Second announcement
Ph.D. Position Open
Project: Evolutionary Niche dyNamics of Invasive Species (ENNIS)
Project Description: The ENNIS project seeks to understand the
relationship between the evolutionary history, niche
variation and accompanying variation in the distribution of species, and
the tendency for plant species to become invasive and/or naturalized.
The project will focus on clades that have naturalized and invasive
member species in Switzerland and central Europe. We will use an
interdisciplinary approach that includes activities in niche modeling,
phylogenetic reconstruction and modeling trait,evolution. The research
includes characterization of the environmental niches and distribution
of clade members using multivariate statistics
and niche-based species distribution modeling, sequencing DNA, use of
sequence and phylogenetic databases, and use of other
databases on the distribution of invasive species. Collection of
material for sequencing, and additional data on species global
distributions may involve visiting national herbaria, botanical gardens,
individual researchers, and doing fieldwork throughout the sum
distribution of the species in the focal clades. Phylogenetic
reconstruction of evolutionary relationships will be undertaken using
likelihood and Bayesian methods. Modeling of evolutionary processes of
ecological diversification will be approached through the use of
experimental software and the development of original algorithms.
The Ph.D. Position
The position includes funding for three years (sufficient to complete
the degree), a stipend for living in Switzerland, and substantial
resources for travel.
You will be matriculated in the Ecology and Evolution doctoral program
of the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland, and will be a member
of both the Department of Ecology and Evolution (DEE) at that
institution and at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, located in
Birmensdorf near Zürich. You will spend periods in residence at both
institutions under the supervision of Drs. Peter B. Pearman (WSL) and
Nicolas Salamin (UNIL).
Application closing date: 15 February 2009
Starting date: Hopefully by June 1st, 2009
To Apply: See websites
http://www2.unil.ch/phylo
http://www.wsl.ch/personal_homepages/pearman
After reviewing the information on the ENNIS project that is available
at the web sites, feel free to contact either:
Peter B. Pearman [email protected]
Or
Nicolas Salamin [email protected]
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Peter B. Pearman
Land Use Dynamics
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
www.wsl.ch
[email protected]
++41 (0)44 739 25 24
