PhD Candidate in Vertebrate Paleontology

Do you want to work with vertebrate paleontology, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee relations and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a PhD position in vertebrate paleontology at the Department of Organism Biology, Uppsala University.

At the Department of Organism Biology, we conduct teaching and research on evolution, development, and function at the organism level. For more information, see www.iob.uu.se (http://www.iob.uu.se).

The program for evolution and developmental biology studies the evolution and developmental biology of vertebrates, both separately and as interdisciplinary research, aiming to understand how the fundamental body plan of vertebrates was created by evolution and developed over time. We particularly focus on the deepest part of the vertebrate evolutionary tree, from the emergence of vertebrates to the transition from water to land, as well as the development of land ecosystems during the Mesozoic – the geological era when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.

Job Responsibilities

The main work will consist of describing and interpreting fossil material, primarily coprolites (fossilized feces) but also other fossils from early dinosaurs and contemporary animals from the Triassic and Jurassic, particularly from sedimentary basins in northeastern Pangea (in present-day Poland, Sweden, and Greenland). The material will be studied using synchrotron microtomography, a type of high-resolution X-ray imaging that generates a stack of 2D images through a specimen. The PhD candidate will study and segment these data, reconstruct and interpret the ecology and dietary adaptations of dinosaurs. The candidate is expected to collaborate with specialists to develop and adapt geochemical protocols to study preserved biomolecules with the aim of opening up a completely new opportunity to identify dietary remains and the animals that once left the now-fossilized feces behind. The results will be presented in scientific journals and at international scientific conferences.

In addition to research, the candidate is expected to perform some teaching, primarily as a laboratory assistant, but teaching should not exceed 20%. The candidate will be offered the opportunity to spend time in the field – in Poland, Sweden, and possibly Greenland. Opportunities will be provided to travel to study museum collections and conduct analyses at scientific facilities for geochemistry and tomography.

Project Description

The first 30 million years of dinosaur evolution – from their emergence to the dominance of terrestrial ecosystems – is still a period that researchers know relatively little about. Previous research has mainly focused on analyzing the phylogeny of dinosaurs, while the ecological dynamics that drove their success are virtually unknown. This project aims to fill this gap by analyzing a very important series of terrestrial ecosystems spanning the Triassic and Jurassic periods in northern Europe. Coprolites are relatively common at these excavation sites and contain identifiable dietary remains, but have only now begun to be studied in detail.

Methodology

The PhD candidate will supervise or directly perform all primary objectives of the PhD project, including 1) studying collected fossil material and performing CT and synchrotron scanning of high-interest specimens; 2) segmenting synchrotron data and managing 3D models in VG Studio Max or similar software; 3) studying coprolites and other fossils using various geochemical methods, such as SEM/EDS, ToF-SIMS, Raman spectroscopy; 4) interpreting results based on evolutionary questions; and 5) writing and publishing scientific articles. Some excavation work in the field will be conducted to collect new data.

Qualifications

Eligible for doctoral education is someone who has obtained a master's degree in paleontology or equivalent, or has completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits at the master's level including an independent project of at least 15 credits, or has otherwise acquired largely equivalent knowledge.

Furthermore, the candidate must be fluent in spoken and written English, and have the ability to work independently on research tasks, as well as integrate socially into a cohesive research environment and contribute to the development of a large research project under the main supervisor's guidance.

Desirable/meritorious

Practical experience with geochemical data, synchrotron tomographic data, segmentation software VG, and work on early dinosaurs is considered meritorious.

Regulations for PhD Candidates

Regulations for PhD candidates can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 as well as in the university's rules and guidelines.

About the Position

The position is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date 2026-04-01 or by agreement. Place of employment: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Martin Qvarnström, email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

In this recruitment, we have replaced the personal letter with questions that you will answer in connection with your application. The answers will be used as part of the selection process.

Welcome with your application by February 27, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/344.

Please note that this is a shortened version of the advertisement. To see the full advertisement, please click on “Apply here” or visit Uppsala University's website: vacant positions UU (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/).

The position may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Seko - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), ST (OFR/S) - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])