Postdoc in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses- University of Sheffield

The Department of Animal & Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, UK has a new Postdoctoral Research Position in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses. This position is funded by a NERC Standard Grant ‘Excavating the roots of the tree of life: revealing a billion year record for the euglenids’ lead by Professor Charles Wellman. The project involves a study of the fossil record of the protist group euglenids that occupy a critical phylogenetic position at the base of the eukaryotes. The PDRA role is to take these fossil data and link them to characters of living euglenids (morphological and molecular) in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses of the euglenids and eukaryotes in general. This will shed light on the nature and timing of the primary adaptive radiation of the eukaryotes.

The project involves an extensive research team of academics from the UK and overseas, including: Professor Brian Leander (an expert on extant euglenids) and Dr Pascal-Antoine Christin (an expert in phylogenetic methods and trait evolution). The PDRA will work closely with the above academics in; (i) developing a database of euglenid characters (notably pellicle wall characters) and incorporating this into phylogenetic analyses; (ii) developing a database of eukaryote first appearances in the fossil record and incorporating this into molecular clock analyses of eukaryote diversification.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONYou should provide evidence in your application that you meet the following criteria:-
- Have a Ph.D. in a relevant subject area.
- Proven experience in research on advanced methods of phylogenetic analyses and trait evolution.
- Proven experience in research on advanced methods of molecular clock analyses (including the implementation of fossil calibrations).

JOB DESCRIPTION
This is a one-year fixed term postdoctoral position to work under the direction of Professor Charles Wellman on a NERC Standard grant ‘Excavating the roots of the tree of life: revealing a billion year record for the euglenids’. The PDRA will work in collaboration with a team of academics and be responsible for:-
- Creating a database of euglenid pellicle characters for extant and fossil forms. The former will be derived from Project Partner Leander’s published and unpublished material. The latter will be derived from wall ultrastructure work on newly discovered fossils recently conducted by team members Wellman, Strother and Taylor.
- Incorporating the above database into phylogenetic analyses of the euglenids. This will involve manipulation of previous analyses based on morphological and molecular characters.
- Analysing the results from above in the context of trait evolution of characters of the highly complex euglenid pellicle.
- Creating a database of first appearances in the fossil record of the main eukaryote groups.
- Incorporating the above database into molecular clock analyses of the eukaryotes in order to shed light on their primary adaptive radiation and the integral position of the euglenids.
- Collaborating with the project team to write and publish the results of the above.

You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. 

Reward packageTerms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 7 staff.
Salary for this grade: £31,302 - £32,236 per annum.
This post is fixed-term for 12 months with a start date between 1/10/2019 - 1/11/2019.

Application
For more information on our application and recruitment processes visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/info

Informal enquiriesFor informal enquiries about this job and the recruiting department, contact: Professor Charles Wellman on c.wellman@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 3689. For administration queries and details on the application process, contact the lead recruiter: Maddie Couzner on m.couzner@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 4773. For all online application system queries and support, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/applying

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Macroecology (Oxford, UK)

A position is available within the invertebrate palaeontology group that is led by Dr Erin Saupe. The post is funded by a Leverhulme Foundation grant awarded to Dr Saupe, and will conducted in coordination with Professor Wolfgang Kiessling (FAU, Germany) and Professor Martin Aberhan (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin). The Postdoctoral Research Assistant will focus on quantitative tests on the evolution of species’ tolerances in the fossil record. They will also assemble and vet spatial and temporal occurrence datasets from online occurrence compendia, manipulate global climate model data and communicate research results with other members of the team.

The successful applicant will hold (or be very close to completion of) a PhD relating to paleontology, evolutionary biology, macroevolution, ecology or a cognate discipline and a track record of research publication in international, peer-reviewed journals. They will also have experience in computer programming, evidence of analytical skills required to carry out specified research activities, and evidence of innovation and insightful thinking in the areas of macroecology and/or macroevolution. The applicant will have an option to engage in teaching. This may include lectures and small-group teaching of undergraduates and graduate students. There is also scope for the PDRA to supervise Masters projects.

To apply, please visit the Oxford Recruiting Website. The deadline for applications is 12.00 midday on Friday 23 November 2018. Interviews will be held in early December 2018. For further details about this role, please see the job description. For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Erin Saupe (erin.saupe@earth.ox.ac.uk).

Curator at NHM London

This is an opportunity to take up a collections leadership role in a world-renowned institution with a unique scientific mission and public profile.

The successful applicants will join a large science group that comprises a group of approximately 300 scientists, that houses some of the largest and most significant scientific collections in the world, that is home to an internationally important natural history library, that includes a suite of advanced analytical and imaging facilities, and that has the opportunity to communicate science to a huge national and international audience.

Applications are open to collections-based scientists across the breadth of the NHM's activities in Life Sciences to take up newly developed roles as Principal Curator in Charge (PCiC), in each of 3 of the following Life Science Divisions: Insects, Invertebrates, and Vertebrates; a PCiC position has been filled already in the Division of Algae, Fungi & Plants. We are especially interested in applicants who combine disciplinary expertise with a demonstrated ability to use that expertise to lead access to and development of collections.

Salary: 43,350 (GBP) per annum plus benefits
Contract: Permanent role as Band 3 Principal Curator; 5 year rolling appointments as PCiC
Closing date: 9am, Monday 17 October 2016

______________________________

Professor Norman MacLeod
The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
(0)207 942-5204 (Office Landline)
(0)785 017-1787 (Mobile)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/paleonet/MacLeod/

Associate Professorship of Palaeobiology: Oxford, UK

The University of Oxford seeks to appoint an Associate Professor in Palaeobiology from 1 September 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will work at the Department of Earth Sciences and will hold a Tutorial Fellowship at St Hugh’s College. The appointment will be initially for 5 years at which point, upon completion of a successful review, the postholder will be eligible for reappointment to the retiring age.

We welcome applications from scientists working in the broad area of palaeobiology whose research expertise complements existing strengths in the department and within departments and museums elsewhere in the University of Oxford. The successful candidate will be carrying out research within the broad range of disciplines related to palaeobiology and the fossil record, including research using modern biological approaches to study of the past. The successful candidate will have a doctorate in the field of palaeobiology, palaeontology, or a related subject, and evidence of substantial research accomplishment and potential in the field of palaeobiology or related areas. The main duties of the post are to carry out research at an international level, to secure research funding, to teach, supervise and examine undergraduate and postgraduate students, and to participate in and contribute to the administration of the department. The appointee will be a Fellow of St Hugh’s College and will have responsibility for the teaching of earth sciences within the college, including relevant administrative work and undergraduate admissions.

For further information,  can be found here. Applications should be addressed to the Department HR Manager, Emma Smith (emma.smith@earth.ox.ac.uk). Enquiries about the post should be addressed to the Head of Department, Professor Gideon Henderson (email: gideon.henderson@earth.ox.ac.uk or tel: 01865 282123).

The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday on Monday 4 April 2016. Interviews will be held on 26 April 2016 in Oxford.