PhD studentship in Evolution within the discipline of Plant Evolution and Systematics

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March 12, 2009

Lund University announces the following vacancy:

PhD studentship in Evolution within the discipline of Plant Evolution and Systematics

With placement at the Department of Ecology, Section for Plant Ecology
and Systematics, Faculty of Science, Lund University.

Reference Number: N 2009/119
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Information: Prof. Honor C. Prentice +46 46 2228971 (+46 73 5968334) Honor_C.Prentice@ekol.lu.se
Prof. Anders Tunlid +46 46 2223757 (+46 70 3140067. Anders.Tunlid@mbioekol.lu.se
Worker’s unions at Lund University: OFR, SACO och SEKO

Project title: Allelic variation and protein function in a plant community context

Project description:
This interdisciplinary project represents a collaboration between the
Section of Plant Ecology and Systematics, and the Section of Microbial
Ecology within the Department of Ecology, Lund University.

The project will focus on genomic ecology and community genomics and will
develop a novel system for the study of gene variation and function in
the context of natural plant communities. Molecular differentiation will
be investigated at a pair of loci coding for a key metabolic enzyme,
phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), in the wild plant Festuca ovina,
and the distribution and function of individual PGI alleles will be
explored in natural populations within grassland plant communities on
the Baltic island of Uland. The project will involve characterization
of sequence differentiation between the multiple alleles at the two
loci and the development of allele-specific primers. Relationships
between individual alleles and fine-scale niche-variation within natural
grassland communities will be investigated and the functional consequences
of the allelic variation will be inferred through analyses of predicted
protein structures.

The PhD project will be linked to the Research School in Genomic Ecology
within the Centre for Genomic Ecology (CGE). Genomic ecology represents a
new interdisciplinary field on the interface between ecology, evolutionary
and molecular biology, and genomics. The long-term goal of CGE is to
achieve an integrated understanding of the molecular, evolutionary and
ecological mechanisms and processes that are involved in the generation
of the immense diversity of form and function that characterizes
living organisms. The Research School in Genomic Ecology will provide
the PhD student with access to advanced courses and opportunities
for placements in other laboratories as well as a stimulating social
network. Further information about CGE and the research school can be
found at http://www.ekol.lu.se/research/genomic-ecology.

Qualifications:
Applicants should have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology,
with specialization in botany, plant ecology, plant genetics, molecular
ecology, molecular genetics, or a similar subject area. Experience with
molecular techniques is a central requirement for the position. Competence
with univariate and multivariate statistics, bioinformatics and plant
cultivation is also a desirable merit. A very good knowledge of written
and spoken English is required. A valid driving licence is also a
desirable merit.

Additional information:
A Swedish PhD represents four years of full-time study. Of these four
years, three years are devoted to research activities and one year is
devoted to advanced course work, in which course points are obtained via
attendance at research-level courses given in Lund or elsewhere in Europe.

Regulations concerning appointment as a full PhD student can be found in
HF 5 Chap 1-7 and SFS 1998:80. Also consult the admission regulations
found at: http://www.science.lu.se/o.o.i.s/4964 An educational stipend
is awarded for the first 18 months of full-time study, following which
time the student is appointed as a full doctoral student. Regulations
concerning educational stipends for doctoral students can be found in SFS
1995:938 and 1998:81. Regulations concerning appointment as a full PhD
student can be found in HF 5 Chap 1-7 nd SFS 1998:80. Those who hold
an educational stipend or a doctoral student appointment must first be
accepted for postgraduate study. To be accepted, a student must be judged
to have the competence necessary to complete a course of postgraduate
study. In addition to pursuing postgraduate studies, the doctoral student
may also perform other duties – including teaching and administration -
according to the specific regulations. The university strives for a
more even gender representation within postgraduate education.

Applications are made on a specific application form found on the web
site: http://www.science.lu.se/o.o.i.s/13456

The application must reach the Registrar, Kansli N, Lund University, Box
118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden, not later than Wednesday 8 April 2009. All
submitted document must be attested as to their authenticity.

Scholarship Tags: discipline, Evolution, PhD, Plant, Studentship, Systematics