SCIENCE-JOBS-DE

PhD position (Geosciences) (Frankfurt am Main)

“Senckenberg  Gesellschaft  für  Naturforschung” has an international reputation in all fields of Natural History research. It runs six research institutes and two museums in Germany and is also custodian of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Messel.
The Department “Palaeoanthropology and Messel Research” of the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt invites applications for a
PhD position (Geosciences) in
“Pattern of element loss in the autopodial and axial skeleton of extant and fossil mammals” (55%)
This position is part of the joint research project “Forward Genomics”, which aims at identifying the genomic causes of phenotypic differences between placental mammals. This project is funded by the Leibniz Association (Leibniz Competition).
Your tasks:
The successful applicant will be working in the Module 1 “Phenotyping skeletal traits” that focusses on systematically exploring phenotypic traits of mammals and provide the other modules with solid, calibrated, and evolutionary as well as developmentally understood characters in a practical way (e.g., establishing morpho-matrices). He/she will investigate the evolutionary patterns of vertebral formula and autopodial skeleton: analysis of the thoracolumbar vertebral formula in key-fossil mammals (e.g. from Messel), study on the evolution and variation of sacral and caudal vertebrae count in fossil and extant taxa, analysis of the loss/fusion of basipodials and fingers using ontogenetic observations.
The project brings together palaeontology and biology with advanced imaging techniques. It provides a unique opportunity to combine anatomical and genetic field studies to bridge the gap between phenotype and genotype. Finally, the results could even find application in the medical field. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with other PhD students (Senckenberg Dresden, Max Plank Institute Dresden) and other members of the research project.
Your profile:
- You hold a Master degree (or equivalent) in Palaeontology, Biology or a related field
- Strong interest in mammal evolution and ontogeny with a background in vertebrate comparative anatomy
- Experience in collection based research on fossil and extant vertebrates, as well as in investigating histological serial sections
- Good knowledge of image processing in particular μCT data and virtual 3D reconstructions (e.g., VG StudioMAX, Amira, Avizo)
- Very good written and oral communication skills in English (knowledge of German is desirable)
- Strong ability to work independently, and interest for interdisciplinary teamwork is highly recommended
Salary and benefits are accordance with a public service position in Germany (TV-H E13, 55%). The contract shall start between October and December 2016 and will be initially limited to a 3-year term. The Senckenberg Research Institute supports equal opportunity of men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply. Equally qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference. The place of employment station will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The employer is the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.
Please submit your application before August 1st, 2016 by e-mail (attachment in a single pdf document), mentioning the reference of this position (Ref. #01-16027) and including a letter outlining your suitability for the post, a detailed CV including relevant certificates, a 1-page summary of your Master thesis and contact details of 2 potential referees to the address below.
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt am Main
recruiting@senckenberg.de
For scientific enquiries please contact Dr. Thomas Lehmann (thomas.lehmann@senckenberg.de) or PD Dr. Irina Ruf (irina.ruf@senckenberg.de).
Isabell Bast
recruiting@senckenberg.de
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Frankfurt am Main