PhD Candidate in Vertebrate Paleontology

Do you want to work in vertebrate paleontology, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee development 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 with the goal of understanding how the fundamental body plan of vertebrates was created by evolution and developed over time. We focus particularly on the deepest part of the vertebrate evolutionary tree, from the origin 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 periods. Special focus will be on the Chinle and Dockum formations from the USA. The material will mainly be studied using synchrotron microtomography, a type of high-resolution X-ray imaging. The PhD candidate will generate and analyze these data to investigate dietary adaptations in early dinosaurs and contemporary animals, in order to reconstruct food webs in Triassic ecosystems. The candidate is expected to collaborate with specialists to develop and/or adapt AI protocols for efficient management of large amounts of CT data. The results will be presented in scientific journals and at international scientific conferences.

In addition to research, the PhD 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 several months in the USA to study museum collections, participate in fieldwork, and work with American collaborators. Opportunities for fieldwork will also be available in Sweden.

Project Description

The first 30 million years of dinosaur evolution – from their origin to the dominance of terrestrial ecosystems – is still a period about which researchers know very little. Previous research has mainly focused on analyzing the relationships of dinosaurs (phylogeny), while the ecological dynamics that drove their success are practically unknown. This project aims to fill this gap by analyzing a very important series of terrestrial ecosystems throughout the Triassic in the southwestern USA (Chinle formation and Dockum group).

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 methods, such as morphometry, SEM/EDS, ToF-SIMS, photogrammetry; 4) Interpreting the results based on evolutionary questions; and 5) Writing and publishing scientific articles. Some excavation work in the field will be performed to collect new data. Reconnaissance work in the field will be conducted by supervisors and the PhD candidate in search of new important sites.

Qualifications

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

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 working with tomographic data, segmentation software VG, paleoecology, and/or early dinosaurs is meritorious.

Regulations for PhD Candidates

Regulations for PhD candidates can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 and 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 2026-04-13 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 2026/343.

”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: job openings UU”

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. 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 country's most exciting workplaces.

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. A prerequisite for employment in the case of security clearance is that the applicant is approved.

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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])