Uppsala University hereby declares the following position to be open for application:
PhD student position in Historical Geology and Palaentology at the Department of Earth Sciences
Origins of Proterozoic-Cambrian photosynthetic microbiota
Starting date: Open from the closing date for applications.
Unicellular, organic-walled photosynthetic microbiota (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) diversified at an increasing rate through the Proterozoic and in the Cambrian explosion. Their phylogenetic relationships are still poorly understood because their morphology is not always sufficient to infer their systematic position. Studies of phenotypical features, combined with cell wall ultrastructure, biogeochemistry and biomarkers may help to unravel their biological affinities. More precise placement within a geologic time frame will allow the cause-effect relationships between evolving photosynthesing (primary producers) and forthcoming heterotrophic biota (consumers) versus global environmental change to be better understood.
The study will be based on analyses of phenotypical features and the cell wall ultrastructure, biogeochemistry and biomarkers by new microscopic, spectroscopic and tomographic techniques. This interdisciplinary approach between Palaeobiology, Earth Sciences and Astrobiology encourages a strongly motivated candidate to develop collaboration with scientists from different disciplines and across the fields of studies.
The PhD student will collaborate with researchers at Uppsala and in foreign universities working with the palaeobiology, systematics, ultrastructure and biogeochemistry of cell wall, and the evolution of organic-walled microbiota. The aim of the project is to elucidate the biological affiliations and relationships to extant microbiota of selected microfossils (acritarchs), with emphasis on their life cycle, reproduction and environmental adaptations.
The holder of a PhD-student position shall primarily devote her/his time to own research and study. Other departmental work, such as educational or administrative duties can be part of the position up to 20% of a fulltime work. The Ph.D. position is for four years where financing for the first year will be a postgraduate study grant (Utbildningsbidrag) and during the following three years as an employee of the university as a Ph.D student.
The applicant must be eligible for PhD studies. Priority is given to those who are deemed to show the greatest aptitude for a successful completion of the graduate studies. The Uppsala University is strongly committed to the equal opportunity policy and women are especially invited to apply.
