Doctoral researcher, Ecology

We are looking for a PhD researcher at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the University of Jyväskylä to join a project "Determining the contribution of rare gut bacteria to ecosystem function" funded by the Research Council of Finland. The four-year position will start on 2.1.2025 or as agreed.

Project description

Gut microbiota is a diverse community of microbes that provide numerous services for their animal hosts, such as producing metabolites, communicating with the host’s immune system, and helping the host resist colonisation by pathogens. Identifying the contributions of different members of the gut microbiota to these functions remains challenging. This project will focus on identifying whether the loss of rare gut bacteria impacts the diversity of services provided by the microbiota to the host. To address this issue, we create synthetic gut microbiota that are inoculated into microcosms and a wild rodent model, the bank vole. We will then measure how changes in microbiota composition affect provision of services. One of the key outcomes of the project will be a better understanding about how biodiversity loss in gut bacteria affects wildlife health. The applicant will work within Prof Phill Watts’ groupand collaborative network to gain diverse expertise in, for example, experimental ecology, fieldwork, next generation sequencing, metabolomics, and bioinformatics analyses.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Ecology, Evolutionary biology, Microbiology, Cell biology, or other appropriate scientific discipline. We require strong motivation to write a PhD thesis, excellent collaboration skills, and good oral and written English language skills. Experience in molecular methods, microbiology, bioinformatics/statistics would be an advantage, as would also a willingness to collaborate with experimental field-work and animal handling. The project will allow for the design of additional PhD dissertation topics according to the candidates own interests.

The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of a Doctoral Researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. The MSc degree required for the position must have been completed before starting the position. Doctoral Researcher needs to be also enrolled in the doctoral programme which can be applied from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science after selection for the position.

We offer

• Funding for 4 years in the doctoral program of the University of Jyväskylä.
• Supervision in all aspects of the work (from field to lab to computational skills), possibility to join workshops to improve specific skills in e.g. bioinformatics, data analysis.
• International, enthusiastic working environment (working language is English) in a friendly research group with a large collaborator network.
• Excellent research infrastructure at Jyväskylä and in collaborators’ (incl. Konnevesi research station), labs and state-of-the-art scientific equipment, software, access to journals and scientific databases.
• Resources for travel to conferences or workshops abroad.

The position will be based at the University of Jyväskylä, where the student will join the PhD programme in Biological and Environmental Science. At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a recognized member of our community with an ample opportunity to be drawn into international research. You get to participate in our international and multidisciplinary community, where everybody’s welfare is essential. You will work in an inspiring and lively campus area and an environment that supports a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Finland has a high standard of living with healthcare, free schooling (also in English), affordable childcare, and good family benefits. The city of Jyväskylä is located in central Finland amidst Finnish lakes and has excellent opportunities for different nature, outdoor, and sports activities. It is a major educational center, whose large student population is responsible for a vibrant cultural scene. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's Handbook for international staff and visitors

The initial annual salary will be approximately 30,000 EUR (gross income, including a holiday bonus). With progress of the thesis work, the salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Universities. The employment starts with a trial period of six months.

How to apply

The application documents that should be included in PDF format:

1. A two-page long Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity and including contact information of two academics who can provide reference letters
2. Max 1-page motivation letter describing your scientific interests and key motivation for applying for this position
3. A numbered list of publications, if any
4. Relevant certificates / diplomas (or date of completion the MSc)

Eligible candidates will be evaluated based on the submitted documents following the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal interview. 

Informal enquiries to Phill Watts (phillip.c.watts@jyu.fi) about the position are welcome.