PhD
Position in Evolutionary Ecology, Gießen, Germany:
Topic: External immune Defence in the Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum
The aim of this PhD project is to use a manipulative approach to understand the relative importance of internal and external immune defences in the model organism Tribolium castaneum. This beetle and their sister-species expresses external defences in the form of secreted antimicrobial substances as well as internal, "classical" immune mechanisms. The relative advantages and disadvantages of these two types of defences are as yet unclear. They shall be evaluated with the help of selection lines, controlled lab experiments and molecular approaches such as transcriptome analyses.
The project is part of the German Science Foundation, Priority Program 1399 "Host-Parasite Coevolution" with a grant to Dr. Gerrit Joop.
This specific PhD position (payment according to 13 TV-H, 65%) under supervision of Dr. Gerrit Joop will be based in the Department Applied Entomology, Institute for Phytopathology and Applied Zoology at the University of Gießen (Hessen, Germany), headed by Prof. Dr. Andreas Vilcinskas. The department itself provides an international and interactive atmosphere, while the University of Gießen and connected institutes (e.g., Fraunhofer Project Group) offer a stimulating research environment with a particular focus on entomology, evolutionary biology, insect biotechnology and genetics.
The city of Gießen is a medium-sized old university town situated in the low mountain range between Vogelsberg, Taunus and Westerwald in the middle of Germany. It offers many opportunities for leisure activities, including theatres and opera, the Gießen summer music festival, hiking, cycling, and canoeing on the river Lahn, which runs through town. Basketball is the sport in town, with the 46ers playing in the German first basketball league. Close by is Germanys financial capital Frankfurt with its international airport.
Requirements for the position: Master or Diploma in Biology; high motivation, excellent background in ecology and/or evolutionary biology; good knowledge of molecular biological methods, population genetics and statistics; handling of complex experimental set-up, teamwork; ideally some experience with T. castaneum, and fluency in English.
Please send applications with CV, one-page statement of research interests, and the names and addresses of two referees as a single pdf-file by email to Gerrit Joop (Gerrit.Joopagrar.uni-giessen.de). Deadline for applications: 7th January 2013. Start of position: February 2013 or soon thereafter.
Women are especially encouraged to apply. Severely handicapped people will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualifications. For further details & questions, send an email to Gerrit Joop (Gerrit.Joopagrar.uni-giessen.de).