PhD Student in Lichen Biology

The Department of Ecology, Environment and Botany (DEEP) conducts its research and education at the Arrhenius Laboratories, located on the Frescati university campus.

Research here is conducted across a wide range of biological fields, including ecology and evolution, marine biology, plant physiology, plant systematics, and environmental and climate sciences.

Currently, about 100 people, including 35 PhD students and 15 postdocs, work in 25 research groups at DEEP.

More information about us can be found at: https://www.su.se/enheter/institutionen-for-ekologi-miljo-och-botanik (https://www.su.se/enheter/institutionen-for-ekologi-miljo-och-botanik)

SciLifeLab is a national center for molecular biosciences focusing on research in health and environment. The center combines leading technical expertise with advanced knowledge in translational medicine and molecular biosciences. SciLifeLab is a national resource operated by Karolinska Institute, KTH, Stockholm University, and Uppsala University. In Stockholm, SciLifeLab Campus Solna serves as an additional joint campus for the Stockholm Trio (KI, KTH, SU).

More information can be found at: https://www.scilifelab.se/ (https://www.scilifelab.se/)

Project Description

Gulnara Tagirdzhanova's research group is seeking a PhD student for a research project in lichen biology. Lichens, the archetypal fungus-alga symbiosis, represent a significant exception to our understanding of individuality. Lichen bodies, although appearing as a single organism, are composed of multiple unrelated microorganisms: fungi, unicellular algae, and bacteria. Within a lichen, these microorganisms can coordinate their growth, leading to a stable body plan with multiple tissue types and preserved structures. The mechanisms behind these interactions remain largely unknown.

The goal of the project is to illuminate the interaction between the organisms that make up a lichen. The project will emphasize bioinformatics, microscopy, and molecular biology techniques. The project will be conducted at SciLifeLab Campus Solna and DEEP.

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have both general and specific eligibility. Eligibility must be fulfilled by the application deadline.

General eligibility is met if you have obtained a degree at the advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

For specific eligibility to be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have passed courses at the advanced level totaling at least 60 hp, of which 15 hp must be in one of the areas of ecology, evolution, or plant physiology, and 30 hp must be independent work within one of these areas. Specific eligibility is also granted to those who have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in another way within or outside the country.

Selection

Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to benefit from doctoral education. Criteria used to assess this ability include:

• documented subject knowledge and skills relevant to the research area, such as lichen biology, fungal biology, algal biology, symbiotic biology, molecular ecology, and related fields
• documented experience with one or more of the following methods: bioinformatics, microscopy, handling of fungal/algal/bacterial cultures, molecular biological laboratory work
• analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• collaboration skills
• ability to express oneself in spoken and written English.

https://medarbetare.su.se/vart-su/styrning/regelboken/utbildning/antagningsordning-for-utbildning-pa-forskarniva (https://medarbetare.su.se/vart-su/styrning/regelboken/utbildning/antagningsordning-for-utbildning-pa-forskarniva)

About the Position

We offer a fixed-term position as a PhD student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a PhD student, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education, but the position may include limited work in education, research, and administration (maximum 20%).

A new PhD position is valid for a maximum of one year, and the position is renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University is committed to being a workplace free from discrimination and providing equal rights and opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information is provided by project leader Gulnara Tagirdzhanova, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Application

You apply for the PhD position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the documents requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted to the university by the application deadline.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-på-su/att-söka-en-anställning (https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-p%C3%A5-su/att-s%C3%B6ka-en-anst%C3%A4llning).

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