Student Opportunity Announcements
PhD position in spatial population dynamics
A PhD position (4 years) in the
project “Spatial heterogeneity, functional
responses and predator-prey
dynamics”, is available.
It is widely believed that spatial heterogeneity
stabilizes predator-prey interactions,
but the underlying mechanisms
are poorly understood. This
project focuses on a previously overlooked
aspect – the dynamics of the
covariance between predator and prey
densities. The project involves cooperation
with an international group
of researchers that contribute with
extensive data sets on coupled predator-
prey systems. The data involve
a diverse set of organisms, including
mammals, insects, mites, and crustaceans.
Many of the systems show cycles
and complex spatial patterns.
The project is demanding but
will likely yield publications in high
ranked journals. A paper that provides
more background is found in
Am. Nat. 167:246-259.
The application should include a
short description of your research interests,
CV, certificates from higher education,
copies of Bachelors/Masters
thesis, and updated contact information
for three reference persons.
The recruitment procedure will follow
the Higher Education Ordinance
(Högskoleförordningen chapters 5 and
7). Proficiency in both written and spoken
English is required.
Umeå University, in northern Sweden, is a dynamic university with ca.3 800 employees and 29,000 students, of which 1,300 are in
PhD programs. The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science has about 170 members including 50 PhD students (for more
information see the department’s homepage: <www.emg.umu.se/index_eng.html>. See also the International office, <www.umu.
se/international_office/> for a general presentation of Umeå and the University.
For more information about the
project, please contact Professor
Göran Englund, at <goran.englund@
emg.umu.se>. See also <www.emg.
umu.se>.
Union information is available
from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65,
SEKO civil, +46-(0)90-786 52 96
and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.
Your complete application, marked
with reference number 313-1331-
08, should be sent to the Registrar,
Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå,
Sweden to arrive May 26, 2008 at
the latest.