Greifswald: PhD in Vibrational Communication in Mantophasmatodea Tisk

Application deadline: 26.07.2015

A PhD position (65% TV-L E13, 3 year contract) is available at the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald, in the group of Dr. Monika Eberhard /Prof. Gabriele Uhl, Zoological Institute and Museum, General and Systematic Zoology. The successful candidate will join the DFG-funded research projectVibrational Communication Signals in Mantophasmatodea: Species Recognition, Sexual Selection, and Population Differentiation.

We will investigate the vibrational signals of species that occur in several populations at different localities in the Western Cape Region, South Africa, a biodiversity hotspot. Behavioural experiments will be conducted to assess the decisive cues within vibrational communication calls, which are used for species recognition. We will explore if character displacement occurs at sites where two or more species occur in sympatry, and investigate the influence of sexual selection on vibrational signal evolution. Field studies (in cooperation with University of Cape Town) will allow for optimized seminatural laboratory setups. Finally, variability of vibrational calls and morphological characters, as well as genetic diversity using microsatellite markers will be investigated in populations of the same species to reveal the present state of population differentiation of Mantophasmatodea in the Western Cape. This will provide insight into the role vibrational communication might play for population differentiation and speciation in Mantophasmatodea. The highly motivated candidate will use genetic analyses (microsatellites, sequencing), morphological methods (light microscopy, SEM, microCT), and behavioural trials (video, laser-doppler-vibrometry). Strong background in at least one of these skills would be advantageous.Requirements:

  • M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in Zoology, Ecology, Behavioural or Evolutionary Biology
  • Strong background in Evolutionary Biology
  • Practical experience in at least two of the following areas: DNA-analysis (microsatellites, sequencing), behavioural studies (field and laboratory; preferably with invertebrates), Ecology (population dynamics), morphology (SEM, micro-CT)
  • Very good English skills (written and spoken) 
  • Willingness to stay in South Africa for longer time periods (ca. 6 weeks per year)
  • Experience in analysis programs for the required data-sets and statistics are an advantage
  • The position is available from October 2015. 

For more information please contact Monika Eberhard and send your application (letter of motivation, CV, and summary of last final thesis; preferably in one PDF) with the reference number 15/Ma13 via email to

Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald

Zoologisches Institut und Museum

Dr. Monika Eberhard

J.-S.-Bachstraße 11-12

17489 Greifswald

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