Job announcement
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholm University and Swedish Museum of Natural History, Dep.of Invertebrate Zoology

application deadline: February 15, 2010
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.zoologi.su.se/en

Ref nr 2/10UJ?

Project title: Phylogeny, taxonomy and character evolution in Acoela.

Acoela are marine worms usually about 1 mm in length. Molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that Acoela are the oldest extant bilaterian clade. Consequently, acoels have recently received a lot of attention from biologists studying bilaterian evolution. There are about 380 known species of acoels world-wide, and 56 of these are recorded in Swedish waters. Currently there is no comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for Acoela, and the legacy classification that is in use is problematic. The aims of the project are to reconstruct phylogeny, character evolution and species delimitation within two problematic acoel families. One of the aims is to establish a phylogenetic classification for the studied groups. Acoel anatomy is simple, but also highly variable. Phylogenetic hypotheses generated within the project will be used to study correlations between morphological and molecular evolution within the group. The project will include molecular phylogenetic lab work and analysis of data using phylogenetic methods and bioinformatics. Acoels have no planktonic larvae or other dispersal stages. Their dispersal abilities are therefore likely to be poor. Nevertheless, there are many morphological species that are considered cosmopolitan. Species delimitation in morphological species will be studied using molecular genetics. The project will partly rely on previously collected material, but a significant collection effort is necessary requiring travel to marine field stations. Identification of Acoela requires study of live material under a light microscope.

The working language will be English and Swedish.

Qualifications: To be qualified for research studies in systematic zoology the applicant needs to have passed at least 120 hp of biology studies, including an approved independent project in systematic zoology of at least 30hp at the advanced level. Applicants who have acquired the corresponding competence at another Swedish or foreign university are also qualified.

Criteria for selection: Among qualified applicants, selection is made according to ability to profit from the studies. The criteria to be used are the applicant's documented knowledge in subjects of relevance for the research area, ability to master language (including both spoken and written English), analytical ability, creativity, initiative, independence, and ability to cooperate. The basis for judgement of how well the applicant fulfils these criteria is: the relevance of earlier studies for the research area, grades on courses at the university level, the quality of the independent project, references, relevant practical experience, interviews and the applicant's letter of intent. Previous experience of molecular phylogenetics, bioinformatics and documented studies in invertebrate zoology and marine biology are considered particularly relevant.

To be included in the application: Maximum one A4-page of personal presentation and your reasons for applying (letter of intent). Curriculum vitae. Copy of independent project report (preious thesis work) and publications. Documentation of other activities of relevance. Copy of degree certificates, or LADOK-excerpt.

Terms of employment: The research education comprises 48 months at full time. The position is financed by a fellowship ("utbildningsbidrag") for the first two years, and then continues with PhD-employment until the end of the PhD-program.

Information: Ulf Jondelius, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Invertebrate Zoology Department. Telephone: 08 5195 4150. E-mail:ulf.jondelius@nrm.se Union representatives: Bo Ekengren, SACO, Lisbeth Häggberg, ST and Gunnar Stenberg, SEKO.

You are welcome with your application with the specified ref.nr no later
than February 15, 2010 to:

Stockholms universitet
Prefekten
Zoologiska institutionen
106 91 Stockholm
Sweden