Doctorado con coleópteros en un museo de Historia Natural de Alemania

The State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNS) is one of the largest natural history museums in Germany emphasizing collection-based research in systematics, taxonomy, biodiversity and evolution.

Job description:
This PhD position falls within the scope of long-term research investigations developed at SMNS, aimed at understanding the origins and modalities of subterranean evolution and adaptation in beetles.
The successful applicant will reconstruct the first molecular phylogeny of the tribe Bythini, with focus on subterranean species. The results will allow to clarify phylogenetic affinities between the genera, test the monophyly of the Dinaric group and the phylogenetic validity of previous classifications. In a second time, morphometric approaches will be used to study the evolution in size and shape of some morphological structures. Comparison of phylogeny and morphology will allow to test the importance of convergence in subterranean life. Moreover, acquisition of taxonomic expertise on the group and description of new taxa are among the expected results of the project. The evolutionary history of the group and the impact of paleogeographical events on its present distribution will finally be analysed.

The successful candidate will be based at the Entomology Department of the SMNS. The project will be supervised by Dr. Arnaud Faille http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/forschung/entomology/faille
The applicant will also collaborate with Dr. Peter Hlaváč (Natural History Museum, Prague).

The successful candidate is expected to have:
• M.Sc./Diploma degree or equivalent in biology by the time of the start of the project
• strong English language skills in both spoken and written form
• experience and interest in insect/beetle biodiversity and evolution
• ability to work in a collaborative environment
• organizationaI skills and flexibility
• willingness to traveI for sampling of cave and soil faunas
• skills in molecular biology and bioinformatics

Applicants must be highly motivated and have a background in entomology and phylogenetic analysis. Skills in speleology as well as experience in sampling of soil and cave invertebrates in the field would be a plus.
Please note: The applicant must enroll in a doctoral program at the University of Hohenheim to obtain the appropriate degree.

We offer:
• the opportunity to pursue your academic career in an internationally renowned research museum
• access to a molecular laboratory and imaging platforms (optical and scanning electron microscopes, high performance cameras) and to a unique collection of world Pselaphinae
• exciting research in an international and multidisciplinary environment including taxonomists, evolutionary biologists and computer scientists
• the possibility to attend national and international conferences
• intensive academic and personal mentoring
• an attractive workplace in the centre of Stuttgart

The salary is based on the German civil service salary scale E13 [TV-L, 50%]. The position is limited to three years. Please send your application, including a cover letter, CV and certificates exclusively online (in one file, max 5 MB) to phd-coleoptera@smns-bw.de by February 23, 2020. The job interviews are scheduled for March 6, 2020.

Please note that your incoming data will not be automatically encrypted. By submitting your application documents, you agree to circulate them between members of the selection committee in compliance with the provisions of the European GeneraI Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO).
For further information, please contact Dr. Arnaud Faille: 0049-(0) 711 8936 221, arnaud.faille@smns-bw.de or Prof. Dr. Lars Krogmann: 0049-(0) 711 8936 219, lars.krogmann@smns-bw.de

The SMNS is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity, tolerance and excellence.
Preference will be given to applicants with severe disabilities if equally qualified.