Postdoc in Evolutionary Community Ecology and Experimental Evolution, Montpellier, France.

A postdoctoral contract of 24 months starting from January 2011 (earlier appointment is negotiable) and funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) is available in the « Evolutionary Community Ecology » group headed by Nicolas Mouquet at the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (University of Montpellier, France).

The role: The successful appointee will undertake innovative research related to mecanisms of evolutionary diversification and emerging community properties using bacteria as a model system. The main objective is to understand how evolution on simple and complex environments alters the relationship between species richness and ecosystem functioning. His work will be done in close collaboration with theoreticians and can also include modeling if the applicant wants to develop both experimental and theoretical approaches. The research will be supervised by Nicolas Mouquet and will benefit of technical helps.

The person: Applicants should possess a PhD in the area of ecology, evolutionary ecology, or microbial ecology/evolution. A strong background in conceptual ecology/evolution in needed. Experience with ecological microcosms and bacterial evolution will be appreciated. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English, good communication, teamwork and organizational skills as well as to be able to work independently.

The team: Our group associate theoretical and experimental approaches to understand the dynamics of species diversity over short (ecological) and long (evolutionary) time scales. Our approaches are multidisciplinary, mixing community and ecosystem ecology, biogeography, evolution, microbiology, conservation biology and modeling of complex systems. We use different techniques and biological material : (1) mathematical modeling, (2) experimental evolution (with two systems : Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 and its phage Phy2 and the protozoan Paramecium caudatum and its bacterial parasite Holospora undulata), (3) data analyses on large-scale species distribution datasets (Birds, Fishes, Rodents and their parasites) and (4) fields studies on tropical fishes Monogenea and marine bacteria. Our team hosts 7 permanent researchers (Vincent Devictor, Michael Hochberg, Oliver Kaltz, Sonia Kefi, Serge Morand, Nicolas Mouquet and Antoine Pariselle) one permanent Technician, several postdocs, Phd and master students.

The department: The Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM) is one of the strongest French institutes in the field of biodiversity. It hosts 63 permanent researchers (plus 92 technicians, engineers, post-docs and PhD), and encompasses every aspect of evolutionary biology: paleontology, systematics, phylogeny, population genetics, ecology and conservation biology. ISEM belongs to University Montpellier 2, and is deeply involved into teaching, from master to doctorate.

Remuneration: The net salary will be of at least 1800 euros including social security and medical assistance depending on the candidate experience. This is a full-time, fixed term appointment for 24 months.

Contact/Application: This job will remain open until the position is filled, but applicants are encouraged to apply by October 1, 2010. To discuss the role and/or send application contact Dr. Nicolas Mouquet nmouquet@univ-montp2.fr

Application materials should include: (1) Cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications. (2) Resume/Vita. (3) Names and contact information of at least two professional references




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Nicolas Mouquet

Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution - CNRS
UMR 5554 - Université de Montpellier II - CC 065
34095 MONTPELLIER Cedex 05

nmouquet@univ-montp2.fr
Tel +33 4 67 14 93 57
Fax +33 4 67 14 40 61
Skype : nmouquet

http://nicolasmouquet.free.fr/
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