PHD POSITION - THE ECOLOGY OF EVOLUTION OF FLOWERING TIME, at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Sweden
Project description: The project will investigate how interactions with pollinators, seed predators and herbivores drive variation in phenotypic selection on timing of reproduction in perennial plants. An important part of the project is to identify and examine situations with opposed selection from different selective agents. Other important parts are to link among- population differences in selection from mutualists and antagonists to the environmental context, in terms of abiotic conditions or community composition, and to assess the effects of opposed selection on lifetime fitness using demographic information. The study systems will include several perennial plant species and their pollinators, herbivores and pre-dispersal seed predators. The studies will be carried out mostly in southern Sweden, but also studies over larger spatial scales might be included. The methods will include data collections from multiple populations to assess variation in strength of selection over environmental gradients, as well as field and common garden experiments to identify the causes of differences in selection. The analytical framework will mainly consist of phenotypic selection analyses, but will also include demographic analyses. The PhD position is available as a part of a Swedish Research Council (VR) grant. Qualifications: We seek a candidate with good knowledge of ecological and evolutionary theory, analytical capacity and good skills in English. Previous experience of field and or experimental work is desirable. To be accepted for the PhD program, the applicant must have a University degree in Biology at the advanced level (e.g. Masters) of at least 240 credits, including at least 60 credits at the advanced level, or equivalent knowledge. Previous degrees should also include a thesis of at least 30 credits at advanced level in a relevant subject. How to apply: The application should contain a letter of intent (one to two pages that explain why you are interested in working on this project, why you are interested in studying for a PhD, what you hope to accomplish during your PhD studies, and what skills you can bring to this project), CV, transcripts of all university courses with grades, a copy of your university degree, degree project thesis, name and contact information of two references, and any other documents you would like to include. Welcome with your application, marked with the reference number SU FV-2857-13 in the subject line of your e-mail. Applications must be sent no later than 20 November, 2013 by e-mail as one single pdf-file to: [email protected]. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be sent to Johan Ehrlén: [email protected]
