PhD position in Experimental Evolutionary Biology

PhD position in Experimental Evolutionary Biology

Application deadline: 25.April 2009

Project description:
Most organisms reproduce sexually, despite high costs associated with
this reproductive mode. In the last decades several theories have been
proposed to resolve this “paradox of sex”. A particularly tough
challenge to such theories are organisms that give rise to obligate
asexual lineages, because such organisms should face the constant danger
of being replaced by their asexual descendants. This project focuses on
obligate asexual lineages within monogonont rotifers.

The PhD project aims at analysing the population level consequences of
obligate asexuality in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. It is mainly
concerned with the speed of adaptation in sexual vs. obligate asexual
populations. The project relies on lab experiments at the individual and
population level. Further techniques used/learned during this project
include: microsatellite analysis, cryopreservation, as well as several
technical skills involved in our automated culture systems, including
computer programming.

The PhD project is embedded into complementary research themes of the
working group, e.g. determining the genetic mechanism of obligate
asexuality, or establishing the prevalence of OA in field populations.
Further information on the lab can be found at
http://www.oeaw.ac.at/limno/personnel/stelzer/stelzer.htm

The project is supervised by Dr. Claus-Peter Stelzer at the Institute
for Limnology in Mondsee (near Salzburg, Austria) and funded by the FWF
for 3 years (Project P20735-B17). Salary is according to the FWF pay
scale (http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze_2008.html).

Applicants should be highly motivated and have a Master’s or diploma
degree in biology, or in a related field. A solid background in
evolutionary biology is essential for this position, and this should be
recognizable by the Masters thesis and/or documented by several courses
during the studies. Experiences in experimental design, statistics and
PCR-based molecular genetic methods are also advantageous, but not
absolutely required.

The Institute for Limnology is located in Mondsee, a small town in the
Salzkammergut lake area. Mondsee is 30 km east of the City of Salzburg,
which is also the location of the nearest university. The Institute has
a staff complement of approximately 25, including 10 research
scientists, who work on various areas in ecophysiology and evolutionary
ecology of aquatic organisms.

Applicants should send a cover letter summarizing their research
background and interest in the position, a CV, and contact information
for two referees