Paleonet: 2010 Analytical Paleobiology Training Workshop

[John Alroy]

Applications are invited to participate in the analytical  
paleobiology workshop's 2010 edition.

About the workshop

Since 2005 the Paleobiology Database has conducted a five-week  
intensive training workshop in analytical methods. In 2010 the  
workshop will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney. It will  
begin on 7 July, following the Third International Paleontological  
Congress, and continue through 10 August. It will be supported  
primarily by the Paleontological Society and NESCent.

Topics will include biochronology, community paleoecology, diversity  
curves, speciation and extinction, phylogenetics, phenotypic  
evolution, and morphometrics. Both simulation modelling and data  
analysis methods will be employed. Training will combine lectures and  
labs. Participants will be given hands-on instruction in programming  
using R and taught to use other analytical software. In addition to  
the workshop coordinator, each week a new instructor will be present.  
The instructors are expected to be John Alroy, Gene Hunt, Tom  
Olszewski, David Polly, and Pete Wagner.

There is no fee for registration, and participants will be housed for  
free in accommodations off campus. Participants are encouraged to  
solicit travel funds from their home institutions or other  
organizations. If such funds are not available, a significant  
fraction of airfare costs will be reimbursed. Participants are  
responsible for meal costs. There are no other charges of any kind,  
and no other major expenses are likely.

How to apply

Participants should be in the early stages of their own research in  
any area related to paleontology. They should have a background in  
basic statistics, and the ability to understand rapidly spoken  
English is essential. The workshop is open to all undergraduates and  
advanced graduate students, but first or second year graduate  
students are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from  
professionals who have completed their studies will be considered. We  
strongly encourage applications from women and members of  
underrepresented groups.

Applications should be submitted in PDF format to John Alroy  
(alroy at nceas.ucsb.edu). The review process will begin on Monday, 15  
February 2010, and applications received by midnight Pacific time at  
the end of that day will receive priority. Applications should  
consist of a one page statement. Do not include separate documents  
such as a curriculum vitae. No form needs to be filled out.

The statement should include a brief description of current research  
plans, a list of degrees earned stating the year of graduation in  
each case, a brief list of relevant classes taken, and an account of  
the applicant's previous use of statistics and knowledge of  
programming. Applicants who do not employ English as a primary  
language should describe their experiences learning and speaking it.  
Applicants are encouraged to explain why the topics addressed by the  
workshop are of special interest to them, and which of these subjects  
are taught at their home institutions.

Applications must be accompanied by a recommendation letter, also in  
PDF format, written by the applicant's academic advisor and e-mailed  
separately. Obtaining a recommendation from anyone who is not an  
advisor must be explained. It is important that the recommendation  
give details about the applicant's personal character and abilities,  
not just credentials and descriptions of research projects.  
Recommendation letters also should be received by the end of the due  
date.

John Alroy

The Paleobiology Database
National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
University of California, Santa Barbara
735 State Street, Suite 300
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3351
e-mail: alroy at nceas.ucsb.edu

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