Postdoc in Antarctic plant phylogenomics (South Africa)

An exciting postdoctoral position to investigate Antarctic terrestrial plant phylogenomics is available at Stellenbosch University (http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/jleroux.asp) and the
University of Johannesburg (http://www.molzoolab.co.za/), South Africa; collaborative project. The successful applicant will be based at Stellenbosch University, but will be expected to spend some time at the University of Johannesburg. The envisaged research will address a major question in modern biology: how has plant life evolved and spread around the Antarctic region, both in the past and currently? This research forms part of an international collaboration: "A Functional Biogeography of the Antarctic (AFBA, see http://antarcticbiogeography.org)" as part of the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition (ACE). ACE involves 22 projects, 55 researchers and 19 countries and is the first project of the newly created Swiss Polar Institute.

The successful candidate will be responsible for plant phylogenomic
research on selected taxa from the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Islands.

Using the latest phylogenomic and analytical approaches, the research
aims to shed light on the history of plant life in the region, how it
will respond to environmental change, and what can be done to secure its
future.

Only candidates with demonstrable (i.e. published) skills in next
generation sequencing data analyses with an emphasis on phylogenomics
will be considered. Preference will be given to candidates with previous
postdoctoral research experience and an excellent academic track record
(i.e. publications in international journals). Successful candidates
will be fully funded for 1 y ear, to be extended for an additional 1 to 2
years depending on satisfactory performance. An attractive annual
bursary will be offered along with additional expenses for research,
international travel and subsistence, and conference attendance.

Individuals from all nationalities are eligible.

To apply, please send a CV, contact details for at least two academic
references, and a brief outline of research interests to Prof. Jaco Le
Roux (jleroux@sun.ac.za) and Prof. Bettine van Vuuren
(bettinevv@uj.ac.za) by 28 February 2017. Informal inquiries are
welcome. Review of applications will begin immediately after the closing
date, and short-listed candidates will be contacted to set up
phone/Skype interviews. The envisaged start date for the project would
be March/April 2017.