Three positions in evolutionary biogeography at the University of Otago, New Zealand (Posted 16 January 2015) For all three positions I am looking for someone with skills in phylogenetic analysis, modern statistical methods and a solid understanding of plant function. Please let me know if you are interested.
Three year post-doctoral position in plant evolutionary biogeography We are seeking a post-doctoral researcher with interests in phylogenetics and the evolutionary biology of plants. The position is funded for three years as part of a new Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund project on “the evolution of the functional diversity of forests” led by Prof. Steven Higgins (Botany, University of Otago, New Zealand, http://biogeog.zohosites.com) and Prof. David Bryant (Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, New Zealand, http://www.maths.otago.ac.nz/~dbryant/). The project aims to explore the relationships between the evolution of species and functional diversity in plants. We will estimate how niche geometry evolves in conifer and angiosperm forest tree lineages by integrating recent progress in biophysical niche modelling with phylogenetic methods for ancestral trait reconstruction. The exact project tasks will, however, be tailored to reflect your expertise and interests. The project requires skills in plant physiology, evolutionary biology, mathematical ecology and phylogenetics or an aptitude to learn these skills. Candidates should have first degrees in Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or related subjects. The position offers a stimulating research environment. The university of Otago is New Zealand's top-ranked university for research. The Dunedin campus provides a lively intellectual environment and is home to excellent research groups in ecology, evolution, genetics and ecological and evolutionary statistics. Additionally, the project involves international collaborations with paleo-ecological and paleo-climatic groups based at BiK-F in Germany. The preferred starting date is 1 May 2015. Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vita and the names and contact details of three references. Applications should be submitted by 1 March, although we will consider applications until the position is filled. Please direct enquiries to [email protected]. Applications should be made University of Otago's Human Resources system (https://otago.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1500162). The salary level is PD01, which is NZ$ 72046 per annum. Three year PhD studentship in plant evolutionary biogeography We are seeking a PhD candidate with interests in phylogenetics and the evolutionary biology of plants. The studentship is funded for three years as part of a new Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund project on “the evolution of the functional diversity of forests” led by Prof. Steven Higgins (Botany, University of Otago, New Zealand, http://biogeog.zohosites.com) and Prof. David Bryant (Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, New Zealand, http://www.maths.otago.ac.nz/~dbryant/). The project aims to explore the relationships between the evolution of species and functional diversity in plants. We will estimate how niche geometry evolves in conifer and angiosperm forest tree lineages by integrating recent progress in biophysical niche modelling with phylogenetic methods for ancestral trait reconstruction. The exact project tasks will, however, be tailored to reflect your expertise and interests. The project requires skills in plant physiology, evolutionary biology, mathematical ecology and phylogenetics or an aptitude to learn these skills. Candidates should have first degrees in Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or related subjects. For admission to the Otago PhD program evidence of previous research experience is essential (BSc-Honours, MSc or equivalent). The position offers a stimulating research environment. The university of Otago is New Zealand's top-ranked university for research. The Dunedin campus provides a lively intellectual environment and is home to excellent research groups in ecology, evolution, genetics and ecological and evolutionary statistics. Additionally, the project involves international collaborations with paleo-ecological and paleo-climatic groups based at BiK-F in Germany. The preferred starting date is 1 May 2015. Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vita, copy of your university transcripts, a sample of your written scientific work and the names and contact details of three references. Applications should be submitted by 1 March, although we will consider applications until the position is filled. Please direct enquiries to [email protected]. The scholarship includes a NZ$25000 annual stipend and tuition fees. Two year post-doctoral position in trait-based dynamic global vegetation modelling We are seeking a post-doctoral researcher with interests in forecasting impacts of climate change on the community and evolutionary ecology of plants. The position is funded for two years. The project will further develop an existing dynamic vegetation modelling platform for temperate forests. This model simulates the evolution of plant functional traits as constrained by trade-offs between traits and by competitive interactions between individual plants. Your task will be to improve the model's representation of selected ecological processes and to compare the model”s behaviour to existing forest plot inventory data. The project requires skills in plant physiology, evolutionary biology, mathematical ecology and computer programming (C/C++). Candidates should have first degrees in Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or related subjects. The position offers a stimulating research environment. The university of Otago is New Zealand's top-ranked university for research. The Dunedin campus provides a lively intellectual environment and is home to excellent research groups in ecology, evolution, genetics and computational biology. The project further offers the opportunity to collaborate with an international network of climate and vegetation modelling groups. The preferred starting date is 1 May 2015. Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vita and the names and contact details of three references. Applications should be submitted by 1 March, although we will consider applications until the position is filled. Please direct enquiries to [email protected]. Applications should be made University of Otago's Human Resources system. (https://otago.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1500194). The salary level is PD01, which is NZ$ 72046 per annum.
