 30 higher education credits, and have good knowledge of the English language, both written and spoken.

Other requirements

• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
• A master’s degree (MSc) in ecology, evolutionary biology, or a related field.

Assessment criteria

Selection for doctoral education is based on the assessed ability to benefit from the doctoral education. The assessment of ability is primarily based on study results at the undergraduate and advanced levels. The following will be considered:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the dissertation work and subject area.
• Assessed ability for independent work and ability to formulate and tackle scientific problems.
• Ability for written and oral communication.
• Other experiences relevant to doctoral education, such as work experience.

Other merits

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in evolution, ecology, and microbes. Practical experience in any of the following is also an advantage:

• working with microbes
• microscopy
• molecular genetics
• bioinformatics
• statistical analyses (especially mixed models)
• handling large datasets.

Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant is assessed to have the ability needed to succeed in doctoral education based on their experience and competence.

Conditions

Only those who are admitted to doctoral education may be employed as a PhD candidate. The doctoral education lasts four years for full-time studies. If teaching and other departmental work is included, the employment is extended accordingly, but for a maximum of 5 years (i.e., max 20%). Regulations regarding employment as a PhD candidate can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1–7.

Application instructions

The application must be written in English. The application should include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project matches your interests and educational background.

The application should also include a CV, degree certificates or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of transcripts, references, recommendation letters, etc.).

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in biology, astronomy, physics, geosciences, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science. The activities are conducted at eight departments located within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,500 students, 360 doctoral students, and 700 employees.

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