Doctoral student in Biology

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology invites applications for a doctoral studentship in biology at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences.  

This project is grounded in fundamental questions in evolutionary biology and ecology concerning how differences between the sexes arise and the role such differences play in ecological interactions and speciation. Using salamanders (Triturus and Lissotriton) as a study system, the project explores the ecological causes and consequences of sexual dimorphism, with particular emphasis on niche divergence during the early stages of ecological speciation.

A central aim of the project is to investigate how sex‑specific differences in body size and resource use shape interactions between species, and how the presence of closely related species may strengthen or weaken natural selection acting on males and females. Another key question concerns whether the evolution of ecological sexual dimorphism influences the development of reproductive isolation, and whether it thereby contributes directly to the process of ecological speciation.

The research primarily builds on experimental work using a mesocosm‑based approach, focusing on within‑generation fitness effects of ecological interactions between males and females of different, co‑occurring Swedish salamander species. The project also offers opportunities for complementary genetic and phenotypic studies of unmanipulated wild populations, as well as potential collaboration on issues related to salamander conservation in Sweden. The position includes both fieldwork and laboratory work.

As a doctoral student, you will become part of the new and growing research environment in Evolutionary Biology at Karlstad University, where research is conducted in evolutionary genetics and evolutionary ecology, with established studies on several organisms in both field and laboratory settings. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers within this environment. The doctoral student will also collaborate with and be co-supervised by researchers in the River Ecology and Management Group (NRRV), which focuses on applied questions within aquatic ecology.

Overall, the project connects core questions in evolutionary biology and ecology to improve our understanding of how ecologically important differences between the sexes evolve and how these differences, in turn, shape ecological communities. There is substantial scope for the doctoral student to further develop the project in directions aligned with their own interests and expertise, for example through genomic approaches, behavioral studies, theory development, or research on eco‑evolutionary interactions. The project is particularly well suited for candidates with interests in amphibian ecology, the evolution of sexual dimorphism, and/or niche evolution and community ecology.

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the discipline and the department. You are given the opportunity to deepen your interests in collaboration with others. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement but will not constitute more than 20 % of full-time. Work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you organise your tasks. This requires commitment, drive and the ability to structure your work to successfully complete the doctoral thesis.

To contribute to a positive work environment and further both the department’s activities and your own development as a researcher, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Entry requirements and admission

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, applicants must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, applicants must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in biology, the applicant must hold at least 120 credits in biology, including a degree project at master’s level (of at least 15 credits).

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Assessment criteria

The assessment of eligible applicants is based on the criteria listed below.
These criteria should be weighted and presented either in running text or as bullet points under the headings provided below, refer to the guidelines in Part 1.  

Special weight will be given to

• Documented research interest and experience in evolution, ecology or a related field.
• Peer-reviewed publications, preprints or the quality and scope of the master’s thesis.

Considerable weight will be given to

• Quantitative skills (e.g. training and experience in statistical theory and statistical analysis, coding in R or other programs, experimental design, etc)
• The ability to work independently as well as to collaborate with others and share resources, exhibit creativity and take initiative.
• Fieldwork experience in freshwater ecology / working with amphibians

Valuable qualifications

• Results/performance in previous study
• The quality of any independent written assignments included in previous study
• Proficiency in English
• Valid Drivers Licence (Category B)
• The extent to which the applicant intends to be physically present and active in the research environment
• Personal qualities such as independence, resourcefulness, communication, and collaboration

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies consisting of research only. If teaching or other departmental duties become relevant, the appointment will be extended by a corresponding period, up to a maximum of five years full-time. The position is fixed-term, one year initially, followed by possible extensions of a maximum of two years at a time (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5). Start date as agreed by both parties.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Application

Submit the application via the university’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. The application should include:

• a cover letter where the applicant briefly describes themselves and their research interests
• a short (1 page) essay outlining why you want to do a PhD, and why doing so at Karlstad is a good fit
• a list of qualifications (CV)
• degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates
• copy of Master’s thesis or equivalent
• where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications
• any letters of recommendation
• Contact information for two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or previous or current superior.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-avdelningen
HR-administratör

651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 2026-04-22

State the reference number: REK 2026/92

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.

This translation carries no legal weight.