Doctoral Student in Biology

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Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology is accepting applications for a doctoral studentship leading to a doctorate in Biology at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences. The position is focused on aquatic ecology, specialising in restoration ecology. As a doctoral student, you will contribute to important knowledge about the connection between restoration of watercourses and biodiversity in rivers, which in turn will contribute to more resource-efficient action programmes for optimised positive impact on aquatic ecosystems.

You are expected to conduct research in close collaboration with other researchers in the River Ecology and Management Research Group (RivEM) at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Karlstad University. RivEM conducts both basic research and applied research, focusing on water courses, lakes and their immediate surroundings. The group is interested in sustainable use of natural resources in water catchment areas, and are dedicated to combat environmental problems and finding solutions that benefit both the community and the environment. RivEM is involved in research areas such as restoration ecology, environmental issues related to hydropower, aquatic and terrestrial habitats and their interconnections, winter ecology in relation to climate change, endangered species such as the European eel and thick-shelled river mussel, conservation biology, and socio-ecological research connected to river regulation and sport fishing. Many of the research projects are carried out in collaboration with private actors, government agencies, special interest groups and land owners. For more information, visit: https://www.kau.se/en/biology, https://www.kau.se/en/nrrv and https://www.nrrv.se.

Duties

Swedish watercourses are heavily affected by ongoing human activities such as hydropower, forestry and agriculture, as well as by activities of a historical nature such as clearing routes for log driving and drainage of wetlands. This has resulted in degraded habitats and reduced biodiversity, and thus a deterioration of the ecosystem services provided by lakes, watercourses and wetlands. As a doctoral student, your research will be conducted as a part of the EU project Improving connectivity, hydrology, habitats and water resilience in aquatic ecosystems (LIFE23-NAT-SE-Improve Aquatic LIFE, https://improveaquaticlife.se/en/). The project aims to investigate how restoration measures in and around watercourses affect organism communities. The focus is on the connection between connectivity-enhancing measures and their effect on fish populations, but more general studies of the impact of restoration measures on habitats and their organism communities may also be included.

Your main duties will be to (1) develop existing and new methods to evaluate the effects of connectivity-enhancing measures on fish populations and fish migration, and (2) participate in the evaluation of the effects of watercourse restoration on aquatic and terrestrial organism communities. Duties also include telemetry studies on fish in the field, as well as demographic mapping of fish populations before and after measures, and computer simulations. Laboratory experiments may also be included. Specific research questions will be established together with the doctoral student.

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the discipline and the department. The position includes departmental duties (within the project), corresponding to 20 % of full-time. Work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you structure your day. It takes commitment, discipline and a structured approach in order to successfully complete a doctoral thesis. Experienced supervisors offer guidance and support along the way. To contribute to a positive work environment and further the department’s activities, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, applicants must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, applicants must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for the doctoral programme in biology, applicants must hold at least 120 credits in biology, including a degree project at master’s level of at least 15 credits. Applicants may also be eligible if they, in some other way, have acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.

Having a valid driver’s license is required as well as proficiency in English.

Admission and assessment criteria

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Special weight will be given to:

• the applicant’s results in previous studies
• the quality of independent written assignments included in previous studies
• the extent to which the applicant intends to be physically present and active in the research environment
• the applicant’s experience in planning and implementing restoration measures in aquatic environments as well as evaluating these measures
• the applicant’s experience in planning, conducting and reporting fish studies, as well as associated methods for catching (traps and electrofishing), tagging and telemetry

Considerable weight will be given to:

• analytical skills, knowledge of aquatic ecology, data processing and statistical analysis
• experience of field work

Weight will be given to:

• personal qualities such as the ability work as part of a team, show sound judgement and take responsibility
• commitment to the activities
• a positive attitude towards colleagues and students

Proficiency in Swedish is seen as a valuable qualification.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises five years of study at a rate of 80 %, with 20 % departmental duties. The position is fixed-term – one year initially, followed by possible extensions by a maximum of two years at a time, with a start date by agreement. The start date is 15 June 2025, or as agreed by both parties.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• a cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position
• a list of qualifications (CV)
• degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates
• copy of Master’s thesis or equivalent
• a copy of bachelor’s thesis, or equivalent
• where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications
• any letters of recommendation
• two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or former or current manager.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-administratör
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 8 May 2025

State the reference number: REK 2025/84

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.

HR Excellence in Research
Karlstad University received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award September 2020. The award is issued to employers with a stimulating work environment and good conditions for researchers and its continuous improvement. The award also conveys the university’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment as well as favorable professional development for researchers. Read more: kau.se/hrs4r

1. Olle Calles, 0701771144

1. Thomas Bragefors, SACO, 054-7001714
2. OFR/S Sveriges lärare Madeleine Wiker, 054-7002113