Uppsala University hereby declares the following position to be open for application:
PhD-student position in Neuroscience within the subject of ocean acidification and the effects of elevated pCO2 on fish behaviour
at the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology Unit, Uppsala Biomedical Centre (BMC), Uppsala University, starting as soon as possible.
Ocean CO2 levels increase in line with atmospheric CO2 and recent studies showed that fish reared in high-CO2 water (700 – 900 ppm which is predicted by IPPC for year 2050 and 2100) display drastic behavioural alterations. For instance, instead of the normal avoidance reaction, the smell of predatory fish attracted fish larvae raised in CO2-acidified water. These behavioural effects of elevated pCO2 seem to be mediated by effects on the central nervous system of the fish. The fact that these effects are observed in several species indicates that the scope of this problem is truly global. The project, which is funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR), is focused on the neural mechanisms mediating behavioral effects of elevated pCO2.
The project is a collaboration between Prof. Svante Winberg, Prof. Bryndis Birnir, Dept. of Neuroscience, Uppsala Univ., Prof. Göran E. Nilsson, Dept. of Molecular Biosciences, Oslo Univ., and Dr. Fredrik Jutfelt, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Göteborg Univ. Part of the experimental work will be performed at The Lovén Centre Kristineberg, Sweden.
This is a multidisciplinary project and prospective candidates should demonstrate interest in behavioral analyses, biochemical and molecular techniques, and electrophysiology. Moreover, candidates should preferable have a strong background in one or more of the following disciplines: behavioral biology, comparative physiology and neurophysiology. Experience of experimental work on fish or other aquatic organisms is an advantage. The position is available from the beginning of May 2013.
The application should include a curriculum vita, copies of exams, degrees and grades, a copy of your Master thesis (or a draft thereof), references, a short description of the applicant and his/her experience, TOEFEL scores if applicable and names and addresses of 3 references. Letter(s) of recommendation may be included.
For more information, please contact: Prof. Svante Winberg, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology Unit, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden. Phone: +46-18 471 41 76 (lab), +46-704 25 04 78 (mobile), e-mail: svante.winberg(at)neuro.uu.se. Web site http://www.neuro.uu.se. Union representatives are Anders Grundström, SACO, +46-18 471 53 80, Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST, +46-18 471 19 96 and Stefan Djurström SEKO, +46-18 471 33 15.
The application should be sent to: Registrator, UFV-PA 2008/2467, Uppsala University, Box 256, SE-751 05 UPPSALA, Sweden; fax +46-18 471 20 00 or e-mail: registrator(at)uu.se no later than March 15, 2013. An application by fax or e-mail must be followed by a letter containing the original documents, at the latest a week after application deadline.
