[Taxacom] Postdoc positions: Platygastroid PBI

[NORMAN JOHNSON]

Apologies for all cross-posting.

We are beginning an exciting new project funded by the Planetary Biodiversity Inventory Program of the U.S. National Science Foundation. The taxonomic focus of the work is the Platygastroidea: a common, widespread, and speciose group of parasitoid wasps. We have assembled a team of 13 researchers from 9 countries, led by Norman F. Johnson (Ohio State University) and Andrew D. Austin (University of Adelaide). The goals are a comprehensive morphological and molecular analysis of platygastroid phylogenetic relationships, to describe and key all the species of a major subgroup of the superfamily, and to conduct extensive field work to better sample the group’s diversity around the world. The entire project builds upon and leverages our existing cyberinfrastructure for platygastroid systematics.

We seek applications for two postdoctoral associates to join us in this endeavour. One will be based in Columbus, OH (USA) and the second will work extensively at the University of Adelaide (Australia). The official position announcement is appended below. For further information, please contact Norman Johnson (e-mail: johnson.2 at osu.edu).

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POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS
PLANETARY BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY: DIVERSITY AND THE PARASITOID LIFE-HISTORY STRATEGY - THE SUPERFAMILY PLATYGASTROIDEA (HYMENOPTERA)
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Two postdoctoral positions are available to participate in the PBI project on the parasitic wasp
superfamily Platygastroidea. The goals of this project are to work on the basic taxonomy of a
major group of these wasps (the Scelionini), phylogenetic analysis of the superfamily using both
molecular and morphological data, and field work to increase the extent and quality of collections.
The successful candidates will be involved in all three of these areas.  One postdoctoral position
will be based at OSU (Columbus, Ohio, USA) working with N. F. Johnson, and the other will also
work extensively in the laboratory of A. D. Austin at the University of Adelaide (Adelaide,
Australia).

Requirements include experience in descriptive taxonomy with a preference for previous work
with parasitic Hymenoptera; experience with PCR techniques and DNA sequencing; the ability to
work independently and congenially in a busy laboratory; good oral and written skills; and
experience with computational techniques for analyzing sequence and morphological data for
phylogenetic purposes. Familiarity with databases and SQL, and experience with foreign field
work collecting microhymenoptera are both highly desirable.

Please e-mail a letter of application outlining research experience and interests along with your
CV, reprints, and e-mail addresses of three referees to Norman Johnson at johnson.2 at osu.edu.

Closing date: 01 November, 2006, although applications will continue to be considered until both positions are filled.

To build a diverse workforce Ohio State encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. EEO/AA employer.


Norman Johnson
Professor, Department of Entomology
Director, CA Triplehorn Insect Collection
1315 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212
P: 614 292 6595  F: 614 292 7774