PhD
position
Marine Evolution and Conservation (1,0 fte) (Reference number
212075)
Organisation
The PhD
position is with
the Marine Evolution and Conservation (MarECon) group at the
Centre for
Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES) which is placed with
the Faculty of
Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Groningen
in the
Netherlands. The research conducted by the members of MarECon is
aimed at the
evolution and conservation of pelagic marine organisms, in
particular marine
mammals. We are interested in those processes that partition
genetic variation
within those species that inhabit this comparatively open
environment. Our
primary research approach is population genetics and genomics.
The research is
conducted with a global network of collaborators who collect
data and tissue
samples in the field.
Job
description
The
pinnipeds and cetaceans represent some of the most derived
mammal groups. The
many convergent features in these two groups provide clear
evidence of the
strong natural selection the mammal "bauplan" is subjected to
when
transitioning to a marine existence. The combination of strong
convergent
evolution in different lineages of mammals constitutes an
excellent opportunity
to gain insights into the genomic underpinnings of the evolution
and adaptation
in pinnipeds and cetaceans and the subsequent radiations into
different
distinct marine habitats.
The objective of this PhD project is to utilize genome enabled
methods to
identify those traits under past and recent selection in
pinnipeds and cetaceans.
The research will mainly consist of genome wide-scans in select
population
samples and subsequent bioinformatics and population genomic
analyses of those
data. The newly fitted laboratory is situated in the new green
building
Linneausborg on the Zernike Campus with excellent facilities for
this kind of
work.
The PhD student will be supervised by Dr. Martine Bérubé and
Prof. Per
Palsbøll.
Qualifications
We are
looking for a
highly motivated person with a master's degree in biology or
equivalent discipline,
with a strong background in empirical and theoretical population
genetics. The
ideal candidate for this position has good quantitative skills
and the ability
to conduct bioinformatics analyses of the large amounts of
short-read sequence
data. Programming skills (or the interest and ability to acquire
such) is a
necessity. The candidate should be able to work and solve
problems
independently. Some knowledge of marine mammals is beneficial,
but not a
prerequisite. It should be noted that the opportunities for
fieldwork will be
few and brief. A good command of English is required. The
candidate will be
enrolled in Groningen Graduate School of Science, attend
graduate courses
within the Research School Ecology and Evolution and participate
in our teaching
program (10% of time).
Conditions
of
employment
The
University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2,042 gross per
month in the first
year up to a maximum of € 2,612 gross per month in the final
year. The
employment is initially in a temporary position of 1.5 years
with possible
extension with another 2.5 years provided satisfactory
performance during the
first year. The PhD candidate will be evaluated after the first
year in order
to determine the likelihood of the successful completion of the
PhD thesis
within the following three years. If a successful completion is
deemed
unlikely, the employment will not be extended. The main
objective of the
position is to publish research articles in peer-reviewed
scientific journals.
These publications will form the basis of the doctoral thesis
and obtaining the
PhD degree (Dr) at the University of Groningen.
Application
A full complete application in English consists of a letter
describing your
personal motivation for applying for this position outlining
which skills
pertinent to the position you have, past experience as well as a
brief
explanation what you think the main research questions in
evolution and
conservation are today for marine mammals. Also make sure to add
a complete
curriculum vitae along with names and addresses, including
telephone/fax and
e-mail addresses for three referees.
We would like to receive applications until 15 May 2012, 24:00
CET by means of
the application form.
Start date before 1 September 2012.
Information
For
information you can
contact:
Dr. Per Palsboll, p.j.palsboll@rug.nl;
palsboll@gmail.com
Applications
should be
submitted on-line at http://www.rug.nl/corporate/vacatures/vacaturesRUG (the reference number for this position is 212075)
before May 15th
2012.
Apply
-- Per J. Palsboll, Professor Marine Evolution and Conservation Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Office phone: +31 50 363 9882 Mobile +31 64 870 3295 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands