FYI. Please do not contact me about these positions. Contact informat
FYI. Please do not contact me about these positions. Contact information at the end of the advertisement! Advertisement of vacancies The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin is Germany’s premier wildlife research institute. The IZW focuses on the life histories and mechanisms of evolutionary adaptations of mammals and birds, their limits and their conservation in natural and anthropogenically influenced environments. For a major new interdisciplinary research initiative, funded through the Pact for Research and Innovation via the Leibniz Association, on “Gradual environmental change versus single catastrophe – identifying drivers of mammalian evolution” the IZW, together with its partner, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)with expertise in the areas of climate change, climate policy and climate economics, and in collaboration with further institutions, offers the following positions: (1+2) 2 PhD positions in Evolutionary Genomics (IZW) (3) 1 PhD position in Stable Isotope Analysis and Evolutionary Genomics (IZW) (4) 1 PhD position in Nonlinear Analysis and Reconstruction of Palaeo climate (PIK) (5) 1 Technical Assistant in Evolutionary Genomics (IZW) Project The research initiative will focus on the evolution of mammals in the Sunda Shelf in southeast Asia, a global biodiversity hotspot. By combining climate reconstructions, molecular genetic data and species distribution data from the Late Pleistocene to the present we will detect and understand the mechanisms generating complex distribution patterns of genetic and species diversity (Pleistocene refugia) and thereby evaluate the impact of the hypothesised key drivers which may shape biodiversity.Using carnivores, primates and hoofed mammals as models, this will also contribute to the assessment of the long-term consequences of the current (man-made) biodiversity crisis. Prerequisites (Positions 1+2, reference 34/2012) Candidates should hold a master’s degree or diploma in biology or related disciplines and have a strong background in molecular biology, population genetics, and/or bioinformatics. Experience with ‘ancient’ DNA work and next generation sequencing is an advantage. (3, ref 35/2012) The successful candidate will investigate the ecology of mammals in the Sunda Shelf and combine stable isotope analyses with genetic work. Candidates should have a master’s degree or diploma in biology or related disciplines. Experience in working with stable isotopes and a background in evolutionary ecology is an advantage. (4, ref 36/2012) The set of tasks associated with the position includes the reconstruction and analysis of climate conditions in the last 100,000 years in southeast Asia by using proxy records derived from stalagmites and developing new (nonlinear) techniques in order to consider instationarities, uncertainties, time-series with gaps and unequally sampled time-series. The successful candidate should hold a master’s degree or diploma in mathematics or physics with profound skills in nonlinear dynamics, data analysis and programming in several languages (e.g. Python, Matlab, C++). (5, ref 37/2012) We are looking for a technical assistant with strong molecular biology skills and, preferably, experience in ‘ancient’ DNA work and next generation sequencing. We offer state-of-the-art methodology and a stimulating research environment in an interdisciplinary, collaborative project. For all candidates, organisational skills, high motivation and the willingness to work as part of a team within a highly interdisciplinary project are essential, as is proficiency in English. For enquiries or further questions, please contact Dr Joerns Fickel (IZW) Tel.: +49 (0)30 5168-314, fic...@izw-berlin.de, or Dr Norbert Marwan (PIK), Tel.: +49 (0)331 288-2466, mar...@pik-potsdam.de. All positions are subject to final financial confirmation by the Leibniz Association. Salary and benefits will be competitive (e.g., a 65% scientist’s salary for the PhD students).Positions are limited to three years and will be available from 1st April 2013. Interviews will take place 4–8 February 2013. As members of the Leibniz Association, both IZW and PIKare equal opportunity employers, are determined to increase the proportion of women in successful scientific careers, and particularly encourage women to apply. Please submit your application (quoting references 34-37/2012) with a motivation letter, CV, copies of relevant degrees and contact details of two people who can provide a reference as one single PDF-file not larger than 500 kb before or latest on January 6th, 2013 to Stephanie Vollberg / Roswitha Hildebrand, Leibniz Institut for Zoo & Wildlife Research, P.O.Box 700430, D-10324 Berlin, Germany, perso...@izw-berlin.de.
