Vacancies
Vacancies
Here you will find details of social insect related job vacancies, studentships and grants currently available. If you have any social insect related vacancies that you would like to have advertised here, please e-mail to INSECTS@bio.ku.dk. All advertisements must include either a closing date for applications, or a date on which they may be removed from the web site. This page was last modified on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Overview of vacancies on this page:
PhD position: Molecular evolution of sex determining genes in social hymenoptera, Cologne, Germany
Graduate/Postgraduate Research Position in Honey Bee Genetics, North Carolina, USA
Lab Technician, Ant Evolution, University of Pennsylvania
PhD Position at ETH Zurich - Parasites of Social Insects
Undergraduate project: Ant morphometrics and evolution, Michigan
Postdoc: Evolving hyperdiversity in phenotypic, ecological, and geographic networks, Michigan
Postdoctoral possibilities, social insect sensory, behavioural and cognitive abilities, Queen Mary, London
Interested in doing postdoctoral work in London, on the evolution and ecology of sensory, behavioural or cognitive abilities of social insects?
Applications currently invited for Marie-Curie postdoctoral fellowships (deadline for full applications to the European Commission: August 16 2012).
Please email your CV asap to Lars Chittka at l.chittka@qmul.ac.uk to discuss possibilities.
Posted 9/5/2012
PhD position: Molecular evolution of sex determining genes in social hymenoptera
University of Cologne, Institute of Genetics
Application deadline: 20 May 2012
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to study the population dynamic and molecular evolution of sex determining genes in social hymenoptera (honey and bumble bees). Understanding the evolutionary forces and processes that have led to the fascinating (single locus) sex determining system in these bees will contribute to elucidate general principles in evolution. Sex determination in the honey bee Apis mellifera is governed by heterozygosity at a single locus harbouring the complementary sex determiner (csd) gene, which arose by gene duplication prior honey bee divergence. Bees heterozygous at csd are females, whereas homozygotes and hemizygotes (haploid individuals) are males. Diploid males occur when csd is homozygous and are lethal in Apis mellifera. Rare alleles thus have a selective advantage, are seldom lost by the effect of genetic drift, and are maintained over extended periods of time when compared with neutral polymorphisms.
The ideal candidate should have a Master´s degree (or equivalent degree) with a strong background in population genetics, including excellent skills in molecular lab work and major interest in bioinformatics. Genome data from several honey and bumble bees will be available for future research projects. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment and excellent research facilities in my recently established independent research group as Heisenberg fellow. Latest publications (PNAS; Nature, PlosBiol) can be found under http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Hasselmann Martin.
The position (TV-L 13 65%) is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for three years.
The University of Cologne is committed to promoting equal-opportunity in employment. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. In case of equal qualification and aptitude, dis-abled persons will be given priority.
Applicants should send a cover letter, C.V., list of publications, a statement outlining past research experience and particular motivation for the position (max. 2 pages), and contact details of 2-3 referees to martin.hasselmann@uni-duesseldorf.de. Please contact me for any further questions and send in your application as a single pdf by 20 May 2012 latest. Interviews will start in June. The candidate should start working by mid of 2012.
PD Dr. Martin Hasselmann
University of Cologne
Institute of Genetics
Zülpicher Straße 47a, 4th floor
D-50647 Köln
Germany
Posted 9/5/2012
Graduate/Postgraduate Research Position in Honey Bee Genetics, North Carolina, USA
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) & University of North Carolina (Greensboro, NC)
We are looking for one individual to join our collaborative research team on an established project to study the genetics of honey bee stress resistance, life-history, and lifespan. The team involves Dr. Olav Rueppell (UNC-Greensboro), Dr. David Tarpy (NC State), Dr. Mike Simone-Finstroem, and Dr. Micheline Strand (ARO, Research Triangle Park). We will consider applications for graduate students (PhD level) or postdoctoral researchers.
The project will continue to address genetic and environmental variation in stress resistance and its relation to honey bee health, life history, and life expectancy. The applicant should have molecular research experience, be willing to travel, and be comfortable working with live honey bees. The project is funded for 3 additional years, and salary will depend on qualifications.
Please send inquiries and applications until the 1st of June 2012 to olav_rueppell@uncg.edu. Applications should be electronic and contain a CV, contact information of three professional references, and a short (<1 page) description of why you are interested in joining our team.
Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.
Dr. David Tarpy david_tarpy@ncsu.edu, +1.919.515.1660
Posted 9/5/2012
Lab Technician, Ant Evolution, University of Pennsylvania
A full-time Research Lab Technician position is available in the Linksvayer lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. The research focus is on the evolution and genetic basis of complex social systems, using tiny ants as a model system. A variety of approaches are used, including behavioral observations, functional genomics, and evolutionary genetics.The position involves caring for ant stocks as well as basic lab organization, maintenance, and administration. Furthermore, the position involves assisting with a range of experiments, including manipulating tiny ants, basic molecular genetics, and measuring ant phenotypes.
