PHD SCHOLOARSHIP IN ACUATIC ECOLOGY ( Sweden)

Job assignments

The PhD student will be working within a project that aims to assess the population structure of cod stocks and investigate whether stocks consist of multiple populations. Cod stocks and fisheries management plans are defined from geographical areas. However, the stock within a specific area may contain several populations with different life-history characteristics, such as growth rates and reproductive capacities. Reliable assessments of life-history characteristics are fundamental for sustainable management. Hence, management may be deteriorated if not considering the characteristics of all populations within a stock. The project studies the population structures within management units by designing sampling schemes based on the situated knowledge of professional fishermen about the distribution and migration patterns of cod. The project examines genetics and growth patterns among cod populations using molecular, otolith and morphological methods. The results will describe the populations of cod stocks in the south of Sweden, point out differences in growth rates among populations and contribute to the sustainable management of cod fisheries by including population-level characteristics in stock assessment. Field sampling of fish and interviews of fishermen are mixed with analytical laboratory work.

Eligibility/Entry Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated PhD student interested in working with the above aspects of research and management. The studies demand coherent laboratory routine, social competence, ability to work independently and a great interest for studies at the interface between humans and animals. Valuable merits of the successful applicant are experience in field- and laboratory work with fish, as well as knowledge on fisheries and navigation necessary for interviewing and discussing with fishermen. Formal requirement is an academic degree in biology with an emphasis on aquatic ecology including at least 30 credits thesis project, or equivalent. Particularly valuable is an interest in both practical and theoretical aspects, as well as documented skills in writing and orally presenting both English and Swedish material. Fluency in swedish is a requirment since the PhD student will conduct interviews with fishermen in swedish. A driver’s license for car is necessary for the position.

Type of employment: Limit of tenure, 18 months and then a PhD employment for the remaining 30 months
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Biology (Ecology), Lund
First day of employment: 2011-03-21 or as soon as possible
Official Records Number: NPA 2011/65

or further information please contact:
Anders Persson, Researcher
046-2228367
anders.persson@limnol.lu.se

Tina Nilsson , personaladministratör - only answers questions about the application process
046-2220285
tina.nilsson@ekol.lu.se

Last Day of Applying
       2011-03-02

Appointment Procedure

Complete information about the application process can be found here:http://www.naturvetenskap.lu.se/o.o.i.s/11729 Applications must be received by the date specified in the announcement.

Apply by clicking on "Apply online" above. Fill out your profile and attach all documents you want to have considered. For questions about the application process please contact personnel administrator Tina Nilsson ontina.nilsson@ekol.lu.se