[Taxacom] post-doc in Solanum systematics

[John Grehan]

I think this announcement encapsulates nicely the continued decline, if
not destruction of evolutionary morphology in modern biology and
systematics. While experience in molecular systematics is preferred, but
not required, experience in morphology is apparently not only not even
preferred, it is not required at all. One sees all sorts of molecular
phylogenies being generated with indifference to the morphological
implications. In one case a prominent plant molecular systematist, for
example, admitted to me that he was clueless about the morphology of the
Podostemaceae compared with other plant families while making molecular
proclamations about their evolutionary relationships. But morphology to
him was phylogentically meaningless so it did not matter.

John Grehan 

-----Original Message-----
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
[mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Lynn Bohs
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 2:43 PM
To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Subject: [Taxacom] post-doc in Solanum systematics

Dear Taxacom,
	A post-doc position in Solanum systematics is currently
available at the University of Utah.  Please refer to the ad below for
details.

Postdoctoral Position in Solanum Systematics.  A postdoctoral position
at the University of Utah is available on an internationally
collaborative project to produce a global monograph of the genus Solanum
(Solanaceae).  The project is one of several Planetary Biodiversity
Inventory programs funded by the National Science Foundation. Solanum
includes between 1000 and 2000 species and is one of the largest genera
of angiosperms.  The species level taxonomy, including images, keys and
specimen data, are available over the Internet at our project website,
the Solanaceae Source (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/solanaceaesource/).
Responsibilities include monographic taxonomy of selected species groups
of solanums; specimen and image databasing and manipulation; field work
for the collection of herbarium, seed and silica gel samples; generation
of molecular data for phylogeny reconstruction (mainly sequences of
chloroplast and nuclear genes); maintenance and analysis of living
greenhouse collections of Solanaceae; data analysis, presentation, and
publication; training and supervision of undergraduate lab assistants;
and oversight of routine lab activities.  Candidates should have a Ph.D.
and experience in plant systematics; experience with Solanaceae is
preferred but not required, as is experience with field work, molecular
systematics and a variety of methods of data analysis.  The position is
available for one year beginning immediately and extendable for up to
several years as long as funds are available and satisfactory progress
is demonstrated. 

Electronic submission of applications is encouraged.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a
suitable candidate is chosen.  Applicants should submit a statement of
interest and description of past experience, a curriculum vitae, and
contact information (names, email addresses, and phone numbers) of three
references to:

Lynn Bohs
Department of Biology
257 South 1400 East
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT 84112  USA
E-mail: bohs at biology.utah.edu
Phone:  (801) 585-0380

Information on the Biology Department at the University of Utah is
available at www.biology.utah.edu  The University of Utah is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.

--
Lynn Bohs
Department of Biology
257 South 1400 East
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT  84112
(801) 585-0380
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