[Taxacom] post-doc in Solanum systematics

[Richard Jensen]

Dear John,

You should be careful when you criticize. The group directing this 
project includes individuals with extensive research experience based on 
morphological characters (particularly as authors of monographs). In 
addition, experience with field work is also preferred and, as you must 
know, field work in a group such as this, and more generally, is based 
primarily on morphology. While I admit that a Ph.D. in plant systematics 
does not guarantee a solid foundation in taxonomic morphology, it is 
almost always a component of such a program.

Dick J

Richard Jensen, Professor
Department of Biology
Saint Mary’s College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Tel: 574-284-4674



John Grehan wrote:
> 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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