A research assistant position is available for durations of four to nine weeks (within the period from August 1st to November 15th 2016) in the Biological Interactions Lab (http://www.biointeractionslab.com) in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Work will be based in Namaqualand, a semi-desertic area of astonishing plant diversity, during the annual spring mass-flowering displays. We will conduct pollinator observation and experiments on the unique long-tongued fly pollination guilds across a large area (200km long). The plant species we focus on are from the Iridaceae and Geraniaceae families. Candidates need to be hard-working, willing to spend long hours in the field and to spend large amounts of nights camping. Previous experience in pollination biology will be an advantage. Food, accommodation, and a small stipend will be provided. Travel costs to South Africa are not included. Please direct any questions and applications to Florent Grenier: florent.gren...@ens.fr Deadline: July 1st 2016 Florent Grenier florent.gren...@ens.fr PhD candidate, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier - FRANCE and Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South-Africa http://www.biointeractionslab.com/ cell phone : +33 6 76 48 10 30 References on the study systems: Manning, J. C., & Goldblatt, P. (1996). The Prosoeca peringueyi (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild in southern Africa: long-tongued flies and their tubular flowers. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 67- 86. Manning, J. C., & Goldblatt, P. (1997). The Moegistorhynchus longirostris (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild: Long-tubed flowers and a specialized long-proboscid fly pollination system in southern Africa. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 206(1-4), 51-69.
