Two Ph.D.-student positions are available at the University of Tuebingen funded by the VolkswagenStiftung. Apologies for cross-posting.
The project addresses context-dependent plasticity of sexual selection. We will study the plasticity and evolution of sex roles within and across populations with different environmental contexts. Our main study species is the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) with exclusive paternal care, plastic sex-roles, and a mating system that is highly affected by its natural and social context such as by nest availability, predation risk, water temperature, operational sex-ratio, and mate competition. Coastal areas of the Baltic Sea provide a natural gradient in terms of biotic, abiotic, and community ecological factors. We will study how the environmental, ecological, and demographic context affects populations and the mating system. We will conduct experiments and population surveys to obtain relevant data.
Requirements: Applicants should have a keen interest in doing experimental work with small fish in the field, and in performing molecular analyses and behavioural assays in the lab. The ideal candidates for this project have a background in evolutionary ecology (or a related field), are highly motivated, creative and independent. A Diplom or MSc degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Ecology or a related discipline is required.
The new team will be part of Animal Evolutionary Ecology at the Institute of Evolution and Ecology at the University of Tuebingen.
Regular visits of field sites and extended stays at research stations, mainly in Finland, Sweden and Germany during the field season (May-July) are essential. The working language in Tuebingen and at the field stations is English. However, for everyday life at the University and in Tuebingen (located in southern Germany, close to Stuttgart), some knowledge of German will be advantageous.
Both positions are fixed-term for 4 years. The salary and benefits are set according to the German salary scale TV-L E13 (50%). In case of equal quality of applicants, those with disabilities will be preferred. The University of Tuebingen aims to increase the representation of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages female scientists to apply.
Please send your application by email as one single pdf-file including 1) a letter of motivation, 2) CV, 3) name and email of at least two references who could be contacted, 4) short description of current and future research interests 5) a 1-page summary of your MSc project or undergraduate work and research experience to katja.heubel(at)helsinki.fi.
Review of applications will start from 15 April 2011 onwards, but candidates will be considered until the positions are filled. Start date: 1 August 2011 or on appointment. For more information, feel free to contact me!
Dr. Katja Heubel
Advanced Fellow – VolkswagenStiftung,
University Lecturer,
Department of Biosciences,
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
University of Helsinki, Finland.
After 1.8.2011:
University of Tuebingen,
Department of Biology,
Institute for Evolution and Ecology,
Animal Evolutionary Ecology,
Auf der Morgenstelle 28
D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
links:
http://www.evoeco.uni-tuebingen.de
http://www.eve.uni-tuebingen.de
http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/funding/challenges/evolutionary-biology.html?L=1
http://luoto.tvarminne.helsinki.fi/english/index.htm
http://www.eseb2011.de/tuebingen.htm
http://www.helsinki.fi/people/katja.heubel/
Dr. Katja Heubel, Docent
University Lecturer
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Department of Biosciences,
PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1),
FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, FINLAND
phone +358 9 191 57806
fax -57694
office location: Biokeskus 3, room 6403
email: katja.heubel@helsinki.fi
http://www.helsinki.fi/people/katja.heubel/