PhD-student in Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics Full-time NEW

PhD-student in Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics

Uppsala University, Department of Ecology and Genetics

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:

• hold a Master's (second-cycle) degree in Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Bioinformatics, or a related field, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education with at least 60 credits at Master's level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way (e.g. extensive research experience).

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:

• Have a grasp of key concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology/genetics.
• Have experience with programming and scripting.
• Be highly motivated and curious and thrive in a collaborative environment.
• Be able to take responsibility for carrying out and finishing independent tasks and projects.
• Candidates must be able to express themselves at a high level in spoken as well as written English.

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:

1. A cover letter describing yourself, your research interests, why you want to pursue a PhD, and why you are suitable for this specific position and project (maximum 2 pages).
2. CV.
3. A brief description of your education.
4. A copy of your master's degree and course transcripts, as well as a copy of your master's thesis.
5. Names and contact details of at least two references (email and phone number).
6. Any publications.

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor, David Berger, david.berger@ebc.uu.se

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 1 November, 2026.