Job announcement
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Dep. of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Zoological Institute, Universitaet zu Kiel

application deadline: 05.03.2010
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Topic: Natural ecology and evolution of the nematode C. elegans

The PhD project aims at a characterization of the ecology of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This nematode is one of the best studied organisms under laboratory conditions; yet we still lack understanding of the conditions under which it lives in nature. Such information is essential for full understanding of the biology of this organism, including the exact function of its generally well characterized genes. The project is part of the European ESF Eurocores initiative on Ecological and Evolutionary Functional Genomics and it involves direct collaboration with research groups in The Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

This specific PhD position (payment through the DFG according to 13 TV-L/2) will be based in the recently founded Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics at the University of Kiel (Northern Germany), headed by Prof. Dr. Hinrich Schulenburg. The department itself provides an international and interactive atmosphere, while Kiel University and connected institutes (e.g., Max Planck Institute in Ploen) offer a stimulating research environment with a particular focus on evolutionary biology and also C. elegans genetics. The city of Kiel is a medium-sized pleasant town located at the coast of the Baltic Sea. It is the capital of the most Northern state of Germany, Schleswig-Holstein. It offers many opportunities for leisure activities, including theatres, an opera, the Schleswig-Holstein classical music festival, the heavy metal festival in Wacken, sailing, surfing, cycling, and the famous festivities of the "Kieler Woche" - one of the largest sailing events in Europe.

Requirements for the position: Master or Diploma in Biology, high motivation, excellent background in ecology and/or evolutionary biology, good knowledge of statistics, handling of complex experimental set-up, teamwork, ideally some experience with C. elegans or bacteria, fluency in English.

Please send applications with CV, one-page statement of research interests, and the names and addresses of two referees as a single pdf-file by email to hschulenburg<at>zoologie.unikiel. de.

Deadline for applications: 5th March 2010. Start of position: May 2010 or soon afterwards. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Severely handicapped people will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualifications. For further details + questions, send an email to

hschulenburg<at>zoologie.unikiel. de.

Otherwise see:
http://www.uni-kiel.de/zoologie/evoecogen/