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 at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university’s doctoral student pages. https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true   

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 will assess the species diversity, systematics, taxonomy, and ecological traits of the truffle genus Hymenogaster with a focus on Swedish/Nordic species. The project aims will be reached through field work, microscopy, laboratory work and data analysis. The project will use ecological and morphological data as well as molecular methods. The main supervisor is Henrik Nilsson. Co-supervisors are Ellen Larsson and Mikael Jeppson. The Ph.D. student will have opportunities to collaborate with researchers at the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre GGBC. 

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 used within the project include field work in Sweden and selected countries in Europe, documentation of Hymenogaster specimens, microscopy for species identification, molecular laboratory work, and data analysis. Most of the work will be done in Göteborg, but select European herbaria will be visited for examination of types and other authentic collections. Specific fields of particular relevance to the project are basidiomycete mycology, molecular systematics, and taxonomy.

Education at third-cycle level 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. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.  

Eligibility   

Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
   2. 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 education at third-cycle level.   

It is a recruitment that the applicants have:

• An M.Sc. in biology, preferably systematic mycology
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• A documented experience of both independent and team work

Other desirable qualifications are:

• Documented, far-reaching species knowledge of basidiomycetes
• Experience of molecular work and DNA sequence analysis
• Experience of independent field work and species identification through microscopy
• Experience of digitalization and databasing of biological results and data

 

The application should preferably 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 for education at third-cycle level, 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 third-cycle level for four years.   

Placed at the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Extent: 100%. First day of employment is upon agreement.

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

 

Contact information 

For further information please contact:

Henrik Nilsson, senior lecturer
Email: Henrik.nilsson@bioenv.gu.se
Webpage: Henrik Nilsson | University of Gothenburg (gu.se)

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
tel. +46 31 786 26 25
Email: asa.arrhenius@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 for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.   

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

  

Applications must be received by:  March 12th 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.