Postdoc in London: Fish Evolution

THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

Postdoctoral Researcher
Evolutionary diversification in an endangered biodiversity hotspot:
the Southeast Asian peat swamp forest fish fauna'

We seek a highly motivated and productive postdoctoral researcher to
work for the final year to complete a 3-year NERC-funded research
project on the evolutionary history of the peat swamp forest
ichthyofauna. The Southeast Asian peat swamp forests (PSF), found in
the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, are waterlogged forests that grow
on a layer of dead plant material. PSF are characterized by a unique,
vastly stenotopic freshwater fish community, which is adapted to
highly acidic (pH as low as 3) black waters and comprises many
miniature taxa and narrow range endemics, many of which have only been
discovered in recent years. The successful candidate will use a
multigene, molecular systematic approach to provide a robust
phylogenetic framework of representative PSF fish clades, integrating
relaxed molecular clock methodology and statistical phylogeography
with geological and paleoclimatological data, in order to (1)
reconstruct the time frame for the PSF fish diversification, (2)
identify past demographic expansions and their taxonomic, geographic
and temporal correlates, and (3) identify regions of elevated
taxonomic and genetic diversity that contribute most to the
evolutionary legacy of this unique ecosystem.

Applicants should have a broad interest in systematics and evolution
and should have demonstrated the ability to work on complex and
demanding projects. They should possess a PhD in molecular
phylogenetics or associated areas, be physically fit enough and
willing to participate in extensive fieldwork in Southeast Asia,
together with a strong commitment to publication and collaborative
research. The position requires experience in ichthyology,
phylogenetic systematics, and population genetics, Outstanding
molecular (PCR, cloning, sequencing), and computational skills are
essential and knowledge of statistical phylogeography and GIS based
approaches would be advantageous. The successful candidate will be
supervised by Dr Lukas Rüber (Department of Zoology, The Natural
History Museum), and co-supervised by Dr Ralf Britz (Department of
Zoology, The Natural History Museum).

This NERC-funded position is available for 1 year with ideally a
starting date of 1 July 2011, although there is some flexibility. The
salary is GBP £27,339 per annum plus benefits.

Applications including a short CV, list of publications, names of
three referees willing to provide a letter of recommendation upon
request, and a brief statement of interest and qualification should be
sent to l.ruber@nhm.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 20 May, 2011.

Dr Lukas Ruber
Department of Zoology
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 6208
Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5054
e-mail: l.ruber@nhm.ac.uk

www.lukasruber.com
www.nhm.ac.uk/zoology