Last Date: 31 December 2023.
The Department of Zoology is a vibrant international community, consisting of five interactive and collaborative divisions: Ecology, Ethology, Functional Morphology, Population Genetics, and Systematics and Evolution. The advertised postdoctoral fellow will be part of the division of Functional Morphology.
Project description
The Department of Zoology invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow position as part of the project ‘Feeling the heat: how metabolic physiology drives vulnerability of insects to ongoing winter warming’, funded by the Swedish Science Council, Vetenskapsrådet. Hypometabolism (HM) refers to states of heavily suppressed metabolism. These are pervasive in the animal kingdom, but mechanistic underpinnings and physiological commonalities among species are unclear. This is surprising, since HM is a critical part of the life-cycle in most ectothermic animals living in seasonal environments, of large adaptive value in several important insect pest species and a feature of several pathological states in humans. In this project, the postdoctoral fellow will study metabolism during insect diapause, a deep resting stage, as model phenotype to study HM.
In the project, the postdoctoral fellow will use a comparative and integrative approach to study whole organism and organelle metabolism across several ecological contrasts in overwintering insects. They will study population-dependent variation in metabolic performance in insect species that overwinter in different life-stages, to ask if populations across the chosen ecological contrasts show local adaptation in winter energetics. As such, this project will clarify longstanding questions regarding the physiology and evolution of HM-states, but will also specifically work to generate relevant energetic models that predict vulnerabilities of insect populations (including important pollinators, agricultural pests and disease vectors) to winter warming.
Main responsibilities
The postdoctoral fellow will utilize state-of-the-art approaches aimed at obtaining a fundamental molecular and physiological understanding of mitochondrial metabolism during winter diapause in insects.
Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.
Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.
In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in experimental biology using non-model insects. Experience beyond the doctoral degree is not required, however applicants must have demonstrated productivity in pursuing research in relevant or related disciplines. Relevant expertise includes bioenergetics, biochemistry, mitochondrial biology, metabolism, ecophysiology, insect physiology, stress physiology. We specifically look for candidates with experience in respirometry, metabolomic analysis and, importantly, experience with Oroboros mitochondrial respirometry. We are looking for a highly motivated and focused individual. Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken, are a requisite.
Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2024-02-01 or as per agreement.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from the project leader Philipp Lehmann, [email protected].
Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected], Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected], and [email protected] (SEKO).
Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
Please include the following information with your application
- Your contact details and personal data
- Your highest degree
- Your language skills
- Contact details for 2–3 references
and, in addition, please include the following documents
- Cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining why you are interested in and suitable for the position
- CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
- Copy of PhD diploma.
The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
You are welcome to apply!
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Closing date: 31/12/2023
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