[Taxacom] Graduate position: PhD studentship in Systematics, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants

[Alexandra Muellner]

Job announcement

 

The Department of Botany and Molecular Evolution at the *Senckenberg 
Research Institute and Natural History Museum* in Frankfurt (Germany) 
invites applications for

 


  1 PhD studentship in Systematics, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants

 

Salary: approx. € 29,400 gross per annum (employment according to German 
BAT BL IIa/2), funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Duration: 2008-2011 (36 months)

Starting date: September 1^st /October 1^st , 2008

 

Essentials:

We look for a highly motivated candidate holding a Master?s degree (or 
equivalent) in a relevant subject with proven expertise in molecular 
systematics techniques (DNA extractions, PCR, sequencing) and plant 
morphology. You will demonstrate interest in plant systematics, broader 
questions in evolutionary botany and plant biogeography studies. Good 
communication skills, the ability to work independently and the 
willingness to conduct fieldwork in South America/Southeastern Asia are 
essential. A working knowledge of English, and possibly also Spanish, 
are highly desirable.

 

Job duties:

You will combine existing DNA sequence data with new data collected and 
produced during the project to reconstruct evolutionary relationships 
for different taxa in the economically important pantropical plant 
family Meliaceae (mahogany family, Sapindales). These multi-gene 
phylogenetic trees will be set in a temporal context by fossil 
calibrations or constraints. You will compare morphological features of 
selected fossil taxa to those of their putative living relatives. 
Together with information on the geographical and ecological attributes 
of species and knowledge about the geological history of the 
distributional areas, you will answer questions about the timing and 
setting of divergence events and the association of divergence events 
with habitat niche requirements. You will be expected to contribute to 
teaching at undergraduate levels.

 

The Senckenberg Research Institute supports equal opportunity of men and 
women and therefore strongly invites women to apply.

Equally qualified severely handicapped applicants will be given preference.

 

Applications should be emailed to Dr. Alexandra Muellner 
(alexandra.muellner at senckenberg.de) as a single pdf and include:

1) a cover letter outlining relevant background and work experience

2) a full curriculum vitae, including a list of publications

3) copies of educational certificates

4) names and addresses of two referees.

 

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Alexandra Muellner 
(alexandra.muellner at senckenberg.de).

 

Closing date for applications: August 3^rd , 2008.

-- 
Dr. Alexandra Nora Muellner
Senckenberg Research Institute
Department of Botany and Molecular Evolution
Grunelius-Moellgaard Laboratory
Senckenberganlage 25
D-60325 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Tel. +49-(0)69-97075-1158
Fax +49-(0)69-97075-1137
alexandra.muellner at senckenberg.de
http://www.senckenberg.de/root/
index.php?page_id=3797&preview=true