PhD position in systematics and evolution of Malagasy heathers (Erica; Ericaceae)
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About the position:
At the Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen (University of Bergen, Norway), there is a vacancy for a PhD position within the field of biosystematics of flowering plants. The position is for a fixed-term period of four years including 25% (one year) of other career-promoting work in the botanical collections (e.g. teaching duties, collection management, outreach). The candidate will be working on a research project on the diversity, systematics, phylogeny, and conservation status of Malagasy Erica (Ericaceae) as part of the Threatened species conservation team: https://www4.uib.no/forskning/forskergrupper/threatened-species-conservation .
About the project/work tasks:
Background:
Erica (Ericaceae) is a large genus of flowering plants with centres of diversity in South Africa and Madagascar. In Madagascar, 35 currently recognised species form common elements of the heathland mountain flora. Heathlands are a key component of the prehuman vegetation mosaic of central Madagascar and Erica species play an important role in their natural fire ecology. However, many of the species are taxonomically poorly defined. The genus was last revised in 1927 and includes common and widespread species complexes, collections of which are hard to interpret and often remain unidentified. In order to assess the threat status of species and incorporate data into broader regional analyses we need a modern interpretation of species boundaries and effective tools to identify specimens. Understanding the diversity of Erica will directly contribute to planning land management in collaboration with Kew Madagascar, Madagascar’s Ministry of the Environment, and Madagascar National Parks as well as to the Botanic Gardens Conservation Internation (BGCI) Global Conservation Consortium for Erica which is coordinated at UiB.
Objectives:
The candidate will use integrative morphological and molecular taxonomic methods to study aspects of the diversity of Malagasy Erica, with particular focus on the putatively critically endangered Erica goudotiana species complex. The work will involve a combination of herbarium study, fieldwork including collections and threat assessments, lab work including DNA processing for high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics including phylogenetic analysis and coalescent based species inference, and synthesis in the form of a formal revision. Supervisors: Prof. Michael D. Pirie (main; Department of Natural History, University Museum, University of Bergen), Assoc. Prof. Jan Hackel (DEEP, University of Stockholm), and Dr. Bat Vorontsova (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew).
Qualifications and personal qualities:
We seek an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate, ideally with experience in biosystematics of flowering plants and the Madagascan flora. The successful applicant must be a good team worker, have the ability to work and develop new skills independently in a structured and goal-oriented manner, and possess excellent social and communication skills.
Required:
- Master of science degree (MSc) or equivalent in botany, evolutionary biology or biosystematics, and must have submitted master’s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
- Experience with molecular laboratory work and phylogenetic analyses
- Availability to carry out fieldwork and travel abroad to study biological collections at other institutions
- Good command of English, both oral and written
Preferred:
- Experience in plant taxonomy and systematics
- Experience with collecting and identification of plants
- Experience in writing scientific articles and presentation of poster and oral communications
at international scientific meetings - Experience with fieldwork
- Experience with high throughput sequencing
- Experience with bioinformatics for biosystematics
- Experience with science communication, dissemination and outreach
About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):
The PhD candidate will be responsible for the development of the research project including fieldwork, taxonomic identifications, phylogenetics, species delimitation and other analyses, as well as writing up.
The PhD candidate must take part in the University’s approved PhD program leading to the degree within a time limit of 4 years. Hence, applicants must meet the formal admission requirements for the PhD program. Application for admission to the PhD study, including progress plan for education and research will be prepared together with the project advisors. A final plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences within 2 months after the candidate has commenced in the position. It is a condition that the candidate satisfies the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen: https://www.uib.no/en/nt/53972/doctoral-education-phd-faculty-science-and-technology
We can offer:
- A good and professionally challenging working environment
- Salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) gross annual salary of NOK 568 700. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
- A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
- The names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, or official confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted
- Relevant certificates/references
- Approved documentation of proficiency in English (if. required, cf.: Admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology | Faculty of Science and Technology | UiB
- A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by Associate professor Michael Pirie (Michael.pirie@uib.no), +47 45862644), University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History, or Head of Department Jenny Smedmark (jenny.smedmark@uib.no ) +47 40726194, University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History.
Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
Life as a PhD candidate at UiB
Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.
About UiB
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
University Museum of Bergen – read more here
Questions about the position
Michael Pirie
Professor
+47 45862644
Jenny Smedmark
instituttleder
+47 40726194
