Postdoctoral Position Macroevolution of Terrestrial Vertebrates (Yale University, 2 years)
A postdoc position is available in the new NSF Genealogy of Life project VertLife Terrestrial: A complete, global assembly of phylogenetic, trait, spatial and environment characteristics for a model clade. Project members include Walter Jetz (Yale, Lead), Alex Pyron (GWU), Rauri Bowie (UC Berkeley), Jake Esselstyn (LSU), and Rob Guralnick (CU Boulder). The position will be based in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at Yale University (http://jetzlab.yale.edu), with visits to collaborating research groups. We are looking for a talented young scientist with an interest in macroevolution and macroecology and with superior skills in phylogenetic analysis and models of trait evolution and diversification. Additional background in spatial analysis and informatics tools development is highly welcome. The successful candidate will have a compelling publication record, an interest in developing own research questions, and a proven ability to work both independently and in larger teams. Terrestrial Vertebrates comprise ca. 33,000 species with a wide range of life histories and ecological adaptations. The VertLife Terrestrial project will undertake concerted phylogenetic and trait data assembling efforts that will advance the species-level completeness of key evolutionary and ecological attributes. It aims to help establish terrestrial vertebrates as a global model system for macroevolution, macroecology, comparative biology and global change research. Online analysis and visualization tools are planned that will connect to existing projects such as Map of Life. The postdoc is expected to develop and address macroevolutionary and macroecological questions building on these resources. For additional information see http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=132716. Yale has a thriving community of postdocs and graduate students in evolution, ecology, and global change science associated with the EEB Department, the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, the Program in Spatial Biodiversity Science and Conservation, the Peabody Museum, the Yale Climate & Energy Institute, and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. The town and campus are renowned for their classic Ivy League setting, 75 miles north of New York City. To apply please email a short cover letter, CV and contact details of three referees (all in one pdf) to [email protected] with VertLife postdoc in the subject line. US applicants are encouraged to simultaneously consider an NSF PRFB (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15501/nsf15501.htm, Area 2) to come to Yale. Applications from both within and outside the US are welcome. Start date is flexible, but should preferably be around Spring 2015. Review of applications will begin on 30th of November 2014 and continue until the position is filled.
