Linnaeus University is the result of a merger between Kalmar University and Växjö University. Together we will be creating a new, exciting university with 31 000 students and 2 000 employees. Linnaeus University is a modern, international university in the Småland region of Sweden, where people can grow to reach their potential. The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The research activities within this multidisciplinary department include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science and environmental engineering as well as zoonotic ecology.

Job description
Microbial syntrophy and symbiosis in the deep terrestrial biosphere. The ‘deep terrestrial biosphere’ contains a significant portion of the earth’s total biomass and despite existing in ‘extreme slow motion’ due to the highly oligotrophic conditions, these microbes can play a significant role in global nutrient cycles. However, due to its size and the difficulty of obtaining samples, the deep terrestrial biosphere is one of the least understood environments on earth.

The research project will investigate the deep biosphere present in terrestrial crystalline rock fracture systems. The project will use ‘multi omics’ on biofilms, activity measurements, single amplified genome interrogations of attached cells, and electron microscopy visualizations to investigate mechanisms for growth and survival in deep terrestrial biosphere microorganisms.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.

Requirements
A person fulfils the general entry requirements if he/she

• has been awarded a degree on second-cycle level
• completed the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which 60 credits on second-cycle level, or
• in other way, in Sweden or abroad, has acquired principally equivalent knowledge

Specific requirements also include

• a high proficiency in written and spoken English
• be able to solve problems
• have the ability to work independently as well as interact well in a research group

Assessment grounds
Although the position is primarily in environmental microbiology, knowledge of bioinformatics and the ability to write computer code would place the candidate at an advantage.

For further information
Please contact Professor Mark Dopson (mark.dopson@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-447334; Head of Department Per-Eric Betzholtz (per-eric.betzholtz@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446238; or HR partner Christian Andersson (christian.andersson@lnu.se)