MSc scholarship offer: weevil temporal diversity in Panama
Project description
>From 1999 to 2017, at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s
Barro Colorado Island Biodiversity Research Center in Panama, adjacent
to a tropical forest plot established in 1982 for the study of forest
evolution, ten Malaise traps systematically captured around 15,000 weevil
specimens (family Curculionidae) representing 1,350 species. Specimens
were identified by a weevil specialist. This computational project will
analyze temporal changes in weevil diversity in relation to environmental
(mainly climatic) and vegetation changes. The sheer volume of data from
the three datasets (insects, plants, meteorology) makes this a project of
the highest scientific calibre. The person recruited will be supervised
by entomologist Colin Favret and numerical ecologist Pierre Legendre, with
the participation of tropical beetle specialist Hector Barrios Velazco.
Eligibility requirements
Interest in computational analysis of biodiversity data and experience in
entomology
University degree (B.Sc. or equivalent)
Good oral and written communication skills
We encourage women, LGBTQ+, aboriginal, individuals of all backgrounds, or
with a disability, to apply.
Benefits
$15,000/year scholarship for 2 years
Additional financial support available (teaching assistantships,
scholarships)
Flexible working conditions (flexible hours, remote work)
Wonderful work environment: entomology lab on the grounds of the Montreal
Botanical Garden; supportive team of friendly colleagues
Dates
Evaluation of applications will begin in November 2023, but applications
will be considered until the right candidate is recruited.
The study program will last two years, starting in the 2024 winter or
summer term.
How to apply
Please send (1) a cover letter, (2) your CV, (3) your transcript (photocopy
acceptable), and (4) the names and contact details of two references, to:
Colin Favret, colin.favret@umontreal.ca.
