Taxacom: 3 PhD positions in marine molluscs and invertebrates

[Julia Sigwart]

Dear all

Could you please alert potential PhD students to these exciting projects in my lab group. Full funding is available for students of any nationality. 

All three projects are based in the Senckenberg Research Institute and Museum, Frankfurt. The working language in our research group is English.
Application deadline: 27 February 2022

Evolution of molluscan adaptations (apply with ref. #01-21053)

This project will use a series of case studies, from across the diversity of Mollusca, to assess the role of the biomineralization toolkit in phenotypic evolution. A funded PhD student will be trained in specialist lab techniques to describe the anatomy of the focal species, visualised using 3D techniques. These descriptive studies will provide a new comparative context to interpret the function of special structures and adaptive novelties. The PhD project will focus on morphology, but combined with collaborative phylogenomic analyses from other work in our research group, to test the phylogenetic placement of these target species with novel body plans, and related “normal" groups. 

Phylogenetic systematics of polyplacophoran molluscs (apply with ref. # 01-21056)

The aims of this project are to improve taxon sampling for molecular phylogenetic analysis of total-group Polyplacophora, to conduct a systematic revision of a major clade within the class based on phylogenetic analyses supported by morphological diagnoses, and to describe new species using an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological data. The molecular aspects will be conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the LOEWE Translational Biodiversity Genomics center, using cutting edge techniques especially to gather data from historical museum samples.

Diversity of deep-sea holothurians (apply with ref. #01-21058)

Although namako are frequently seen in video footage captured by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) controlled from deep sea research vessels, they are often difficult to identify reliably. It is not clear how large the natural ranges are for these species, with some recent evidence indicating that species may be distributed worldwide, in contrast to the typical pattern of regionally segregated species complexes. With this project, deep sea holothurians (class Holothuria) will be studied using a combination of genome sequencing, DNA barcoding, and morpho-anatomical descriptions. This project will draw on material from the IceAGE and IceDIVA cruises and the research will be conducted in collaboration with Dr Saskia Brix-Elrig and other colleagues at Senckenberg am Meer based in Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven.

Application Info

Equity: The Senckenberg Research Institutes support equal opportunity of men and women. We strongly encourage women to apply. Equally qualified applicants with a disability will be given preference. We are committed to fostering a diverse team in Senckenberg and will positively consider candidates from under-represented groups and all genders (m/f/d).

International applicants: Please note that PhD studentships in Germany are typically paid at the salary scale of a postdoctoral researcher but at 67% of the full time rate. This is not equivalent to “part time studies” in other countries. The position offers a sufficient salary to live and work in Frankfurt. Senckenberg is a globally connected institute. Frankfurt is a vibrant, international, culturally diverse city and one of the world’s travel hubs. We are committed to welcoming and supporting candidates from all nations.

To apply, please submit a single document as an email attachment, including

- A cover letter (maximum 1-2 pages) explaining your interest in the project and your relevant prior experience;
- Your detailed CV, including names and contact details of two professional references;
- Copies of your relevant academic certificates and credentials, such as your university degrees.

Please submit your documents, mentioning the reference of this job posting (ref.# above), as a single email attachment to recruiting at senckenberg.de until 27 February 2022



Prof. Dr. Julia Sigwart
Head of Section, Malacology
julia.sigwart at senckenberg.de

**** We’re hiring! ****
Please see open positions for staff and funded PhD studentships at 
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsosa.senckenberg.de%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ctaxacom%40lists.ku.edu%7C289a506e6e63466ad01b08d9e1767a83%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C637788721253095250%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=els%2BwAQ%2FB8OVf7lLEas0V8s%2BMhCUkypmRY8VlR%2BKqVw%3D&reserved=0

bit.ly/SMFMalacology | @sigwartae