[Taxacom] post-doc in Solanum systematics

[John Grehan]

Dick (and others),

I did not mean to prejudge their knowledge of morphology, but I see that
my comments could be taken that way. I should emphasize that what struck
me was that there was no reference to morphology being preferred along
with molecular experience. This is the kind of theme that I see often
repeated. If in actual fact morphological evidence and knowledge is not
subordinated to molecules in the proposed research program then that is
really great since it would be a counter example to the overall
deterioration of support for morphology as a modern science. But if that
is the case then it is a pity that morphology was not also at least
co-emphasized in the announcement.

John Grehan

 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Jensen [mailto:rjensen at saintmarys.edu]
> Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 8:27 AM
> To: John Grehan
> Cc: Lynn Bohs; taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: Re: [Taxacom] post-doc in Solanum systematics
> 
> 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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> >
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> >