Postdoctoral Researcher position - Sars International Centre, Bergen Norway

Postdoctoral Researcher
Correlative light and electron microscopy and neural circuit reconstruction

The Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology is now offering a two-year postdoc position in a research group working on cell type and organ system evolution in invertebrates. The announced position focuses on the application of correlative and 3D electron microscopic techniques for integration of light microscopic gene expression and ultrastructural datasets. The project forms an integral part of collaborative efforts to uncover neural circuitry of evolutionary conserved cell types in the central nervous system of the emerging invertebrate model organism Platynereis dumerilii for analysis of animal nervous system evolution.
Extensive resources for Platynereis dumerilii are now established by several labs (gene knock down, transgenesis, advanced imaging tools) and genome sequencing is in process making this protostome representative a valuable model for molecular and evolutionary research.
The position involves a broad spectrum of electron microscopic methods from automated TEM and SEM imaging of serial sections, 3D image processing, axon tracing, immunogold studies and new developments in correlative light and electron microscopy for studying gene expression on the cellular level. The successful applicant will have a solid background in electron microscopy and interest in function and evolution of invertebrate nervous systems. Prior experiences in advanced 3D image processing and molecular biological techniques are advantageous.
The position is available immediately; the start date is negotiable
The salary for Postdoctoral Researcher (code 8151) starts at NOK 460 593 and will be adjusted accordingly following 2012 wage settlements.
The Sars International Centre is a partner of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and a department of Uni Research AS, affiliated with the University of Bergen. The Centre is focused on basic research in marine molecular biology, developmental biology and evolution, through genetic and comparative studies of invertebrates and vertebrates. The Centre offers excellent molecular and imaging resources and the University EM facility has currently been upgraded with new SEM and TEM equipment for automated image acquisition. EMBL resources will be directly available for the project due to close collaboration with EMBL members.
Uni Research has employee insurance and pension agreements and is an equal opportunity employer.
For further information regarding the position and scientific content of the project please contact Dr. Harald Hausen, Group Leader: harald.hausen@sars.uib.no.
Written applications in English, including CV, summary of educational and work experience, a brief statement of research interest and contact information for two references can be sent to: Uni Sars Centre, HR Officer, Bergen High Technology Centre, Thormøhlensgt. 55, N-5008 Bergen, Norway. Please mark applications 12 Sars 04. Application deadline is 22 June 2012.
Please note that applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.


Further information 

Two PhD scholarship in invertebrate morphology: “Evolution and development of central organ systems in marine meiofauna” : Copenhagen, Denmark

 The Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen

Two 3-year PhD positions are available at the Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. The positions will be jointly supervised by Katrine Worsaae, University of Copenhagen and Andreas Hejnol, Uni Sars Centre, Norway. Deadline for applications is June 11, 2012.
The scholarships will address the origin of central body designs through detailed studies of, microscopic, complex animals of the lesser-studied spiralian lineages. Hereby we seek answers to central questions such as: Was the last common spiralian ancestor relatively large and complex as annelids and mollusks? Or was it microscopic consisting of low number of cells only? How complex and regionalized is the brain of microscopic animals?
The PhD projects are expected to provide new scientific insight into the detailed structure, development, and evolution of central characters in selected spiralian meiofaunal taxa. Transcriptomes of these taxa are either in progress or will be generated during the project. The projects will combine the disciplines of advanced microscopy and immunochemistry (histology, TEM, CLSM, 3D reconstructions) with studies of gene expression patterns. Body designs and organ systems of interest could be e.g., the brain, sensory structures, seriality, cell numbers and size, dwarfism, alimentary canal. For further information on the project contact Assoc. Prof. Katrine Worsaae at kworsaae@bio.ku.dk. Please do not post your application to this address.
Further information and application formula at http://www.offentlige-stillinger.dk/sites/cfml/kbhuni/kbhuniVis.cfm?plugin=1&englishJobs=NO&nJobNo=204560&nLangNo=1

PhD population structure in pest polychaetes

PhD Opportunity in Marine Invertebrate Biodiversity

 

University of Guelph (with West Coast DFO Research Placement)

We are seeking an enthusiastic Ph.D. student with an interest in applied evolutionary genetics and taxonomy to conduct a DNA barcoding study on marine invertebrates as part of a large multi-disciplinary network conducting studies on aquatic invasive species (Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network, CAISN). This barcoding project is a collaborative one, involving researchers at the University of Guelph, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and University of Windsor.

Many global invaders are marine invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs, and ascidians that often present taxonomic challenges, especially in early life history stages. DNA barcoding has been identified as a robust, widely applicable method that could serve as an international standard for the identification of aquatic invasive species on a global scale as it has practical advantages over classical taxonomic methods. However, its utility for this purpose needs to be validated—especially when invaders and co-occurring native species are very similar—and its usefulness is a function of the availability of validated DNA barcoding datasets.

The successful candidate will apply DNA barcoding methods to generate essential baseline data on invertebrate biodiversity in Canada’s coastal waters and will then evaluate the utility of this approach for invasive species identification and detection. This project may also involve generating molecular phylogenies based on multiple nuclear markers where needed to resolve taxonomic uncertainties of important marine invaders. Species identifications will be obtained in collaboration with taxonomic experts, and the relationship between cryptic species diversity and body size will be explored using the resulting datasets.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who is interested in playing a substantial role in developing novel research directions for this project, using the sequence data to address exciting questions in ecology and/or evolution. Potential research topics include investigating the phylogenetic distribution of “invasiveness”; analyzing molecular evolutionary rates across different taxa; or comparing patterns of genetic diversity, species diversity, species complementarity, and invasive species prevalence among regions.

The student will be co-advised by Dr. Sarah Adamowicz (University of Guelph) and Dr. Cathryn Abbott (Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and will also collaborate with other DFO and university researchers. The successful candidate will be based at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, B.C. for a portion of the studentship. This position provides the opportunity to conduct novel research in invasion biology, ecology, and evolution and will serve as an outstanding training ground for those interested in governmental, academic, or private-sector careers in biology and environmental science.

Stipend funding is available at NSERC network rates. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are preferred as there are no project funds for international student fees. The project start date is to be between May 2011 and January 2012.  To be considered for this position please send your CV, a brief summary of your research interests, and at least two references to cathryn.abbott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Cathryn Abbott, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Aquatic Animal Health

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Pacific Biological Station

3190 Hammond Bay Road

Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7 Canada

Telephone: +1 250 756 3364

FAX: +1 250 756 7053

cathryn.abbott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca