Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Community Phylogenomics: Position Summary: The three-year NSF-funded (DEB-1655076) Postdoctoral Fellow will investigate community structure and diversity patterns, as well as potential drivers of community assembly and species endemism, in ants in Madagascar. The postdoc will assemble a phylogenomic dataset of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) for 1300 species of Malagasy ants and combine this data with over 100,000 curated specimen records with climatic niche data to model species distributions for all Malagasy ants. The postdoc will lead analyses to characterize the phylogenetic patterns of ant community structure and diversity in Madagascar based on these phylogenomic and community datasets. This a collaborative project between Brian Fisher, California Academy of Sciences, and Bonnie Blaimer at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC [previously Smithsonian]. This study bridges genomic techniques with ant biogeography and ecology across multiple scales, from local communities to the whole Malagasy region. There are numerous opportunities to interact with other faculty and postdocs in the departments of both institutions. The project will also include trips to Madagascar where training for students will occur. The postdoc is expected to publish in leading international journals and to present his/her results at international and national conferences.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The postdoc will be involved in all aspects of this NSF-funded project, including genomics laboratory work and analyses at NC State with Bonnie Blaimer, and teaching in Madagascar. The postdoc is required to maintain up-to-date records of all experiments and data collected. Critical thinking and independence are a necessity as is lead participation in data analyses. Manuscript writing and publication are expected and required. The postdoc will interact with graduate and undergraduate students and other personnel in the Fisher lab and in the Blaimer lab. Two months of travel including a trip to Madagascar each year. Education and/or Experience: Qualified applicants must have successfully obtained their PhD degree in molecular systematics, evolutionary biology, ecology or related fields. The position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills (English) and a strong background and publication record. Experience with unix/command line and the R environment is required. Proficiency in programming (perl or python) and niche modeling is preferred, but a willingness to learn is acceptable. A background in ants is desirable, but not necessary. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Perl or Python - Proficiency in programming (perl or python) and niche modeling is preferred, but willingness to learn is acceptable. R - the R environment is required for modeling and analyzing species distributions, diversity, and ant community structure. Unix - Experience with unix/command line. Application Instructions: Please apply online: http://calacademy.snaphire.com/jobdetails?ajid=ybQU8 and include the following attachments: cover letter highlighting candidate’s motivation to apply; skills and science research background and expertise which support the application; detailed CV including a list of publications and other achievements; and names and contact details of three referees. Duration of Position: The successful candidate will be offered a position for 12 months initially, with the potential for renewal for up to 24 more months, starting preferably before 1 January 2018. Questions: Contact Brian L. Fisher <bfis...@calacademy.org> (fisherlab.org) or Bonnie Blaimer <bonnieblai...@gmail.com> ********************* Bonnie B Blaimer Dept. of Entomology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC 20560 Starting November 1: Dept. of Entomology & Plant Pathology North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695
