PhD-student in Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics

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Do you want to conduct frontier research in an outstanding environment within evolutionary biology at Sweden's largest faculty of science and technology? The Department of Ecology and Genetics at Uppsala University conducts world- leading research in biology, spanning from molecules to ecosystems and global biodiversity patterns. We are now looking to recruit a PhD student who wishes to develop their research career together with us.

The Department of Ecology and Genetics (IEG) at the Evolutionary Biology Center (EBC) is an international environment with staff that conducts research to understand ecological and evolutionary processes across all levels of biological organization. IEG provides access to advanced national and local research infrastructures, including free super computing resources (NAISS) and the latest molecular technologies and sequencing platforms (SciLifeLab platforms). IEG hosts a Climate Lab with controlled environmental chambers and greenhouses, a state-of-the-art molecular lab, and animal rearing facilities. PhD-students at IEG can join the PhD school which provides ample opportunities for networking on and off campus with PhD-students from the other two biology departments at Uppsala University (The Department of Organismal Biology, and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology).

The position is offered by the research program in Animal Ecology at IEG. The program's current research spans population- and conservation-genomics and quantitative- and evolutionary genetics, evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology, and macroecology. Further information about the Animal Ecology Program can be found here.

Project description A central question in evolutionary biology is whether evolution is repeatable, and whether the same genes contribute to repeated phenotypic adaptations. This question has important implications for predicting genetic responses to changing environments. This project aims to integrate mechanistic insights about phenotypic adaptation with genomic data to understand how species evolve adaptations to changes in their environment.

The project will leverage data from a large-scale Evolve-and-Resequence experiment in a cosmopolitan insect pest, the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. This unique system allows us to study the roles of determinism and chance in local adaptation and the evolution of a species' ecological niche. Extensive phenotypic, RNA-seq, and DNA pool-seq data are available from multiple time points in the experiment, which is still ongoing. Several other C. maculatus strains sampled across its global distribution and closely related seed beetle species are available in the host lab. This provides opportunities for comparative genomics and additional experiments and data collection to further develop the project.

Duties The PhD project will involve a combination of experimental work and bioinformatic analysis, with emphasis on the latter. The exact balance between tasks may depend on the candidate's interests and the project's development.

PhD students at the Institute of Ecology and Genetics (IEG) have the option to engage in teaching and to develop their pedagogic CV by taking courses. The type and level of teaching will depend on availability and the student's interests but cannot exceed 20% full-time employment. The position and funding is extended by the time the student has engaged in teaching.

The PhD candidate will work with the main supervisor David Berger and with the co-supervisor, SciLifeLab fellow Dr. Gabriela Montejo-Kovacevich, both at IEG.

Qualifications required To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:

Candidates who have not yet completed their degree but are expected to meet the degree requirements before the start date are encouraged to apply.

The ideal applicant should also:

Additional Qualifications Some of the following skills are desirable: Experience with statistical analyses applied to quantitative genetic or population genomic data. Experience working with bioinformatic pipelines using computer servers and clusters. Experimental work, such as experience working with experimental evolution or genetic strains.

About the employment The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 §7. Scope of employment: full-time (100%), for 4-years. Starting date: flexible start date in 2027. Placement: Uppsala University.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Instructions for the application The application must include:

For further information about the position, please contactAssociate Professor, David Berger, [email protected]

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 1 November, 2026. UFV-PA 2026/2654.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it is like to work and live in Sweden.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https: // uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Employee organizations: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]

Contract type Full time First day of employment 2027-01-01 eller enligt överenskommelse Salary The salary is set in accordance with the established salary scale for doctoral students Number of positions 1 Full-time equivalent 100 City Uppsala County Uppsala län Country Sweden Reference number UFV-PA 2026/2654 Contact

Published 09.Sep.2026 Last application date 01.Nov.2026

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