Uppsala University hereby declares the following positions to be open for application:

PhD student position Limnology, studying coevolution between a host and its gut microflora

at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre

One PhD student position in limnology is available at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, starting spring 2012. Reference number UFV-PA 2012/212.

Project description: The student will work in a project studying coevolution and co-divergence between a host (Eurasian perch) and its gut bacteria. Individuals within a population frequently specialize on different diet items. In this project, the student will for example test the effect of diet and diet shifts on individual’s gut microbiota as well as the effect of the evolutionary divergence in populations on divergence in gut bacteria The successful candidate will settle the exact profile of her/his PhD project together with the supervisor Dr. Richard Svanbäck and the co-supervisors Dr. Eva Lindström and Prof. Peter Eklöv

Qualifications expected: The successful candidate should have a keen interest in population biology and evolutionary ecology. The position requires a MSc degree (or equivalent) in ecology or a related field, fluency in English, a driver’s license, and the ability to conduct independent field and lab work. Previous experience with microbial genetics and statistical skills are a plus.
The candidate will receive her/his postgraduate training within the postgraduate school at the Evolutionary Biology Centre (http://www.ebc.uu.se/?languageId=1). The postgraduate training comprises four years of full time studies. The successful candidate will receive a postgraduate fellowship the first year (15500 SEK/month) and a postgraduate position year 2-4 (22400-25100 SEK/month). The position can be combined with up to 20% of teaching assistantship, which will then prolong the position accordingly.

Application procedure: The application should include a letter of intent describing yourself, your undergraduate training, research interests and experience, and a motivation of why the position is of interest. It should further include Curriculum vitae, an authorized copy of the undergraduate degree, and the names and contact information (address, email address, and phone number) of two reference persons. Relevant publications (including BSc/MSc thesis) should be enclosed.
The rules governing this process can be found (in Swedish) in Högskoleförordningen 5 Chapter 1-7 §§ and in University rules http://regler.uu.se/. 

For more information please contact Dr. Richard Svanbäck (richard.svanback@ebc.uu.se, phone +46 18 471 2728). Trade union representatives are, Anders Grundström, Saco Council, phone +46 18 471 33 80, Carin Söderhäll, ST-ATF, phone +46 18 471 19 96 and Stefan Djurström, SEKO, phone +46 18 471 33 15.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than March 31, 2012, UFV-PA 2012/212. Use the link below to access the application form.

PhD student position Limnology, studying coevolution between a host and its gut microflora