The Snook lab at Stockholm University is seeking a fully funded 4 year PhD student to begin as soon as possible. We study the evolutionary ecology of reproduction and genetic mechanisms underlying adaptation and plasticity. Our main study organisms are insects, including Drosophila and butterflies. Working language in the lab is English.
The PhD project investigates the consequences of climate warming on butterfly reproduction. Thermal sensitivity of reproduction is well-known but the extent to which climate warming may affect population persistence and affect response to climate change is broadly unknown. The project will take a comparative approach using sister taxa from Pieridae and Nymphalidae that vary in host plant use, voltinism and geographic distribution. Critical and fertility thermal limits will be determined in the laboratory across species and across populations of each species. Traits that associated with thermally induced sterility will be determined and then used in field work throughout Spain to establish the ecological relevance of thermal fertility limits via surveys of natural populations. Using citizen science data on butterfly distribution and abundance, the project aims to link experimental data on predictors of thermal fertility limits with field data on fertility loss to generate more evolutionarily realistic models to improve forecasts of species responses to future climate change scenarios. Thus, the project is searching for a candidate with good knowledge in insect ecology, thermal biology and/or evolution. Experience of fieldwork, insect rearing, and a good grounding in statistics are considered important qualifications.
Applications are received through the ReachMee portal of Stockholm University. You must have a Masters degree before starting the position and the application will require contact details for 2-3 references along with a 2 page maximum cover letter detailing your previous research and your specific interest in this project.
Application deadline is February 15, 2023
For more information, please contact Professor Rhonda R Snook (rhonda.snook@zoologi.su.se)
Follow this link to be directly taken to the advertisement and application process.
For the advertisement in Swedish, follow this link.
Dr. Jessica K. Abbott
Department head/Senior University Lecturer
Department of Biology
Section for Evolutionary Ecology
Lund University
Sölvegatan 37
223 62 Lund, Sweden
Phone: 046 222 9304
Website: https://tinyurl.com/jessicakabbott
"It is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, Descent of Man
