Doctoral student in biologi within the project Improve Aquatic Life

Reference number PAR 2024/1069

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Doctoral position in biology

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organization from genes, individuals, and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics, and combinations of these fields to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current employment is based at Natrium.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages

We offer

The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means special benefits, more holidays and a great pension. You can read more about our employment benefits here.

Project description

The project is part of a LIFE project; "Improve Aquatic Life" where over five hundred measures are to be taken throughout southern Sweden. The project attempts to restore connectivity in the waterways and into the marine environment with the aim of restoring habitats for fish and other aquatic animals. We are now looking for a motivated PhD student who wants to work within this network. The focus will be the sea trout and how different habitats and environments affect its life cycle. The project is relatively flexible but a substantial part will focus on how much juvenile trout different rivers can produce after a restoration and how important the eel grass is for the trout's survival and growth. It may also be relevant to work with other species such as sea lamprey, salmon, eel and freshwater pearl mussel. The doctoral student will work closely together with actors from the county administration, Sweden's sportfishing and angling association and the Universities of Lund and Karlstad.

Duties   

The main task is to conduct the PhD thesis work under supervision, which includes development of the PhD student’s methodological experience, analytical skills, as well as theoretical depth and breadth. Techniques that will be used within the project include electrofishing, telemetry (active and passive) and modelling. The studies will be conducted mostly as field studies. Shorter periods of time can be spent on fieldwork in other parts of the country or in another country. Specific subject areas of relevance to the project are behavioral ecology and migration biology.

For the doctoral student, there will be a large degree of freedom to more specifically frame their hypotheses within the project. Regardless, the doctoral student will be working in an international environment. The main supervisor will be Professor Johan Höjesjö from the department of Biology and Environmental Sciences and, assistant supervisor will be Prof. Per-Olav Moksnes from the Department of Marine Sciences.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.    

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.  

Eligibility   

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:    

  1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
    - the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
  2. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must:

  1. have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or
  2. have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or
  3. have completed a corresponding programme of relevance to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

    *Relevant subject for the planned third-cycle education is biology.

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.   

It is a requirement that the applicants have:

  • Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are necessary since we   work in an international environment.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a group
  • Driver's license

Other desirable qualifications are:

  • Special knowledge in techniques for tracking movement patterns in fish using passive transmitters and antenna systems (PIT tag) as well as active telemetry (radio and acoustic systems)
  • Used to driving a smaller boat and working with different fishing gear such as nets and small trawls.
  • Good knowledge of statistics
  • Previous merits of scientific publication

The application should be written in English and must include:

  • A short cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria
  • An attested list of qualifications (CV)
  • Examination certificates and a transcript of courses with grades
  • A copy of the Master thesis (or equivalent)
  • Employments certificates and other documents deemed important by the applicant

The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview, which might be held in English and could also be performed digitally.

Employment   

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.   

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.    

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.  

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.   

Placed at the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: 1 of March 2025 or upon agreement.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.   

Contact information 

For further information please contact:

Johan Höjesjö, professor department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, main supervisor
Tel. 031-786 3636
Email: johan.hojesjo@bioenv.gu.se

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
Tel. +46 31 786 26 25
Email: asa.arrhenius@bioenv.gu.se

If you have any questions about the employment process, please contact HR at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, hr@bioenv.gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

Application   

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.   

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

Applications must be received by: December 19th, 2024.

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.