PhD student in evolutionary ecology
Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our mission is to pursue top-quality research and education and to interact constructively with society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has 44.000 students, 7.100 employees and a turnover of SEK 7 billion.
A PhD student position in evolutionary ecology is available at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Programme of Plant Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University.
The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems.
The Evolutionary Biology Centre is one of the world’s leading research institutions in evolutionary biology and offers an inspiring international atmosphere. There are ample opportunities for interaction with PhD-students, Postdocs and researchers working on related topics.
Project description: Mutualisms, interaction between two species that benefit both, are present nearly everywhere, and are essential for most ecosystems. Despite their importance we still have a rather poor understanding of how mutualisms persist. The PhD student will examine how mutualists interact with enemies external to the mutualism, and how this varies across closely related species. The model system is the mutualism between fig trees (Ficus) and their pollinating fig wasps; an attractive system because it allows experimental manipulations, fitness can be quantified in the field, and there are many species to use for comparative studies. The fig mutualism is also a keystone resource for tropical forests. The project will involve both fieldwork in natural populations and laboratory work, and will be based at the well-known Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama up to six months per year. The exact project will be developed together with the selected candidate. Supervisors are Assistant Professor Charlotte Jandér (PI) and Professor Jon Ågren.
Qualifications required: To be eligible for a PhD-student position the applicant must hold a MSc degree or equivalent in ecology, evolutionary biology, or a related field. We are looking for an excellent candidate with strong motivation and an ability to work independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate should have a keen interest in species interactions, and experience from previous work in evolutionary biology or ecology. Experience from fieldwork, microbiology, and molecular work is a merit. Candidates must be able to express themselves well in spoken as well as written English.
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