Conservation Geneticist - Post Doctoral Research Assistant

Starting Salary - ?23,828 (Pay Band D)



Applications are invited for a 3 year fixed term post-doctoral position at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The post is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council?s ?Knowledge Exchange? scheme and the general remit of the post is to improve the integration of genetic information into conservation programmes. This will involve the synthesis and communication of existing research data. Specifically the post holder will be involved in (a) the development of a decision-making framework for integrating genetic information into conservation programmes, (b) trialing and refining this framework using a selection of UK Biodiversity Action Plan plant and animal species, (c) producing user-friendly handbooks that summarise and communicate key conservation genetics concepts and terminology for the benefit of conservation practitioners, and (d) providing online resources to support practical conservation management.



Applicants should have a PhD in the field of population genetics, molecular ecology or conservation genetics. Strong communication skills (written and oral) are also required.



The post holder will work with Pete Hollingsworth at RBGE, in collaboration with Raj Whitlock and Terry Burke (University of Sheffield) and Andrew Pullin (University of Bangor), and the post will involve extensive dialogue and interactions with conservation practitioners and policy makers in the UK.



This post attracts generous holiday entitlement and civil service pension benefits.



Informal enquires can be directed to p.hollingsworth@rbge.org.uk<mailto:p.hollingsworth@rbge.org.uk>



A full job description and person specification can either be downloaded from http://www.rbge.org.uk/about-us/vacancies or can be obtained from Irene Morrice on 0131 248 2803 (i.morrice@rbge.org.uk<mailto:i.morrice@rbge.org.uk>). Applications should be made by way of CV and a covering letter and should be sent to Irene Morrice either by e-mail or by post to the Human Resources Department, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR. CV?s must be received no later than Wednesday, 28 October 2009.

The Department of Botany, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct research in Entomology on Christmas Island. Over the last decade, supercolonies of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes have spread across island rainforest and caused a variety of significant impacts. High ant densities are consistently associated with high densities of exotic, honeydew-secreting scale insects. This project is a key component of a wider program examining the potential for the indirect control of this ant invader through biological control of associated scale insects. Natural enemies of the main honeydew-secreting species Tachardina aurantiaca do not appear to be present on the island, and this project seeks to identify and evaluate natural enemies in the area of origin (south-east Asia) for potential biological control.
We are looking for a well motivated, independent person with a track record of research in entomology and the development of biocontrol. Research experience in the biology of scale insects and their natural enemies would be an advantage. The three-year position will be based on the island (an external territory of Australia), but substantial periods will be spent in Southeast Asia.

A second postdoctoral fellow has already been appointed, and is assessing the dependence of high-density supercolonies of the yellow crazy ant on associated honeydew-secreting scale insects. Both positions are funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, through the Director of National Parks.

Please contact Dr Dennis O'Dowd (odowd@sci.monash.edu.au<mailto:odowd@sci.monash.edu.au>) or Dr Peter Green (p.green@latrobe.edu.au<mailto:p.green@latrobe.edu.au>) for further information on the project, and visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au/pc/vacancies/all-vacancies.htm Position no. 50027509 to download the position description and application documentation. Applications are open until 30 October 2009 or until a suitable applicant is found.

Postdocs in mathematical ecology/evolution at Yale

1) Postdoctoral Position To Study Sexual Selection and Social Evolution
A NSF-funded postdoctoral position is currently available in the lab of
Suzanne Alonzo (PI) at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology at Yale University to develop theory on how individual social
or behavioral interactions affect evolutionary dynamics. The
postdoctoral researcher will work independently and in collaboration
with the PI to determine the precise questions to be addressed. A Ph.D.
in evolution, ecology, or mathematical biology is required. A
background in sexual selection, social evolution or evolutionary
ecology is preferred. Applicants should have a background in
evolutionary or ecological theory and have previous experience
developing mathematical models. Individuals with experience using
adaptive dynamics, game theory or quantitative genetics are especially
encouraged to apply.
Application deadline is November 1, 2009. Position will remain open
until filled. In the cover letter, applicants are asked to describe
their theoretical background and experience with mathematical modeling
explicitly. Please submit a curriculum vitae, brief statement of
research interests, up to 3 relevant manuscripts and contact
information for 3 references to Suzanne H. Alonzo by email
(Suzanne.Alonzo@Yale.edu) . Please put: "Sexual Selection and Social
Evolution Postdoc" in the subject line.
Yale University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Men
and women of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and cultures are
encouraged to apply.
----------------------------------------------------------
2) Dear Colleagues,
I am looking for a candidate to nominate for a Yale YIBS Donnelly
Postdoctoral Fellowship (to be held in my research group in the
Department of Ecology and Evolution at Yale University). The ideal
candidate will have experience and interest in sexual selection,
reproductive traits or the evolution of social behaviors. Candidates
with experience studying the underlying genetic, hormonal or
physiological mechanisms affecting reproductive or social traits are
also strongly urged to apply. The work to be conducted may be
empirical, theoretical or a combination of the two. The specific
questions to be addressed and the methods to be used are flexible.
Candidates must be nominated by a faculty member at Yale (me) by
December 10, 2009 and must submit their final application by January
31, 2010 (which includes a two page proposal, CV, three letters of
reference and one relevant publication). The postdoctoral fellowship
is for two years (to begin typically between July and September 2010).
To be competitive for this fellowship, candidates typically need to have
published at least 4-5 papers and the odds of success increase with the
number and profile of these papers.
Candidates must have a record of publication and strong letters of
reference to be competitive for this fellowship. Applicants must have
been awarded (or have nearly completed) their doctoral degree within
the past three years. The fellowship is for two years and the position
may be extended contingent on the availability of funding.
For more information see: http://www.yale.edu/yibs/donnfellows.html
Please ask interested and qualified applicants to contact me as soon as
possible. They should send a curriculum vitae, a brief statement of
research interests, up to 3 relevant manuscripts and contact
information for 3 professional references by email
(Suzanne.Alonzo@Yale.edu).
Yale University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Men
and women of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and cultures are
encouraged to apply.
Thank you in advance for you help.
Everything best,
Suzanne Alonzo
---------------------------------------------------------