The successful candidate will have a BA/BS in Biology or a related field, a strong work ethic, positive attitude, excellent communication and organizational skills, some experience with basic molecular biology techniques, and the desire to learn new skills. Experience working with insects is preferred but not required.
Applicants must apply directly through Penn's job posting website, http://www.hr.upenn.edu/jobs/. Search for the staff position with the reference number 120432589 and apply to the posting through the website. Alternatively, go straight to http://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=195483
Please contact me directly (tlinks@sas.upenn.edu) with any questions.
Tim Linksvayer
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania
225 Leidy Laboratories, 433 South University Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19104-6018
tlinks@sas.upenn.edu
phone +1 215 573 2657
http://www.bio.upenn.edu/faculty/linksvayer/
Posted 9/5/2012
PhD Position at ETH Zurich - Parasites of Social Insects
The Institute of Integrative Biology at ETH Zurich - Experimental Ecology Group – is offering a PhD position "Trypanosome parasitism: ecology and evolutionary dynamics"
The project is flexible but a first aim is to use current methods study the genetic epidemiology and effect of host defences. Our study system involves Bombus spp. on the host side and the trypanosome, Crithidia, as the infectious disease. We seek to understand some principles that govern the dynamics and adaptive processes in this model host-parasite system. The anticipated project is part of an ERC Advanced Grant on alternative host resistance systems and the population structure of parasites. We look for candidates that are interested in challenging ecological and evolutionary questions and who are willing to explore new methodical tools for this purpose. A successful candidate may have some experience, for example, in molecular or population genetics, the use of gene data banks, or be familiar with the analysis of adaptation. The project will be embedded in a small, active research group with long-term experience of the system.
Starting date is negotiable, but ideally no later than autumn 2012. Please send applications (CV, Publication list, Names and emails of referees) by email to Prof. Paul Schmid-Hempel (psh@env.ethz.ch), ETH Zurich, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH-Zentrum CHN, CH- 8092 Zurich (review of application starts 15 April 2012 until filled). Further information on ETH, the group, or life in Zurich can, for example, be obtained from www.eco.ethz.ch.
Paul Schmid-Hempel
ETH Zurich
Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ)
(Experimental Ecology)
ETH-Zentrum CHN K11
Universitätsstrasse 16
CH-8092 Zurich
Posted 12/3/2012
Undergraduate project: Ant morphometrics and evolution, Michigan
REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates): Ant morphometrics and evolution (University of Michigan)
We are looking for a student to work on the analysis of ant morphology evolution in a phylogenetic context. The broader project is investigating the joint evolution of ant biodiversity in morphological, ecological, and geographic space. The summer student project will focus on 3-D imaging and quantification of ant morphology, and analyzing these data with project collaborators to test theories for how morphology evolves in space and time. In addition, there are opportunities to work with computer scientists in the engineering school on artificial intelligence and computer vision applications to biodiversity analysis.
To apply, send a CV, a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, and have two references submit letters of recommendation directly by email. All materials and enquiries can be sent to pheidole.reu@gmail.com. The position is at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Evan P. Economo
Michigan Society of Fellows
Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of Michigan
Posted 24/2/2012
A postdoctoral position is available to work on the NSF-funded project, "Evolving hyperdiversity in phenotypic, ecological, and geographic networks: testing the taxon cycle and alternatives in Indo-Pacific Pheidole" (PIs: Evan Economo, Lacey Knowles). Using the ant genus Pheidole as a model system, the primary goal of the project is to understand the deterministic and stochastic components of evolutionary transitions through geographic, phenotypic, and ecological networks and consequences for the assembly of island and continental faunas.
For this position we are looking for researchers with expertise developing and using computational techniques to infer evolutionary and biogeographic processes by integrating phylogenetic and other data types. Previous experience with ant biology is not required.
The position is based primarily at the University of Michigan, and the researcher will have an opportunity to spend considerable time at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan (www.oist.jp). The start date is flexible, and duration would be one year with the possibility of extending for an additional year based on satisfactory progress.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter briefly explaining your background and interest in the position to pheidole.project@gmail.com. Informal questions for the PIs are also welcome (evaneconomo@gmail.com, knowlesl@umich.edu).
Posted 24/2/2012
Vacancies will be advertised on this page until the closing date for applications, or, where no firm closing date is given, for a maximum of 3 months. If a position has been filled in the meantime, please let the webmaster know.
This site is maintained and promoted on the Internet by David Nash email to: DRNash @ bio.ku.dk
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