PhD student in Plant systematics

The Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences (DEEP) is located in the Arrhenius Laboratories, situated at the University Campus at Frescati. Research spans a broad range of biological subject areas including ecology and evolution, marine biology, plant physiology, systematics, and environmental and climate science. Presently around 100 people, including 35 PhD students and 15 postdocs, in 25 research groups work at DEEP.

For more information about us, please visit: The Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant sciences.

Project description

Reconstructing Madagascar’s biome history using plant phylogenetics

The thesis work will address the origins and diversification of biomes in Madagascar using phylogenetic methods on plants. Specific research questions can focus on one plant group or involve comparative studies across different plant groups. Methods will centre on phylogenetics but can also involve molecular lab work, field work and/or computational phylogenomics and modelling, depending on the student’s profile and interests. The project structure is highly flexible and can be shaped by a motivated and independent candidate.

You will be part of Jan Hackel’s newly established research group in evolutionary plant biogeography at DEEP. For more information, please visit Group Hackel - Stockholm University

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of plant systematics: The applicant must have completed and passed courses at advanced level corresponding to at least 60 credits, of which 15 credits should be courses in plant systematics and at least 30 credits shall be independent work (e.g. a dissertation project) in plant systematics or equivalent.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• documented knowledge in a relevant field of research
• capacity for analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• ability to collaborate
• excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact the principal investigator for this project, Associate Professor Jan Hackel, jan.hackel@su.se, or the subject representative, Professor Catarina Rydin, catarina.rydin@su.se.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in the second half of June 2025.