We offer an additional fully-funded Ph.D. position (TVL E13 65%, ~€1400/month) available for all students (EU and International) within the project “Metacommunity genetics in a plant-aphid system” funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) at the Technische Universität München (TUM) and in collaboration with the Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU). Candidates are required to have a M.Sc./Diploma in Biology or a related subject with appropriate specialisation. We expect the candidates to have good communication skills and the ability to work in a team. The ability to read, speak and write in English are essential requirements, knowledge of German is beneficial.
This project will investigate the factors that drive metacommunity dynamics in a plant-aphid system, involving tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and its specialised aphid species, with focus on genetic and chemical variation in the plants. The work will involve local field surveys during the summer months and experimental work in the greenhouse throughout the year. All applicants should have a strong interest in community ecology and ecological genetics (sequencing and fragment analysis), and should have taken relevant courses in these subjects. Other relevant skills include experience with fieldwork, ecological experiments, molecular lab work, bioinformatics and statistical packages such as R. A clean driving license is essential.
The successful applicant will be based in the Terrestrial Ecology Group at TUM, Freising (Dr Zytynska and Prof. Weisser). Application is via email only and should include a cover letter including a short statement of research interests, a curriculum vitae including a list of any publications, and names and email-addresses for two references, in a single pdf document. Information on the research group and publications in the area of metacommunity ecology and community genetics can be found on the TUM website: http://www.toek.wzw.tum.de.
The position is available from January 2014 and funding will be provided for three years. Application deadline is Monday 25th November 2013.
Please contact: Dr Sharon E Zytynska (sharon.zytynska@tum.de), Technische Universität München, Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
