Postdoctoral Researchers – Genetic variation of model taxa of crustaceans and their associated (micro)parasites and Macro ecological patterns in space and time.

Postdoctoral Researcher – Genetic variation of model taxa of crustaceans and their associated (micro)parasites:

Postdoctoral position is available at the Department of Ecology on evolutionary biology of freshwater crustaceans. The ideal candidate for this position has strong background in animal ecology and evolutionary biology (an experience with host-parasite interactions is a plus), has experience with various DNA laboratory methods and analysis of resulting data, and is willing to learn new methods and contribute to both field- and labwork.

The research group is particularly interested on diversity, evolution, and ecology of two important crustacean taxa – cladocerans (mainly Daphnia) and freshwater crayfish. Furthermore, we are involved in studies on interactions of these crustaceans, as hosts, with certain microparasites (in particular, an oomycete Aphanomyces astaci causing crayfish plague, and microsporidians infecting Daphnia).

The postdoc should contribute to these research questions by genetic analyses of populations of selected crustacean species complexes. Topics under study will include (i) spatial distribution of evolutionary lineages and phylogroups, (ii) patterns resulting from interspecific hybridisation (or reproductive isolation) between coexisting closely related lineages, (iii) impacts of parasitism on genetic variation of host populations, (iv) DNA-based detection of parasite infection and quantification of parasite load, and (v) analysis of parasite diversity. Different molecular approaches are likely to be used, such as standard sequencing, microsatellite analyses, real-time PCR, and AFLP.

Position is already occupied

Postdoctoral Researcher – Macro ecological patterns in space and time:

Postdoctoral position is available at the Department of Ecology on macro ecology and evolutionary biology. The ideal candidate for this position has strong background in macro ecology, community ecology and evolution, has experience with phylogenetic methods and spatial statistics, and is willing to learn new methods. Skills in programming and SQL scripts are competitive advantage.

The research group is particularly interested on macro ecological patterns in space and time, species richness spatial distribution, life histories, and taxonomical decomposition of all the focal patterns.

The postdoc should contribute to these research questions by employing modern statistical methods, and spatial and taxonomical modeling focusing on topics such as spatial distribution of evolutionary lineages, ecological guilds and phylogroups. The postdoc is expected to analyze patterns in distribution and diversity of various taxa at multiple spatial scales, and reveal evolutionary and ecological processes responsible for these patterns. Different statistical approaches and computer based, step-by-step models are likely to be used.

Position is already occupied