[Taxacom] PhD position in Botany in Zurich

[Peter Linder]

Switzerland Zurich: Ph.D. Positions in Angiosperm Radiations

The goal of the interdisciplinary project 
“Cenozoic Radiations” is to test the hypothesis 
that the modern Angiosperm diversity has been 
assembled through a series of adaptive radiations 
during the Cenozoic, resulting from the 
interaction between evolving plant functional 
traits and environmental change. The project will 
link recent advances in building and analysing 
huge phylogenetic trees, with an increased 
understanding of plant functional traits, and 
substantial progress in documenting Cenozoic 
Angiosperm fossils. The project is based at the 
Institute of Systematic Botany of the University 
of Zurich 
(<http://www.systbot.uzh.ch/index_en.html>http://www.systbot.uzh.ch/index_en.html), 
with close collaborations with researchers in 
Switzerland (Colin Hughes), Germany (Volker 
Mosbrugger, Dieter Uhl), the US (Peter Wilf, 
Kevin Nixon, Maria Gandolfo), Mexico (Susana 
Magallon), Australia (Greg Jordan) and South 
Africa (William Bond). Funding comes from the 
Swiss National Fund for Science (SNF).

We have a position for a PhD student open in this 
project. This student will search for plant 
functional traits that may be linked to changes 
in the diversification rate. The successful 
applicant will have a good general knowledge of 
plants, and in particular of plant structure, and 
an understanding of eco-physiology and phylogeny. 
Correlations between global and local 
environmental changes and shifts in the 
diversification rates may be used to evaluate the 
importance of the PFT’s in the diversification of particular clades.

For further information, contact Peter Linder 
(<mailto:Peter.linder at systbot.uzh.ch>Peter.linder at systbot.uzh.ch). 
You are urged to apply as soon as possible: the 
position is available immediately, and will be 
filled as soon as a suitable applicant is located.

To apply, send the following materials, as 
separate PDF files, to Peter Linder 
(<mailto:Peter.linder at systbot.uzh.ch>Peter.linder at systbot.uzh.ch):

1. PDF of cover letter, indicating
     -- your career goals
     -- why you are interested in this PhD
2. PDF of CV, giving contact information, title 
of Masters thesis, a summary of our university 
courses and interests, research experience, 
notable skills, advanced courses, publication 
list, posters and talks presented, awards, 
service, etc. If your Masters is not yet 
completed, please indicate by when you expect to graduate.
3. PDF of the abstract of your Masters thesis. If 
your Masters is not yet completed, please provide a summary.
4. PDF of university report of coursework, 
showing grades and degrees earned (must be in English)
5. PDF's of published papers and papers in-press.




Peter Linder
Institute for Systematic Botany
Zollikerstrasse 107
CH 8008  Zürich
Switzerland
Ph: +41 (0)44 634 8410
Fax: +41 (0)44 634 8403