2 PhD in Parasite evolution (Germany)

A major new interdisciplinary research initiative, funded through the Pact for Research & Innovation via the Leibniz Association, the International Multidisciplinary Parasitology and Vector Biology (IMPact-Vector) Graduate School advertises eight PhD positions (http://www.bik-f.de/files/stellenausschreibungen/ausschreibung_eightfellowships_dez-13.pdf). Within this Graduate School, the IGB Berlin (www.igb-berlin.de) offers

2 PhD positions

on the “Relevance of parasites and vectors in freshwater ecosystems”.
Depending on their interests and skills, the candidates and the supervisors will choose one out of four topics:
1.      Impact of coevolution on susceptibility and resistance to the swim bladder nematode Anguillicola crassus in eels (supervisors: K. Knopf, M. T. Monaghan).
2.      Zoonotic risk of endemic fish-borne trematodes (supervisor: K. Knopf).
3.      Impact of parasites on top-down control of periphyton and regime shifts in lakes (supervisors: K. Knopf, S. Hilt).
4.      Ecology and evolution of mosquitoes in urban, agricultural, and natural environments (supervisor: M. T. Monaghan).

Your profile:
·       Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology, ecology, molecular biology, parasitology, zoology, or a related field
·       Laboratory and/or field research experience
·       Interest in solving complex biological problems
·       Excellent communication skills – English is the working language of the research groups

For enquiries about the research topics please contact Dr. Klaus Knopf (klaus.knopf@igb-berlin.de), for general questions about the graduate school please contact the speaker, Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel (impactvector@senckenberg.de).
Salary and benefits are in accordance with a public service position in Germany (50%). The contract shall start in June 2014 and will be limited to 3 years. The Leibniz-Association supports equal opportunity of men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply. Equally qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference.

Please send your complete application before February 11th, 2014 preferably by e-mail (attachment in a single pdf document, incl. a CV, copy of the master or diploma certificate, abstract of the thesis, letter of motivation, contact details of two references and the application sheet [downloadable at http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/
stellenausschreibungen/application_form_sgn.doc]), quoting Ref. # B 59, to the speaker of IMPact-Vector:

Herrn Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel
c/o Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt am Main
impactvector@senckenberg.de

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Postdoc position in Trentino, Italy

The Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology of the Research and Innovation Centre (CRI), Fondazione Edmund Mach, Trentino, Italy, is currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated

Post-doctoral Researcher

to join the new Biodiversity and Environment Group. This Group focuses or will focus on epidemiological and evolutionary aspects of interactions between pathogen and parasite communities and their animal vectors and hosts, including their microbiomes; however, the researcher’s own interests will also be considered. Experience and interest in one or more relevant fields (molecular ecology, genetic epidemiology, virology, metagenomics and/or functional biodiversity) with relevant knowledge of laboratory and bioinformatics training is required.

Because this is a fairly senior position, applicants should have an internationally recognized track record. We are interested in having an experienced post-doc join this group who is particularly capable of drafting scientific papers and grant proposals (hence, fluent written English is essential); however, the candidate will also be expected to perform laboratory genetic, genomic and data analyses, learn new techniques and optimize them in our laboratory, take oral presentation of results to national and international conferences/workshops, supervise of young researchers (MSc and PhD students, technician), and spend some time in the field on sample collection. The Group is currently involved in projects on arthropod vectors, rodent-borne disease, speciation and conservation genetics.

Currently, CRI comprises over 250 staff, coordinates international PhD programmes and operates research programs fully integrated with state-of-the-art genetics, genomics, metabolomics and GIS platform technologies. Almost 20% of researchers are now non-Italian.

The Fondazione is a non-profit organization, with private legal status. Employment conditions are in line with prevailing European standards, including benefits and a highly competitive salary scheme. The opening is effective immediately (although starting date is flexible) and will be for three years initially, with a possibility of extension and/or transformation into permanent positions for exceptional candidates.

Set among the Dolomites, Trento is a particularly attractive province of Italy, offering a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities for all ages (see www.apt.trento.it).

All candidates are invited to follow the application instructions at the link: www.iasma.it/CRI_lavoro_con_noi. See also Nature Jobs 28 April 2011.

Contact Heidi Hauffe (heidi.hauffe@iasma.it) for more information.

Closing date for applications: 31 May 2011.

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