Jobs

Ph.D. positions in Evolution and Ecology

Five Ph.D. positions are available at the University of Tübingen within a multidisciplinary graduate school coordinated by the interdepartmental Evolution and Ecology Forum Tübingen (http://www.eve.uni-tuebingen.de/). The positions are available for an initial period of two years, starting between October 1st, 2010 and March 1st, 2011. A third year will be granted after an evaluation of the progress made in the first two years.

The programme is entitled 'Morphological variability of organisms under environmental stress' and bridges between disciplines and across spatial and temporal scales. The overarching question deals with the evolution and ecological consequences of morphological variability under environmental stress, with special emphasis on the symmetry of organisms. The project includes also a coordinated teaching programme.

The focus of the five subprojects is as follows:

1) Morphological variability and symmetry of foraminiferal shells in response to rapid environmental change
Contact: Prof. Dr. Michal Kučera; Micropaleontology; Dept. of Geosciences
mail

2) Systematic deviation from bilateral symmetry in modern and fossil
clypeasteroid sea urchins
Contact: Prof. Dr. James Nebelsick; Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleoclimatology; Dept. of Geosciences
mail

3) Morphological variability and symmetry in plants in response to subtle and steep environmental gradients
Contact: Prof. Dr. Katja Tielbörger; Plant Ecology; Dept. of Biology
mail

4) The role of stress proteins in determining morphological variability in snails under temperature stress
Contact: Prof. Dr. Heinz-R. Köhler; Animal Ecophysiology; Dept. of Biology
mail

5) Molecular analysis of factors determining fluctuating asymmetry in flowers
Contact: Prof. Dr. Klaus Harter; Plant Physiology; Dept. of Biology
mail

Questions regarding the specific subprojects should be addressed to the respective contact person.

Candidates should hold a Diploma or M.Sc. Degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Gecosciences). Candidates should send the following documents via Email to the respective contact person for each project (see above) by September 15, 2010 (project 2 only) and October 15, 2010 (other projects):

1) Statement of interest; 2) Curriculum Vitae; 3) Name & address (email) of two references