POSTDOC GRANT APPLICATIONS - CONSERVATION
As part of a new project funded by the Belgian National Fund for
Scientific Research (FNRS), it is possible for non-Belgian young postdoc
researchers to APPLY for a three-year FNRS postdoc grant in the
laboratories collaborating to the project (Univ. Mons-Hainaut,
UCLouvain-la-Neuve, National Botanical Garden, all located in Belgium).
The topic is "Key factors for the persistence of fragmented populations
of rare or declining plant species and their preferential pollinators:
pollination patterns, inbreeding depression, gene flow and available
resources". Four insect-pollinated plant species from fens are studied:
/Comarum palustre/, /Menyanthes trifoliata/, /Vaccinium oxycoccos/ and
/V. uliginosum/, as well as the diversity and efficiency of their
pollinators. In particular we will study the following aspects:
1. Study of the pollinator guilds: diversity, behaviour and diet
2. Reproductive biology: floral biology, pollen transfer limitation,
mating system, and inbreeding depression.
3. Population genetics: outcrossing rates and realized pollen flow using
DNA microsatellite markers.
The study sites are located in two regions in southern Belgium (High
Ardenne and Lorraine). They are protected areas (EU Natura 2000 zones
and natural reserves) and ecologically managed fens. This project is
realized in collaboration with the local nature managers and aims to
contribute to the long-term preservation of viable populations of fen
species in these highly threatened habitats.
The grant is for a full-time position, salary up to 37000 euros/year,
depending upon experience, with social security cover.
To be qualified to apply to this grant, the candidate must have obtained
his /her PhD after 1 January 2003 (= max. 6 years at 1 January 2009),
have a good CV (several publications in ecological, conservation or
evolutionary journals) and did not stay in Belgium for more than 24
months during the last 3 years.
Three different profiles are sought:
1. A plant population geneticist (training and experience in development
and use of microsatellite markers and in genetic data analysis is a
requirement, experience in spatial analyses would be an advantage), to
be based at the National Botanical Garden of Belgium (Meise; Olivier
Raspe, Fabienne Van Rossum; see
http://www.br.fgov.be/RESEARCH/PROJECTS/floraofbelgium.php).
2. A plant population biologist (experience in reproductive biology,
pollination and mating systems; entomological skills would be
advantageous), to be based in UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain,
Louvain-la-Neuve), in the research group âgenetics, populations,
reproductionâ (Anne-Laure Jacquemart; see
http://www.uclouvain.be/gena-pops.html).
3. An entomologist (experience in insect observation, ecology and
systematics, especially for Apidae, and in plant/pollinator
interactions; botanical skills would be advantageous), to be based in
University of Mons-Hainaut (Mons), in the laboratory of Zoology (Denis
Michez & Pierre Rasmont; see http://www.zoologie.umh.ac.be
<http://www.zoologie.umh.ac.be/>,
http://www.zoologie.umh.ac.be/hymenoptera/).
If you are interested, please send an e-mail message and attach a cover
letter outlining your interest and motivation to join us with your
Curriculum vitae (including a publication list and contact information
for two reference scientists) as a separate document, to Fabienne Van
Rossum, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> BEFORE 24 AUGUST 2008. Please
indicate which profile you are interested in. The selected candidates
will be informed beginning of September. The deadline of the application
to the FNRS grant (done by the promoter of the project) is 15 September.
IF GRANTED, the starting date is 1 January 2009.
Best regards
Fabienne
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Dr Fabienne Van Rossum
Department of Vascular Plants
National Botanic Garden of Belgium
Domein van Bouchout
BE-1860 Meise
Belgium
Tel (direct line): +32 2 2600932
Fax: +32 22600945
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
website: www.br.fgov.be
