Ph.D position in Ecology and Evolution

The Department of Ecology, Environment and Botany (DEEP)is located at the Arrhenius Laboratories on the Frescati campus. Research here is conducted in a broad spectrum of biological disciplines, including ecology and evolution, marine biology, plant physiology, plant systematics, and environmental and climate science.

Currently, approximately 100 people, including 35 doctoral students and 15 postdoctoral fellows, work in 25 research groups at DEEP.

More information about us can be found at :Department of Ecology, Environment and Botany

Project description

This PhD project focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant diseases and the organisms that feed on them (so-called hyperparasites, i.e. parasites on parasites). The hyperparasites that the project will focus on are insects and fungi. The project is therefore suitable for people with a strong interest in plant pathogens, insects, food web ecology, species interactions and eco-evolutionary dynamics. We do not expect the applicant to have experience in all of these areas before starting the PhD studies, but a genuine interest and willingness to learn about all of them should be present.

The overall goal of the project is to answer fundamental questions about the organisms that interact with wild plant diseases, about top-down mechanisms that regulate disease levels, and the eco-evolutionary dynamics of plant diseases and their hyperparasites. Fieldwork will be conducted in montane rainforests and coffee plantations in southwestern Ethiopia, where Arabica coffee grows wild. We will focus on an important and species-rich order of plant pathogens – rust fungi – and on the diversity of fungi and insects that feed on them. We will (1) create interaction networks between plants, plant diseases, and hyperparasites and investigate which factors drive variation in the structure of the networks, (2) use cross-infection experiments to elucidate the role of hyperparasites (i.e. fungi and insects) in the regulation of wild plant diseases, and (3) conduct a reciprocal inoculation experiment to elucidate the eco-evolutionary dynamics between Arabica coffee, coffee leaf rust, and its hyperparasites.

For more information about Prof. Ayco Tack’s research group, seewww.su.se/profiles/atack and www.plantmicrobeinsect.com.

Eligibility requirements

To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must have basic and specific eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements must be met by the application deadline.

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 ecology and evolution, the applicant must have passed advanced level courses of at least 60 credits, of which 15 credits must be courses in one of the areas of ecology or evolution, and 30 credits must be independent work in one of the areas of ecology or evolution. Special eligibility also applies to those who have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in another order within or outside the country.

Selection

Selection of applicants is made based on their ability to benefit from postgraduate education. Criteria used to assess this ability are:

• documented subject knowledge in one or more of the relevant areas, such as plant pathology, species interactions, food web ecology, entomology and evolution
• analytical and creative thinking
• own initiative
• autonomy
• cooperation skills
• Excellent 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 can be provided by project manager Professor Ayco Tack, ayco.tack@su.se, or subject representative Professor Peter Hambäck, peter.hamback@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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