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VACANCY
2009-02-25
Reference
Number
N 2009/119
Faculty of Science
Department of Ecology
H a n n a K va r n h o l t
Lund University announces the following vacancy:
PhD studentship in Ecology
within the discipline of Plant Ecology and Systematics
With placement at the Department of Ecology, Section
for Plant Ecology and Systematics, Faculty of Science,
Lund University.
Reference Number: N 2009/119
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Information: Prof. Honor C. Prentice +46 46 2228971 (+46
73 5968334) Honor_C.Prentice@ekol.lu.se
Prof. Anders Tunlid +46 46 2223757 (+46 70 3140067.
Anders.Tunlid@mbioekol.lu.se
Worker’s unions at Lund University: OFR, SACO och SEKO
Project title: Allelic variation and protein function in a plant
community context
Project description:
This interdisciplinary project represents a
collaboration between the Section of Plant Ecology and
Systematics, and the Section of Microbial Ecology
within the Department of Ecology, Lund University.
The project will focus on genomic ecology and community
genomics and will develop a novel system for the study
of gene variation and function in the context of
natural plant communities. Molecular differentiation
will be investigated at a pair of loci coding for a key
metabolic enzyme, phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), in
the wild plant Festuca ovina, and the distribution and
function of individual PGI alleles will be explored in
natural populations within grassland plant communities
on the Baltic island of Öland. The project will involve
characterization of sequence differentiation between
the multiple alleles at the two loci and the
development of allele-specific primers. Relationships
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between individual alleles and fine-scale nichevariation within natural grassland communities will be
investigated and the functional consequences of the
allelic variation will be inferred through analyses of
predicted protein structures.
The PhD project will be linked to the Research School
in Genomic Ecology within the Centre for Genomic
Ecology (CGE). Genomic ecology represents a new
interdisciplinary field on the interface between
ecology, evolutionary and molecular biology, and
genomics. The long-term goal of CGE is to achieve an
integrated understanding of the molecular, evolutionary
and ecological mechanisms and processes that are
involved in the generation of the immense diversity of
form and function that characterizes living organisms.
The Research School in Genomic Ecology will provide the
PhD student with access to advanced courses and
opportunities for placements in other laboratories as
well as a stimulating social network. Further
information about CGE and the research school can be
found at http://www.ekol.lu.se/research/genomicecology.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have a Master’s degree (or
equivalent) in biology, with specialization in botany,
plant ecology, plant genetics, molecular ecology,
molecular genetics, or a similar subject area.
Experience with molecular techniques is a central
requirement for the position. Competence with
univariate and multivariate statistics, bioinformatics
and plant cultivation is also a desirable merit. A very
good knowledge of written and spoken English is
required. A valid driving licence is also a desirable
merit.
Additional information:
A Swedish PhD represents four years of full-time study.
Of these four years, three years are devoted to
research activities and one year is devoted to advanced
course work, in which course points are obtained via
attendance at research-level courses given in Lund or
elsewhere in Europe.
Regulations concerning appointment as a full PhD
student can be found in HF 5 Chap 1-7§§ and SFS
1998:80. Also consult the admission regulations found
at:
http://www.science.lu.se/o.o.i.s/4964
An educational stipend is awarded for the first 18
months of full-time study, following which time the
student is appointed as a full doctoral student.
Regulations concerning educational stipends for
doctoral students can be found in SFS 1995:938 and
1998:81. Regulations concerning appointment as a full
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PhD student can be found in HF 5 Chap 1-7§§ and SFS
1998:80.
Those who hold an educational stipend or a doctoral
student appointment must first be accepted for
postgraduate study. To be accepted, a student must be
judged to have the competence necessary to complete a
course of postgraduate study.
In addition to pursuing postgraduate studies, the
doctoral student may also perform other duties including teaching and administration – according to
the specific regulations.
The university strives for a more even gender
representation within postgraduate education.
Applications are made on a specific application form
found on the web site:
http://www.science.lu.se/o.o.i.s/13456
The application must reach the Registrar, Kansli N,
Lund University, Box 118, SE–221 00 Lund, Sweden, not later
than Wednesday 8 April 2009. All submitted document must be
attested as to their authenticity.
On behalf of the department of Ecology
Hanna Kvarnholt