[Taxacom] Ph.D. Position - Barcoding Caribbean Meiofauna

[Hochberg, Rick]

A PhD graduate research position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Rick Hochberg, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, starting in January (preferred) or September 2010.

Description: The PhD student will contribute to an NSF-funded project that focuses on the biodiversity of Caribbean meiofauna. Specifically, the student will obtain molecular barcodes (COI) to gain estimates of species richness and cryptic diversity in marine Gastrotricha – a phylum of microscopic invertebrates that are abundant in coastal sediments. In particular, the genus Tetranchyroderma contains some of the most geographically widespread and morphologically diverse marine gastrotrichs. Most morphospecies are easily identified by the structure of their cuticle, providing a unique opportunty to correlate taxonomic characters with individual DNA tags. The specific objectives of the doctoral research are to 1) generate mitochondrial COI sequences for the development of DNA barcodes of Tetranchyroderma; 2) determine if molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) are concordant with the morphospecies concept for Tetranchyroderma, i.e., mtDNA and morphological monophyly are supported, and 3) assist in the development of a database of haplotypes with links to digital vouchers and GPS information.  

The expected starting date is January, 2010 (spring semester). The first Caribbean trip will be in June or July, 2010.

Candidate Experience: Candidates for this position should have a strong interest in invertebrate systematics and evolution, and demonstrate experience in molecular methods including knowledge of bioinformatics. SCUBA certification is beneficial but not required. Fieldwork on select Caribbean islands will occur for 2-3 weeks every summer for three years beginning in 2010; a US passport is necessary. Fluency in Spanish is extremely valuable.

To apply: The selected student is expected to enroll in either the 1) University of Massachusetts School of Marine Sciences (http://www.umassmarine.net/admissions/) or the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (http://www.uml.edu/College/arts_sciences/Biology/Programs_of_Study/graduate.html) The candidate will have the option of obtaining a PhD in Marine Science and Technology (University of Massachusetts) or Biochemistry (UML), respectively, depending on his/her academic interests. Additional information about policies and entrance requirements pertaining to university admission are found at: http://www.uml.edu/grad/

Opportunities for teaching at the undergraduate level are available (as teaching assistantships). Current stipends for Ph.D. research graduate students are $20,000. 

Please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research experience that explains your background and specific interests in the project, and names and contact information of at least two scientists available for reference. 

Please send your application as a pdf or Word (.doc) document to:
Dr. Rick Hochberg
Assistant Professor of Biology
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Rick_hochberg at uml.edu

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Rick Hochberg, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Biology
Associate Editor, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Department of Biological Sciences
One University Avenue
Lowell, MA 01854 USA

Office: 001.978.934.2885
Fax: 001.978.934.3044
http://faculty.uml.edu/rhochberg/hochberglab/index.html
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