Umeå University - with its 33,000 students and over 4,000 employees - is an organisation in constant change and development. Umeå University conducts groundbreaking research within several areas - several in which we are among the best in the world - within others regarded as the leaders in Sweden. We are one of Sweden’s largest providers of education and offer a broad and attractive range of courses and programmes. Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment for everyone that studies and works here. We wish to co-operate with companies and organisations throughout the Umeå region and all over the world.

PhD position in Ecology
Indirect effects of herbivores on arctic plant communities via nutrient availability and plant nutrient uptake

Project description
Herbivores are known to have strong effects on tundra ecosystems. Herbivores influence biomass, primary production, composition and diversity of these plant communities as well as their response to climate change. Earlier studies show that the indirect effects via nutrient cycling might be even more important than direct effects via consumption in northern ecosystems. Herbivores may influence the nutrient availability via their feces, via influencing soil processes and via influencing the nutrient uptake by plants.

The effect of herbivores for plant nutrition will be tested within this PhD project, by combining measurements within ongoing long term studies with common garden experiments. Many of the studies will focus on the effect of reindeer, but also effects of voles and lemmings will be studied. The position will be based in Umeå, but at least part of the field work will be carried out in Abisko.

Assoc. Prof. Johan Olofsson, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University will be main supervisor in the project. Ass. Prof. Ann Milbau and Ellen Dorrepaal, Climate Impact Research Center, Department Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University associated supervisors.

Application
The application should include a letter of intent, certified curriculum vitae that includes information on previous education, copies of the master’s thesis, publications and other documents supporting your competence and suitability for the position, and address and phone number to two reference persons. The application may be written in English or Swedish.

Requirements
The recruitment procedure will follow the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen chapters 5 and 7). Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTS credits (Swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), or ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (Swe. poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence. Education should include 120 ECTS credits (2 year) biological subjects, 15 ECTS credits ecology or corresponding subject, and a 30 ECTS credits independent project in ecology or a similar relevant field. It is qualifying to have good knowledge in ecological theory and training in microbial ecology and molecular biology/genetics. The successful applicant should have good ability to write and speak in English, creativity, power of initiative, independence and ability to collaborate. Evaluations will be based on results on University courses, quality of master’s thesis, references, interviews and the letter of intent.

A PhD education is 4 years (48 months). Up to 10 % as teaching assistant may be included in the position (then the position will be extended accordingly).

For more information contact Johan Olofsson, +46 90-786 7704, johan.olofsson@emg.umu.se, Homepage: www.emg.umu.se/english/about-the-department/staff/view-person/?uid=jool0004&guise=anst1

Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO civil, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.

The application period for this advert has expired.