PhD student in Plant Physiology

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

The proposed PhD student position is available in the laboratory headed by Professor Edouard Pesquet. The project addresses the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the spatio-temporal accumulation of specific lignin chemistries in the cell walls of plants. Functional genetics in whole plants and inducible pluripotent cell cultures are combined with bulk and spatial biochemistry to study the links between specific lignin topochemistries and their biophysical functions in plant cells and tissues. Focus during this PhD will be set on understanding the role, regulation, localization, evolution and activation of lignin oxidizing enzymes. The importance of cell specific lignin topochemistries for adjusting plant physiology and growth will also be investigated in response to environmental constraints. You can read more about the research in Prof. Pesquet's group here: Edouard Pesquet - 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.

For specific entry requirements applicants should have at least 120 credits at the bachelor level in molecular biology, biology, chemistry or similar subject as well as 60 credits master level in plant physiology or similar subject including at least 30 credits of research project. Candidates who have other documented qualifications, obtained in Sweden or elsewhere, that are judged to provide equivalent knowledge are also qualified. 

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 Professor Edouard Pesquet, edouard.pesquet@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.