Doctoral student in biology

Om jobbet

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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 student 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 organisation from genes, individuals, and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics, and combinations of these fields to understand the functions and origins of organismal traits, and how they are impacted by 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, Fiskebäckskil. 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. https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

We offer

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

Project description

• The spectacular variation in form and function of animals on this planet results from natural and sexual selection. This PhD project explores the evolution of female ornamentation from a life-history perspective, including trade-off between survival and reproduction, by examining its costs and benefits at different life stages.
• The project will use mathematical modelling as well as experiments on a species of pipefish found on the Swedish coast with strikingly ornamented females, with the aim to provide novel insights into the roles of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of female ornamentation. The research will be carried out in collaboration with both local and international researchers.

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 modelling, designing, and carrying out behavioural experiments in aquarium settings, analysis of data and writing of scientific manuscripts. Electron and light microscopy will also be integrated into the project.
• The empirical studies will be conducted mostly at the Kristineberg Marine Research Station in Fiskebäckskil (approx. 100 km north of Gothenburg), which entails intense periods of field work, with 6-10 weeks/per year to be spent at this and/or other marine field stations.
• Specific research topics associated with the research project are evolutionary and behavioural ecology and requires a thorough understanding of natural and sexual selection in the context of reproduction.

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
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. 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 program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.
   
   Relevant subject for the planned third-cycle education is evolutionary and behavioural ecology.

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 requirementthat the applicants have:

A master's degree in biology, including advanced level courses in evolutionary ecology and/or behavioural ecology, and at least 15 ECTS in statistics. Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are necessary since we work in an international environment.

Other desirable qualifications are:

Experience of experimental design, field work, and behavioural studies of animals (in general) is desirable. An exam project (at Bachelor or Master) level that focuses on sexual selection is an important merit. Good cooperation skills are desirable.

Beneficial (but not crucial):

Experience of behavioural studies of fish (in particular), mathematical modelling, statistical analysis in R, microscopy (light and/or electron), and reflectance spectrophotometry, are advantageous. Basic knowledge of fish physiology is beneficial, as is education in laboratory animal science. Driving licence and earlier experience of driving a boat with an outboard engine are also beneficial.

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)
• Employment certificates and other documents deemed important by the applicant

The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview, which will be partly or exclusively held in English and may be performed digitally.

Admission and 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 April 2026, or by agreement. The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

Charlotta (Lotta) Kvarnemo, Professor
Phone: +46-76-618 2632 or +46-70-4863832
Email: lotta.kvarnemo@bioenv.gu.se
Webpage: https://sites.google.com/site/kvarnemolab/home
GU webpage: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/hitta-person/charlottakvarnemo

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

Union

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:27 January 2026.

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.