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The Department of Zoology is one of the departments of the Faculty of Science and has approximately 80 employees, including researchers, doctoral students and administrative staff. Research and education at the department takes place in an international environment and focuses on animal biology. Outstanding and high-quality research is conducted in a range of different subjects, including evolutionary biology, molecular and population genetics, genomics, conservation biology and behavioral science.
More information about us can be found at: Department of Zoology.
Postgraduate subject
Our research focuses on the role of social learning in sexual selection and the speciation process. More specifically, we are interested in the complex song of the black-and-white flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). Central questions concern how and why songs vary between individuals, populations and species, and what consequences this variation has for mating, population differentiation and interactions between species. We combine acoustic analyses and “deep learning” with experiments in the field and in captivity, as well as neurogenomics. See https://wheatcroftlab.com/ for more information.
Possible research questions are:
- variation in song in individuals, populations and species, and how this variation is related to behavioral responses
- cultural evolution of song within and between populations
- consequences of cultural evolution for genetic differentiation between populations
- how experience and genetics drive variation in response to song.
Eligibility requirements
To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must have basic and specific qualifications. The qualifications must be met at the start of employment.
You have basic eligibility if you have completed a degree at advanced level, or have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (ECs), of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at advanced level, or have otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.
For special eligibility to be admitted to a doctoral program in zoology, the applicant must have passed courses worth at least 120 credits in biology, or equivalent, and have completed an independent project in biology, or equivalent, worth at least 30 credits, at advanced level, with passing results. Exceptions to special eligibility may be made.
Selection
Selection of applicants is made based on their ability to benefit from postgraduate education. Criteria used to assess this ability are:
- documented knowledge in animal behavior and evolutionary biology
- analytical and creative thinking
- own initiative
- autonomy
- cooperation skills
- ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in English.
Admission procedure for doctoral education at Stockholm University.
About the employment
We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not be longer than the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education. As a doctoral student, you will primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).
A new appointment as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year, and the appointment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace that is free from discrimination and provides equal rights and opportunities for everyone.
Contact
Further information is available from David Wheatcroft, david.wheatcroft@zoologi.su.se.
Application
You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University’s recruitment system. Attach a cover letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the application deadline.
Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: applying for a job.
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