Doctoral student in biology with a focus on tropical forest ecology

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Doctoral position in biology with a focus on tropical forest ecology

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that 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 organisation from genes, individuals, and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics, and combinations of these fields to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current employment is based at Natrium.

We offer

The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means special benefits, more holidays and a great pension. You can read more about our employment benefits here.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.   

Project description 

This PhD project is within the broad research field of Forest Ecology with likely ramifications into climate change research, biogeography, genomics, evolution and conservation. The overarching aim is to study the spatial and temporal variation of tree communities in the Atlantic rainforests of eastern South America, one of the most biologically diverse yet highly threatened global biodiversity hotspots.

The key questions addressed by the project are: (i) What are the spatial patterns in forest community structure (tree species composition and abundance), phylogenetic structure, and aboveground carbon stocks in the Atlantic Forest across spatial scales? (ii) What are the main environmental factors (e.g., soil nutrients, topography) driving these patterns? (iii) How do species-specific responses to environmental factors affect forest functioning and diversity? More specific questions and research foci will be developed by the PhD student in collaboration with their supervisors.

The doctoral student will coordinate the establishment of permanent forest plots as well as the collection of ancillary data (e.g., topographic, edaphic, and climatic variables, plant genetic material, as well as terrestrial (and potentially drone and airborne) laser scanning for 3D mapping of species and carbon storage quantification). Over time, data collected under this project will enable long-term studies linking forest diversity and dynamics with remotely sensed data, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of how tropical forests will respond to ongoing global changes. Most data will be collected directly in the field, but research will also compare data and results with those obtained in other sites and regions. Some samples will be analysed in situ and others will be brought to the lab for subsequent analysis. Field campaigns could result in the discovery of new species to science, given that the Atlantic Forest has been classified as a global plant diversity 'darkspot'—a region identified as likely to yield a large number of new species and new records for science. Collected data will be analysed using appropriate quantitative and statistical methods.

The project is primarily based on ongoing research efforts carried out by the Atlantic Forest Research and Conservation Alliance (www.araca-project.org) at Alto da Figueira Reserve in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The reserve is managed by the non-profit charity Antonelli Foundation for Biodiversity Research and Conservation (www.antonelli-foundations.org). Its permanent protected status and long-term funding provide security that the established tree plots will be freely accessible to researchers and students for decades to come, thus enabling long-term ecological monitoring studies and providing the PhD student to lead on and participate in many scientific collaborations.

The student will be hosted at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences under the main supervision of Dr. Daniel Zuleta, with co-supervision by Prof. Alexandre Antonelli. The project includes collaboration with scientists, PhD students, and field staff working at the field stations, as well as potential collaboration with other international researchers involved in forest monitoring networks (e.g., ForestGEO, ForestPlots.net). The student will have the opportunity to learn about and explore cutting-edge techniques in remote sensing and vegetation models (FATES, LPJ-GUESS) through current collaborations within the research group.

The project is related to the strategic research area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate; http://www.becc.lu.se/) and the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Center (GGBC, https://www.gu.se/en/ggbc-global-biodiversity), which host research opportunities and courses that will be open to the recruited PhD student (e.g., ClimBEco,  https://www.cec.lu.se/sv/utbildning/forskarutbildning/forskarskolan-climbeco).

Duties   

The main task is to conduct the PhD thesis work under supervision, which includes development of the PhD student’s methodological experience, analytical skills, as well as theoretical depth and breadth. Techniques used within the project may include tree hydraulic methods, genetic lab work, and point cloud processing. The studies will be conducted mostly as field studies. Specific research topics associated with the research project include forest dynamics, phylogenetics, and remote sensing.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.    

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.  

Eligibility   

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must:

1. have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or
2. have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or
3. have completed a corresponding programme of relevance to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.
   *Relevant subject for the planned third-cycle education is biology.

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.   

It is a requirement that the applicants have:

• Knowledge of plant biology, in fields such as ecology, taxonomy, phylogenetics, or equivalent
• Analytical skills in producing or handling biological data
• Ability to work individually as well as part of a group
• Willingness to conduct field work in Brazil
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, since we work in an international environment.

Other desirable qualifications are:

• A MSc or BSc in a topic relevant to this project
• Knowledge in forest ecology
• Experience conducting field work under remote/challenging conditions
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and/or programming, e.g. in R or Python
• Experience working in a team
• Experience in remote sensing methods/data collection
• Experience with scientific publication(s)
• Experience coordinating field crews
• Language skills in Portuguese or Spanish, or ability to learn quickly

The application should preferably be written in English and must include:

• A short cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria (no more than one page)
• An attested list of qualifications (CV)
• Examination certificates and a transcript of courses with grades
• A copy of the Master thesis (or equivalent)
• Employments certificates and other documents deemed important by the applicant

The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview, which will be held in English and could also be performed digitally.

Employment   

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.   

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.    

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.  

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.   

Placed at the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: February 1st, 2025 or upon agreement.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.   

Contact information 

For further information please contact:

Daniel Zuleta, Associate Senior Lecture
Phone: +46 (0)73-499 8092
Email: daniel.zuleta@bioenv.gu.se
Webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/danielzuleta

Alexandre Antonelli, Professor
Email: a.antonelli@kew.org
Webpage: https://antonelli-lab.net/

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
Phone: +46 31 786 26 25
Email: asa.arrhenius@bioenv.gu.se

If you have any questions about the employment process, please contact HR at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, hr@bioenv.gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

Application   

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.   

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

Applications must be received by: October 31st, 2024.

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. Salaries are set individually at the University. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.