The fellowship is for a period of up to 4 years, with 25 % compulsory work. Starting date no later than 1 October, 2010.
Job description:
This is a project on the link between responses on environmental changes at different levels of biological organizations, from individual performance (physiological adaptation and life history) to population dynamics and ecosystem functioning. The project is named “Environmental changes in a soil-springtail experimental model system; effects on individual, population and ecosystem levels” and will be based on experimental model systems with selected soil dwelling collembolan (springtail) species, ranging from single species cultures to microcosms and field experiments. The project addresses general questions about how differences in physiological and life history adaptation between species/populations may affect the responses of natural species assemblages on environmental changes. Specifically, the project will focus on effects of temperature changes, but also how this may interact with xenobiotic substances, such as toxins, and availability of nutrient elements. We wish to include xenobiotic substances with fairly well known effects on cellular processes and individual performance, in order to improve our understanding of how interaction between several environmental factors may have differential consequences under different conditions. The project will also address questions about ecosystem functioning by studying how effects on experimental collembolan species assemblages may have consequences for decomposition processes. By selecting appropriate species/populations the project will address questions about potential range shift and invasiveness under environmental changes. The project is part of a larger initiative in integrative biology with collaboration between various disciplines, such as eological stoichiometry, ecophysiology, toxicology, life history and population dynamics.
Applicants may submit a project proposal for the qualifying work during the program. The project proposal should include research topic, main issues, as well as choice of theory and method.
Requirements:
Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant natural science discipline, with a focus on ecology or ecophysiology. A good understanding of eco-physiological and/or ecological processes must be documented. The candidate should have some knowledge of statistical data analysis. Prior experience with work on springtails is not required. When ranking qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on relevant qualifications in biology. A good background in ecological and eco-physiological theory, as well as experience with quantitative research, will be particularly favourable. Qualifications in other relevant scientific disciplines may also give an advantage. Qualifications and experience in teaching or supervising students are bonuses.
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The fellowship requires admission to the research training programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. An approved plan for the research training, including a project outline, must be submitteed no later than two months after taking up the position, and the admission must be approved within three months. For more information see: http://www.uio.no/admhb/reglhb/personal/tilsettingvitenskapelig/regulationstermcondition.xml
A good command of English is required of all students attending the University of Oslo: http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/research/education/proficiency_in_English.html
Salary: PhD Research Fellow (SKO 1017), pay grade: 45-51 (NOK 355 400 – 394 200 per year, depending on seniority/qualifications)
The application must include:
Application letter
CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Closing date for applications: 15 May, 2010
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o. The University of Oslo has a goal of recruiting more women in academic positions.
Women are encouraged to apply. The University of Oslo also has a goal of recruiting ethnic minorities to Norway in academic positions. Ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