Suzanne H. Alonzo
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Yale University
P.O. Box 208106
New Haven CT 06520-8106
phone (203) 432 0690
fax: (203) 432 3854
www.eeb.yale.edu/alonzo

Postdoctoral Position in Experimental Landscape Ecology
A postdoctoral position is available to examine the role of matrix
permeability during large-scale restoration as part of a new
landscape-scale
experiment in collaboration with John Orrock (Washington University),
Ellen
Damschen (Washington University), Lars Brudvig (Washington University),
and
the USDA Forest Service-Savannah River. The successful candidate will
be an
integral member of this team and conduct research aimed at the explicit
restoration of longleaf pine forest understory plant communities,
followed
by experimental manipulations of matrix characteristics (e.g., tree
density,
fire frequency, etc.) to understand how management affects the spread of
restored communities at large spatial scales. Project foci will also
include
experiments to evaluate the spatial dynamics of plant-animal
interactions
(e.g. seed predation, seed dispersal) within the experimental
landscapes.
The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of this
project,
including planning of experimental manipulations and devising studies of
plant-consumer interactions. The project will be conducted at the
Savannah
River Site, near Aiken, SC. The successful candidate must be adept at
working with local land managers and managing field assistants to
assure the
execution of the project, including oversight of experimental
treatments.
In addition to facilitating the goals of the larger project, the
successful
candidate will also be encouraged to develop their own independent
research
within the context of this study and/or in collaboration with members
of the
Corridor Research Group (www.conservationcorridor.org), which is also
located at the Savannah River Site. Funding for salary, benefits, and
research expenses is available for two years. The preferred start date
is
November 15, 2009. The primary location for the postdoc will be
determined
together with the research group, but substantial time will need to be
spent
at the field sites at the Savannah River Site.

Applicants must have relevant Ph.D. experience in ecology, conservation
biology, or restoration ecology and be eager to work as a collaborative
team
with the other scientists and land managers on the project. Prior
experience with large-scale field experiments, community ecology, seed
dispersal, managing field crews, or collaboration with management
agencies
is desirable. Candidates with expertise in consumer or seed
manipulation
studies, especially small-mammal consumers, are encouraged to apply.

Review of applicants will begin October 5, 2009, and continue until the
position is filled. Applications should consist of a 1-2 page statement
of
research interests focusing on projects that could be conducted related
to
the themes of this research project, a curriculum vitae, relevant
publications, and names of three references. The application should also
contain a cover page that highlights the applicant's skills and
abilities in
areas relevant to this project. Women and Minorities are strongly
encouraged
to apply. Washington University is an Equal Employment Opportunity
employer.
Applications should be sent (e-mail preferred) to:

John Orrock
E-mail: orrock@wustl.edu
Department of Biology
Washington University
1 Brookings Drive
Campus Box 1137
St. Louis, MO 63130

Applications are invited for two postdoctoral research fellowships in epidemiological and ecological modeling and phylogenetics of Avian Influenza Viruses. These posts are part of a long-term collaborative project between Dr Pej Rohani (University of Michigan) and Drs Drake and Stallknecht (University of Georgia). One postdoctoral position is NSF-funded and will focus on the development of mathematical and computational models relating to the persistence, transmission dynamics and evolution of Avian Influenza Viruses within North American wild bird populations. This position will be primarily supervised by Dr Pej Rohani and the candidate will be based at the University of Michigan. The second position, funded by the James S. McDonnell Foundation will focus on the phylodynamics of Avian Influenza Viruses. This position will be primarily supervised by Dr John Drake at the University of Georgia. The ideal candidates would have a PhD in a highly quantitative field, with previous experience in the analysis of ecological or epidemiological systems. The positions are potentially for 3 years, with a salary in the range of $37,000-45,000 per year (depending on experience), plus fringe benefits. For further information about the University of Michigan project, contact Pej Rohani (rohani@umich.edu). For further information about the University of Georgia project, contact John Drake (jdrake@uga.edu). Applicants should send a detailed CV, together with a brief statement of research interests and three references.