01/12/2021
Student ( position) study the eco-evolutionary effects of parasite virulence on stickleback and their indirect effects in communities and ecosystems.
The Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity at the University of
M�nster, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a
Student ( position)
(salary level TV-L E 13)
for the externally funded project SFB/TRR 212 at the earliest possible
date. We are offering a fixed-term position (65%) for 3 years.
Your tasks:
The position is part of the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB/TRR 212)
entitled: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology
and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3),
as granted by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
This PhD project deals with the ecological and evolutionary effects of
parasite virulence. In this project, you will investigate the niche
construction effects of a trophically transmitted tapeworm parasite
(Schistocephalus solidus) on individual three-spined stickleback fish. The
project aims to show how these effects cascade from the individual to
the ecosystem level and alter eco-evolutionary dynamics. The successful
candidate will be involved in mesocosm experiments to investigate how
parasite virulence affects individual trophic specialisation of the
hosts. We also aim to identify the physiological and metabolic traits
associated with these individual differences. The successful candidate
will further take advantage of transcriptomic datasets to identify the
immuno-physiological traits associated with host niche individualisation,
and contribute to the development of computational models that will
bridge the gap between individual, population, and community processes.
Our expectations:
Applicants should be highly motivated scientists of any nationality,
who are interested in interdisciplinary work. They should have the
equivalent of a master degree in biology, preferentially with a focus on
evolution and ecology, or related fields. A background, and ideally some
experience, in any of the following areas will be useful: fish handling
and care, limnology, molecular skills, individual-based models, as well
as a good understanding of statistics. Applicants should have excellent
communication skills and be able to work both independently and as part
of a multidisciplinary team. The working language of the Institute and
the lab is English, and good proficiency in spoken and written English
is a requirement.
Advantages for you:
The University of M�nster is a large vibrant university hosting a number
of excellent scientific institutions (http://www.uni-muenster.de/en/). The
Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity provides a stimulating
research environment with a number of scientific groups researching
diverse topics centred on different aspects of evolution. The
successful candidate will join the team of Professor Joachim
Kurtz, focussing on host-parasite coevolution and ecological
immunology. As a part of the Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TRR 212
(https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/verbuende/sfb_nc3/),
the project will involve intensive collaboration with consortium partners
at the Universities of M�nster and Bielefeld. The town of M�nster itself
has many students and presents a dynamic environment with many cultural
and social events throughout the year (http://www.muenster.de/en/).
The University of M�nster is an equal opportunity employer and is
committed to increasing the proportion of women academics. Consequently,
we actively encourage applications by women. Female candidates with
equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially
considered within the framework of the legal possibilities.
The University of M�nster is committed to employing more staff with
disabilities. Candidates with recognised severe disabilities who have
equivalent qualifications are given preference in hiring decisions.
Are you interested?
Then we look forward to receiving your application, written in English,
in one single pdf file by 15 December 2021 at Dr. Jaime Anaya-Rojas
([email protected]). Please note that we cannot consider
other file formats. Applications should include 1) a cover letter with
a statement of research interests and motivation (max. 1 page), 2)
a CV including details about university degrees, research experience
and publications, and 3) contact details of at least two referees.
"Kurtz, Joachim"
Münster is a multi-faceted city. It is a city of science and learning, the City of Westphalian Peace, the capital city of bicycles and Germany’s Climate Protection Capital. Westphalia’s longstanding regional capital is a young city, not least thanks to its 50,000 students.
