The Institute of Biology wants to strengthen education and research into general biology and is now offering a number of PhD scholarships with enrolment this year.

Description
The research at the Institute of Biology is divided into four research areas and the scholarships are offered within these areas:

1. Sound and behaviour
2. Environmental stress
3. Ecology
4. NordCEE, including marine biogeochemistry

The scholarships are available to students who wish to obtain a PhD either with or without a preceding Master’s degree, and who have an agreement on a PhD project with a supervisor employed at the Institute of Biology.

It is a precondition that the supervisor can cover at least 1/3 of the salary and taximeter which is currently DKK 80,000.00 a year plus additional operational costs.

In addition to the documentation mentioned below, an application has to contain a description of the project which explains the connection to the Institute of Biology, a budget (salary and costs), and documentation of financing (including operational costs).

For further information please contact Professor Marianne Holmer, Head of Institute, e-mail: holmer@biology.sdu.dk.

Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three (students who have completed their MSc) or four years (students who have not yet completed their MSc). Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three- or four-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement of 1 October 2008 on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Applicants who have not yet completed their MSc
The award of a scholarship according to the 4 +4 programme allows the student to begin the PhD Programme prior to completion of his/her master’s degree at SDU. Minimum requirements include completion of bachelor’s degree as well as 60 ECTS of the Master’s Programme. For the first two years of the 4+4 programme the student is enrolled in both the Master’s and the PhD Programmes. Within the first two years, the student must obtain his/her master’s degree in order to continue in the PhD Programme.

It is a prerequisite for enrolment in the 4 +4 programme that the applicant’s previous course of study in both Bachelor and Master’s Programme is completed with a satisfactory grade level and that the applicant is assessed to be capable of meeting the general requirements for enrolment after a maximum of one year’s further study.

If the student comes from another University, the Science Study Board will also have to approve transfer of credit from completed courses prior to approval of enrolment.

Applications must include at least the following:

1. Project description
2. Motivation and substantiated background for the application
3. Curriculum vitae of the applicant
4. Copy of diplomas from undergraduate and graduate degrees and courses
5. Letter of recommendation from applicant’s former teacher or supervisor on the applicant’s research aptitude and whether the applicant is assessed to have the necessary knowledge of theories and methods within the chosen research field
6. Other letters of recommendation

Applicants should note that letters of recommendation must be submitted before the application deadline in order to be included in the assessment of the applicant’s academic qualifications. Advertisements state that if none or some of the required material listed above is missing, the application will not be assessed.

In their preparation of applications, applicants are advised to take contact to the department in order to obtain information on the research profile of the department, the context for the scholarship, supervisional practices and so on.

The project description should include an account of the applicant’s specific areas of interest under the heading of the project, which research questions are to be addressed, an indication of which methods and theories will be applied as well as a time-plan for the project that shows a realistic progression towards completion of the PhD within a period of four years.

Applications are assessed by the relevant Study Committee, acting on behalf of the PhD Committee. The Study Committee prepares a written recommendation to the Head of Department and the Head of the PhD School which for each applicant contains:

1. A brief characterization of the applicant’s academic qualifications and the proposed project
2. Assessment of the applicant’s ability to complete the proposed project within the prescribed period
3. Any possible specific requirements that the applicant must meet such as supplementary courses or the equivalent as a prerequisite for satisfactorily completing the proposed PhD Programme

This assessment is sent to the applicant for his/her information.

Applicants who have completed their MSc
The application must be made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:

• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages)
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Certified copy of diploma
• At least two reference letters, signed

The university encourages all persons interested in the position to apply, regardless of their age, gender, religious affiliation or ethnic background.

Applications must be forwarded by e-mail (in Adobe PDF format alternatively Word 2003 or newer format) to sciencejobs@sdu.dk.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Closing date 30 May, 2012 at 12 noon

For more information, please visit official website: www.jobs.sdu.dk.

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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.