Doctoral student in Ecology, with specialization in Marine Microbial Ecology

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you’ll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that’s needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That’s what we’ve created – and you are invited.

Change starts here!

The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The research activities within this multidisciplinary department include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science and environmental engineering as well as disease ecology.

Field of subject for the appointment: Ecology, with specialisation in marine microbial ecology

Starting date: Starting date as agreed upon.

Term and hours: The doctoral studentship is limited in time in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 5, Section 7). The studentship is full-time.

Placement city: Kalmar, Sweden. Since Linnaeus University is located in both Växjö and Kalmar, travel between the two may be required.

Job description

Bacteria are major drivers of biogeochemical cycles in the sea, but molecular detail on how they impact on particular element cycles remains largely unknown. The Ph.D. study will investigate the role of proteorhodopsin light harvesting of marine bacterioplankton in carbon cycling. Focus will be on deciphering the genetic basis for utilization of monomers and polymers of important dissolved organic matter compound classes (e.g. carbohydrates and proteins) and how it is influenced by distinct light conditions. The research strategy includes field studies and enrichment experiments to examine photoheterotrophy-related process rates and genes that are differentially expressed in genome-sequenced marine model bacteria and natural marine bacterial assemblages. Analyses will involve state-of-the-art techniques in microbial ecology and molecular biology (e.g. gene and protein expression analyses by next-generation sequencing methodologies).

Locally, the project will be part of the Linnaeus University Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems (EEMiS).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.

Requirements

A person fulfils the general entry requirements if they:

• have been awarded a degree on second-cycle level, completed the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which 60 credits on second-cycle level, or in another way, in Sweden or abroad, has acquired principally equivalent knowledge.

Specific entry requirements

• Have completed a minimum of 90 credits in biology, aquatic ecology, molecular biology, physiology, biotechnology, or other closely related fields, of which at least 30 credits are at the second-cycle level, or equivalent knowledge acquired in some other way in Sweden or abroad
• A high proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Documented experience with cultivation of bacteria, including experiments with mixed natural assemblages or isolated bacterial cultures.
• Experience with research in ecology or physiology, including familiarity with microbial ecology methods
• Experience in field study and experimental design
• Experience in assessing the microbial biodiversity in natural samples using next-generation sequencing methodologies
• A driver’s license is needed.

Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria concern the evaluation of the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral programme. In the assessment process, particular emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s motivation, potential to carry out doctoral studies, and the breadth and composition of the applicant’s degree. Important personal qualities are creativity, independence, resilience, and organizational skills.

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

Prof. Jarone Pinhassi (jarone.pinhassi@lnu.se), +46(0)70-2756318,

Deputy Head of Department Andreas Svensson (andreas.svensson@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-447319,

Personnel Officer Victoria Simonsson (victoria.simonsson@lnu.se), +46-(0)470-708081

Welcome with your application no later than April 22, 2025.

To apply:

The application should be in English and contain a CV (with the applicant’s phone number and e-mail, as well as contact details including phone number and e-mail of two reference persons), a cover letter, documentation of exams and grades, copy of passport as well as any other documentation that the applicant wishes to present. The cover letter (1-3 pages) should contain your expectations from, and intention with the Ph.D.-education. Please describe why you are interested in the specific scientific project that has been described above. You should provide details on how your background and experience is relevant for the scientific project described above.

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Questions regarding employment terms can be answered by HR partner Victoria Simonsson, victoria.simonsson@lnu.se.

Please apply by clicking on the Apply button at the bottom of the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 23.59 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.