Utlysning doktorandtjänst GU inom projektet "Sustainable large-scale cultivation of seaweeds in Sweden"
Closing date: 2014-11-30
PhD student in Natural Science, specialising Biology
Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Tjärnö
First day of employment: Up on agreement
Reference number: UR 2014/914
The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) was formed in 2012 and is a merge between the former departments of Marine Ecology, Plant and Environmental Sciences, and Zoology. Our teaching and research activities stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organization from genes, individuals and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics and combinations of these fields in order to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment. The department is placed at four different localities: in the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, at Medicinarberget Campus (both in the centre of Gothenburg) and at the two marine research stations Kristineberg and Tjärnö that are run by Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences. The current position is based at Tjärnö.
Doctoral education
The admission to doctoral education takes place in natural science, specialising in biology. The program comprises four years of fulltime study and includes three years working on a thesis project and one year of courses and literature studies. Courses can be selected within the department/faculty, but national/international courses can also be included. Teaching and supervision of undergraduate students may be included, which extends the doctoral education period.
Project description
The PhD project is part of the larger research project "Sustainable large-scale cultivation of seaweeds in Sweden" where researchers from the University of Gothenburg, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and the Scottish Association of Marine Science participate. The overall project objective is to develop a sustainable large-scale system for growing kelp (Saccharina latissima) at the Swedish west coast. Seaweed cultivation is the fastest growing aquaculture sector globally, but is totally undeveloped in Sweden despite good natural conditions. The project deals with methodological and environmental aspects such as new cultivation techniques, mass production of spores and seedlings, breeding of crop varieties, and effects of seaweed cultivation on the surrounding marine ecosystem.
Job assignments
The main task is to carry out thesis work under supervision, during which the PhD student will develop knowledge and skills in methodology, analytical ability and subject theory. The work tasks include laboratory-based production of seedlings, development of new cultivation techniques for seaweeds in the field, development of high-performing lines through breeding, and evaluation of positive and negative environmental effects of large-scale algal cultivation. The studies will be conducted both in the field and in the laboratory. The thesis work also includes statistical analyses and compilation of results in scientific papers, leading to the publication of a doctoral thesis. The PhD student will also present results at conferences, seminars, and project meetings and is expected to communicate and collaborate actively with other participants.
The admission to doctoral education takes place in Natural Science, specialising in Biology. The program comprises four years of fulltime study and includes three years working on a thesis project and one year of courses and literature studies. Courses can be selected within the department/faculty, but national/international courses can also be included. Teaching and supervision of undergraduate students may be included, which extends the doctoral education period.
More information about the project: http://www.seafarm.se/web/page.aspx?refid=135
More information about the position at here
For further information contact:
Henrik Pavia, +46(0)31-7869685,
or Head of department: Ingela Dahllöf, +46 (0)31 786 3393,