PhD Project in Ecology and Evolution of Plant Diseases

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 science.

Currently, about 100 people work here, including 35 PhD students and 15 postdocs, 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)

Project Description

This PhD project focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant diseases and the organisms that feed on them (so-called hyperparasites, meaning parasites of parasites). The hyperparasites that the project will focus on are insects and fungi. Therefore, the project is suitable for individuals with a strong interest in plant pathogens, insects, food web ecology, species interactions, and eco-evolutionary dynamics. We do not expect the applicant to have experience in all these areas before starting their PhD studies, but a genuine interest and willingness to learn about all of them should be present.

The overall goal of the project is to answer fundamental questions about the organisms interacting with wild plant diseases, about “top-down” mechanisms regulating disease levels, and the eco-evolutionary dynamics of plant diseases and their hyperparasites. Fieldwork will be conducted in montane rainforests and coffee plantations in southwestern Ethiopia, where Arabica coffee grows wild. We will focus on an important and species-rich order of plant pathogens – rust fungi – as well as the diversity of fungi and insects that feed on them. We will (1) create interaction networks between plants, plant diseases, and hyperparasites and investigate what factors drive variation in the structure of these networks, (2) use cross-infection experiments to clarify the role of hyperparasites (i.e., fungi and insects) in regulating wild plant diseases, and (3) conduct a reciprocal inoculation experiment to highlight the eco-evolutionary dynamics between Arabica coffee, coffee leaf rust, and its hyperparasites.

For more information about Prof. Ayco Tack's research group, see https://www.su.se/profiles/a/atack (https://www.su.se/profiles/a/atack) and https://www.plantmicrobeinsect.com (https://www.plantmicrobeinsect.com)

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have basic and specific eligibility. The eligibility must be fulfilled by the last application date.

You have basic eligibility if you have completed a degree at the advanced level, or have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.

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

Selection

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

• documented subject knowledge in one or more relevant areas such as plant pathology, species interactions, food web ecology, entomology, and evolution
• analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• collaboration skills
• excellent 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 also include limited work with teaching, research, and administration (maximum 20%).

A new PhD position is valid for a maximum of one year, and the position is renewed thereafter 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 the project leader Professor Ayco Tack, mailto:[email protected], or the subject representative Professor Peter Hambäck, 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 requested documents in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete according to the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the last application date.

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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