PhD student in theoretical ecology

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Linköping University is seeking a PhD student within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network ReDiLEEP (Using science-driven Response Diversity knowledge to Leverage Efficient Ecosystem Preservation and restoration). ReDiLEEP brings together leading universities, research institutes, and non-academic partners in and outside Europe to develop research on response diversity and translate new knowledge into ecosystem management, restoration, and biodiversity policy. The PhD student will contribute to this work by investigating the relationship between the structural organization of ecological networks and response diversity.

Research project DC2: Species interaction networks and response diversity based on acoustic monitoring data

Read more here: https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/lediga-jobb/29762

Your duties

• Apply and develop network analytical methods to characterize network structure and analyze how it relates to response diversity under environmental changes.
• Develop and apply AI and machine learning methods to identify and quantify species interactions from acoustic recordings.
• Construct ecological interaction networks based on the derived acoustic data.
• Actively contribute to scientific discussions and collaborations within the research group and the broader ReDiLEEP network.
• Publish scientific articles and present research at international conferences and network meetings.
• Actively participate in the ReDiLEEP network's training activities, secondments, research communication, reporting, and joint activities for the PhD group.

As a PhD student, you will devote yourself to your doctoral education and the research project you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental duties, up to 20 percent of full-time employment.

Exchanges and training within the network

The position includes nine months of planned exchanges:

4 months at Earth Species Project: development of an AI pipeline for acoustic data.

3 months at Kyoto University: hypothesis testing with data from Okinawa.

2 months at Think Nature: use of sound and network data as a basis for green transition.

Your qualifications

You must have:

• A completed advanced degree in ecology, biology, applied mathematics, computational science, or computer science, or have completed courses amounting to at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at an advanced level in ecology, biology, applied mathematics, computational science, or computer science, or have otherwise acquired knowledge that is mainly equivalent.
• A strong interest in theoretical ecology, ecological networks, response diversity, ecosystem stability, and the application of AI and machine learning to ecological questions.
• Experience in scientific programming, quantitative analysis, or computational modeling, preferably in R, Python, C++, or comparable tools.
• An interest in working with large ecological datasets and developing computational methods to understand ecological responses.
• The ability to work independently and simultaneously contribute constructively to an international and interdisciplinary PhD network.
• Very good ability to express yourself in speech and writing in English, as well as a good ability to write scientific text.

Experience in bioacoustics, machine learning, ecological network analysis, signal processing, or analysis of large ecological datasets is meritorious.

A motivation letter must be attached to the application to support the above experiences and interests.

MSCA Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks at the time of recruitment:

• Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must be a PhD student and be admitted, or eligible for admission, to doctoral studies at Linköping University.
• Applicants must work full-time and exclusively within the ReDiLEEP project during employment, in accordance with applicable MSCA rules.
• Mobility rule: applicants must not have been resident or had their main activity, such as work or studies, in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.
• Exceptions to the mobility rule apply, including mandatory national service, refugee status, and temporary protection.

Your workplace

Read more here: https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/lediga-jobb/29762

What we offer

Read more here: https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/lediga-jobb/29762

About the employment

Upon commencement of employment, you will be admitted to doctoral studies. Read more about the doctoral studies of the respective faculty https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning

The employment is time-limited to normally four years full-time. Extension of employment up to five years occurs based on the degree of teaching and departmental duties. Under special circumstances, further extension may occur. You will initially be employed for one year, after which the employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan.

Salary and benefits

Read more here: https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/lediga-jobb/29762

Union contact persons

https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande.

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the "Apply" button below. Your application must be provided to Linköping University no later than October 5, 2026. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; it enriches and develops our operations. For us, it is fundamental to uphold everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work at https://liu.se/artikel/lika-villkor/.

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