PhD student in Historical geology and Palaeontology

11 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Uppsala universitet

Department

Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences

Research Field

Biological sciences
Geosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

18 Mar 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

PhD student in Historical geology and Palaeontology - Comparative structure and evolution of the edcysozoan head
Are you interested in study the detailed cellular morphology of the anterior of the priapulid worm Priapulus caudatus, using electron microscopy, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD student position at Uppsala University.

The Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University is Sweden´s largest and most versatile department of its kind with approximately 280 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural science and technology with social science. We have research programs in air, water and landscape science; geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; petrology, mineralogy and tectonics; paleobiology, and wind energy. By investigating the history of Earth, we understand how our planet has developed over time and how sustainable development benefits from this knowledge. read more here: Department of Earth Sciences .

Project

This PhD position is embedded into the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) “ZooCELL”. The ZooCELL network brings together 7 beneficiaries and 7 associated partners, located in 6 different countries (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and UK) and one intergovernmental organisation (EMBL-ZooCELL coordinator). 12 Doctoral candidates will enjoy a multi-disciplinary and international environment with plenty of training opportunities and exchange with all labs involved in the Network.

Single-cell and tissue genomic and transcriptomic techniques will be developed and applied for these research organisms. In addition, standard methods such as in-situ hybridization for the detection of gene transcription, and RNAi for the knock-down of gene function may be applied to further investigate the function of developmental key-factor genes identified by single-cell/tissue transcriptome analysis.

For further information about “ZooCELL”, see: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101119891

Duties
The priapulid worms are a particularly interesting group as they are large and very poorly studied; furthermore, they bear a close resemblance to worms present in the Cambrian fossil record. In order to elucidate the origin of derived ecdysozoan anterior systems, this doctoral project will therefore study the detailed cellular morphology of the anterior of the priapulid worm Priapulus caudatus, using electron microscopy (array tomography SEM, TEM, DESEM). They will also generate a single-cell transcriptomic dataset for Priapulus. The data on its cellular morphology thus obtained will then be compared to EM data on other ecdysozoans, notably the worm C. elegans, and the onychophoran Euperipatoides. In particular, the structure of the nervous system and any sensory structures, essentially unknown up to now, will be characterised and compared in a phylogenetic context. This project will be placed within an evolutionary framework informed by the excellent fossil record of ecdysozoan evolution in the Cambrian.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in organismal biology, palaeobiology or nearby field or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Please note that this PhD position, due to the projects financial framework/character, is only open to applicants, that have spent at least 24 months of the last three years, outside Sweden (mobility required by DN). The applicant should be able to prove that requirement in a suitable way.

The applicant must have a keen interests in (animal) evolution. Experience in independent laboratory work, good communication skills (including good English skills (spoken/written) and the ability to work in a team are essential.

Additional qualifications
Practical experience in microscopy and/or image analysis will be an advantage.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines .

About the employment
The employment is atemporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %.Starting date 01-08-2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Graham Budd, email:[email protected]

Please submit your application by 18 March, UFV-PA 2024/418.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden .

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Geosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Geosciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Uppsala universitet

Country

Sweden

City

Uppsala

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://uu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:698017/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Contact

City

Uppsala

Website

http://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/jobs/

STATUS: EXPIRED