PhD student in avian song evolution

The Department of Zoology is a department in the Faculty of Science and has approximately 80 employees, including researchers, doctoral students and administrative staff. Research and education at the department takes place in an international environment and focuses on animal biology. Outstanding and high-quality research is conducted in a range of different subjects, including animal behaviour, evolutionary biology, ecology, genomics, and conservation biology.
More information about us, please visit: the Department of Zoology.

Subject area

Our research is focused on the role of social learning in sexual selection and speciation. Specifically, we study the complex song of a songbird, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) in populations across Europe. Principal questions include how and why songs vary across individuals, populations, and species and the consequences of this variation for mating, population differentiation, and species interactions. We combine acoustic analyses and deep learning, experiments in the field and in captivity, as well as neurogenomic approaches. See https://wheatcroftlab.com/ for more information.

Possible research topics that could be addressed include (but are not limited to):

1. song variation across individuals, populations, and species and how this variation relates to behavioral responses
2. cultural evolution of songs within and across populations
3. consequences of cultural evolution for population genetic differentiation
4. how early experience and genetics drive variation in song responses.

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 to be admitted to a doctoral program in zoology, the applicant must have passed courses worth at least 120 credits in biology, or equivalent, and have completed an independent project in biology, or equivalent, worth at least 30 credits, at advanced level, with passing results. Exceptions to special eligibility may be made.

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 the field of animal behaviour and evolutionary biology
• capacity for analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• ability to collaborate
• 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 David Wheatcroft, david.wheatcroft@zoologi.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.