Paleonet: PhD position in Historical geology and Palaeontology, Uppsala University

[Norman MacLeod]

This just in.
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Uppsala University hereby declares the following position to be open for
application:

PhD position in Historical geology and Palaeontology, Marine phytoplankton
evolution and climate change at the Department of Earth Sciences.

Starting date: 15 September 2010 or as agreed upon.

Unicellular phytoplankton form the base of the marine food chain and play
fundamental roles in biogeochemical cycles on Earth. There is growing
concern that climate change will disrupt algal productivity and
calcification due to rising ocean temperatures and lowering of ocean pH
(Œocean acidification¹). However, very little is known about the mechanisms
and rates of climatic adaptation by phytoplankton.

The PhD student will participate in a project, which is a collaboration
between Dr Jorijntje Henderiks (Uppsala University) and colleagues at the
Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (University of Oslo). We
want to understand why different species within a prominent group of marine
calcifying algae (the coccolithophores) respond differently to environmental
change, and what environmental factor acts as the main influence on algal
evolution. This research aims to bridge the gap between short-term
experimental observations of living marine algae, and long-term patterns of
phenotypic (i.e., size, shape) variability observed in the fossil record.
The PhD candidate will collect fossil time series data of phenotypic
evolution in key lineages using geological samples from various ocean
drilling sites. The microfossil data will be paired with reconstructions of
past oceanographic and climatic change using geochemical proxy methods. The
project offers training in cross-disciplinary research between the fields of
geology and biology. Analytical techniques will include (automated) biometry
and time series analysis. The fossil analyses will be integrated with
parallel­running subprojects that focus on culture experiments and
evolutionary modeling.

The applicant must have a university degree with a strong component of
geology and/or biology, with keen interests in (micro)paleontology, marine
geology/biology, evolutionary biology, and/or ecology. Experience in
biometry and statistical methods as well as knowledge of marine
microfossils/phytoplankton are welcomed. Good communication skills and
ability to work in a team are essential.

The holder of a PhD-student position shall primarily devote her/his time to
own research studies. Other departmental work, such as educational or
administrative can be part of the position (max 20%).The applicant must be
eligible for PhD studies. Priority is given to those who are deemed to show
the greatest aptitude for a successful completion of graduate studies.
The rules governing this process can be found in Higher Education Ordinance
(Högskoleförordningen) 5 kap §§ 1-7. Local guidelines at Uppsala University
determine the salary.

The application shall consist of CV, copies of exams and list of courses
including the grades obtained, a copy of the Master thesis (or a draft
thereof), as well as names of two persons that can be used as reference.
More information can be obtained from

Dr. Jorijntje Henderiks,
tel. +46-18-471 23 16
jorijntje.henderiks at geo.uu.se.

Union representatives are

Anders Grundström, Saco-rådet
tel +46-18-471 53 80

Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST,
tel +4618-471 19 96,

Stefan Djurström, Seko
tel +46-18-471 33 15

The application should be sent, preferably by e-mail to: registrator at uu.se,
or by fax +46-18-471 20 00, or by mail to:

Registrator, Uppsala University
Box 256
751 05 UPPSALA
Sweden. 

In any correspondence, please use the reference number UFV-PA 2010/966.
Application deadline on 31 May, 2010.

___________________________________________________________________

Prof. Norman MacLeod
Keeper of Palaeontology
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD


(0)207 942-5204 (Office)
(0)207 942-5546 (Fax)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/paleonet/MacLeod/ (Web Page)

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