Researcher in arthropod visual ecology Part-time

Researcher in Arthropod Visual Ecology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The project deals with the specialization of miniaturized arthropod eyes to maintain complex visual behaviors with minimal numbers of ommatidia. The work will involve preparing thrips and water flea eyes and optic lobes for volume electron microscopy. This will involve optimization of fixation that will be validated by micro-CT and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of opsin genes in the eyes of these species will also be confirmed using in situ hybridization.

Work duties include:

• Research within the area of visual ecology and invertebrate vision.
• Teaching in the first, second, and third cycles of studies.
• Opportunity for training in higher education teaching and learning shall be given if teaching is part of the work duties.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements include:

• A PhD or equivalent research qualification within the subject of Applied Entomology, Insect ecology, biology, or related fields.
• Knowledge and experience in the field of invertebrate visual ecology, especially with miniaturized eyes in insects, compound eye anatomy, and morphology.
• Experience working with serial block-face SEM, X-ray microtomography, TEM, and other imaging and microscopy techniques.
• Experience conducting behavioral experiments related to visual ecology with miniaturized invertebrates.
• A good understanding and experience with molecular techniques related to in situ hybridization, and understanding of opsin expression in invertebrates.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications include:

• Experience in tissue fixation protocols for miniaturized aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and electron microscopy techniques.
• Familiarity with software including FIJI for image analysis and tracing tools like CATMAID for projectomic and connectomic purposes are especially needed.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant's experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment:

• Fixed term employment for 6 months. Start date April 27th, 2026 or as soon as possible, by agreement.
• The scope of the employment is fulltime (100%).
• Contact person: Michael Bok, researcher: michael.bok@biol.lu.se

Instructions on how to apply:

• Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:
• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.