PhD position in marine molecular evolutionary biology, Ruhr-University

Bochum & Bavarian State Collection Munich.

 Topic: "Speciation and adaptation in Southern Ocean sea spiders"

 The Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity at Ruhr

University Bochum (working group Dr. Florian Leese) in collaboration with

the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (working group Prof. Dr. Roland

Melzer) offers 1 PhD position (67% TvL E13) in the field of marine

molecular evolutionary biology.

The candidate will work in the project "Speciation and adaptation

in Antarctic sea spiders" as part of the DFG Priority Programme 1158

("Antarctic Research", www.spp-antarktisforschung.de/). The project

seeks to extend our knowledge of speciation in the Southern Ocean

benthos. In the past years, population genetic studies have shown that

many species have radiated in the Antarctic probably in ice-free refugia

on the Antarctic shelf during the last glacial maxima. In the studies,

speciation is often seen as a result of random genetic drift / lineage

sorting in geographic isolation (allopatric speciation). The importance of

selection in this context has been largely neglected. In the project, we

apply next-generation sequencing techniques to study patterns of genetic

variation in the genomes/transcriptomes of two "cryptic" Antarctic sea

spider flocks (Colossendeis megalonyx and Pallenopsis patagonica) inside

and outside the Antarctic to compare neutral and non-neutral variation in

the species groups. In addition, modern morphological techniques will be

used to screen for adaptive morphological traits in co-existing species

on the shelf.

The candidate will be based primarily in Bochum but will also conduct

analyses at the Bavarian State Collection in Munich as well as in the

labs of international collaboration partners.

Applicants should hold a degree (M.Sc, Diploma) in a relevant field (e.g.,

Biology, Ecology, Biodiversity, Marine Biology, Molecular Genetics). We

expect a solid knowledge of population genetic and molecular evolutionary

concepts. The candidate should have acquired expertise in the preparation

of next-generation sequencing libraries (e.g. transcriptome, genome,

RAD) and respective bioinformatic analyses. Knowledge of sea spiders

(Pycnogonida) as well as of morphological and morphometric analysis

techniques will be of advantage. She/he is fluent in English language,

very motivated and able to work independently in different working groups.

Please contact Dr. Florian Leese (
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information.

Applications should be send as a single pdf file not later than the 26th

of September 2014 to 
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 . They should include a letter

of motivation, a complete curriculum vitae with university certificates

as well as names and contact details of two academic referees. Candidates

will be invited for interviews by the end of September 2014 and interviews

for the position will take place in the second week of October 2014. The

candidate should start on December 1st in Bochum.

Ruhr University Bochum is committed to promoting the careers of women

and therefore actively welcomes applications from female candidates. As

an equal opportunities employer, we also encourage applications from

suitably qualified disabled candidates and other groups.