Double PhD degree in Plant Evolutionary Ecology: Adaptive divergence and incipient speciation in Cape Gladiolus
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden (Uppsala University) and Makhanda, South Africa (Rhodes University)
Organization:
Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University & Department of Botany, Rhodes University
Contract Type:
Full-time PhD position, 4 years
Main Description:
We are hiring a PhD student in plant evolutionary ecology for a double degree between The Department of Ecology and Genetics (IEG), Uppsala University, and the Department of Botany, Rhodes University under the supervision of Prof. Nina Sletvold and Dr. Ethan Newman. A key research area in evolutionary biology is bridging the gap between microevolutionary processes and the resulting macroevolutionary patterns. In this project, we use the Gladiolus carneus (Iridaceae) species complex to study ecological speciation of Cape Gladiolus. The G. carneus complex is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), one of the most species-rich floristic regions in the world, and includes multiple morphologically distinct varieties associated with variation in pollination and the abiotic environment. To disentangle various drivers of diversification, the project combines phylogenomic comparative methods, population genetics, and extensive field and common garden experiments. This project represents an ambitious and unprecedented evaluation of ecological speciation in the CFR, and the successful PhD candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of drivers of phenotypic and genomic divergence across different time scales. The PhD student will be responsible for designing and maintaining various field and common garden experiments, including reciprocal translocations along elevational gradients and plant collections in the growth facilities. The PhD project will involve intense periods of field work, including driving and hiking in rough terrain and mountains. A component involving molecular lab work is also included. The PhD student is further expected to actively participate in the academic activities of our research group, develop analytical frameworks, prepare manuscripts for publication, and present their work at national and international meetings.
Requirements:
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:
- Hold a Master's (second-cycle) degree in biology, evolutionary biology, plant biology, or equivalent
- Have completed at least 240 credits in higher education with at least 60 credits at Master's level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way
- Have a driver's licence, and be willing to spend considerable time away from the lab, doing field work
- Candidates must be able to express themselves fully in spoken as well as written English
Qualifications desired:
- Publication of at least one first author paper (may also be under review or in press)
- Experience presenting research at an international or local conference
- Experience with statistical analyses and associated software (e.g., R)
- Demonstrated capacity to design and troubleshoot experiments
- Previous experience with field and common garden work
- Previous experience with molecular lab work
- Capacity to work as part of a team
- Ability to drive a 4x4 vehicle for field work
Benefits/Conditions:
The PhD candidate will obtain two degree certificates, one from each university, in which the prerequisites from each institution needs to be fulfilled. The research project will ensure satisfaction of the requirements for a PhD degree at both universities, individually. The PhD candidate will be funded by a combination of salary in Sweden and scholarships in South Africa.
How to Apply:
The application should include:
- Your research interests, and a motivation of why you want to pursue a PhD, your interest in this specific project, and your suitability for the position
- Your CV including your education, research experience, and references to publications
- Names and contact details of two referees (email address, institution, and phone number)
The application should be written in English. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. Please send your application directly to botany@ru.ac.za, using the subject heading "Application double PhD degree".
Starting date: February 1, 2026 or as agreed
Application deadline: January 15, 2026
More information:
Professor Nina Sletvold (Uppsala University): nina.sletvold@ebc.uu.se
Dr Ethan Newman (Rhodes University): e.newman@ru.ac.za
https://uu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:886908/
