PostDoc position in comparative genomics and phylogenomics of non-bilaterian animals (LMU Munich, Germany)
We invite applications for a *PostDoc* position in the project MODELSPONGE
funded by the LMUexcellent program through the German Excellence Initiative.
The project is located at the *Department of Earth- and Environmental
Sciences*
(Chair of Paleontology and Geobiology) and the *GeoBio-Center^LMU * of the
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München.
The phylogenetic relationships among non-bilaterian animals (i.e. Porifera,
Ctenophora, Cnidaria, Placozoa) and their relationships to the Bilateria
are
still discussed controversially. This project will build on recently
published
as well as unpublished in-house sequenced genomes of sponges and other
non-bilaterians to comparatively analyse their genomes to further our
understanding of early animal evolution. The project is also aimed at
contributing to resolve controversies about the branching patterns at
the base
of the animal tree of life. Key publications in this context from the lab
include Philippe et al., 2009, Current Biology; Pick et al., 2010,
Molecular
Biology and Evolution; Philippe et al., 2011, PLoS Biology; Wörheide et
al.,
2012, Advances in Marine Biology; Dohrmann & Wörheide, 2013, Integrative
and
Comparative Biology; Nosenko et al., 2013, Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution.
We are seeking a highly motivated applicant, ideally trained in
evolutionary
bioinformatics, with excellent and demonstrated (phylo)genomic skills,
bioinformatics expertise as well as a sound background in biology, who is
willing to tackle the challenging task of working with the genomes of
non-bilaterian animals. The successful candidate will also contribute to
the
lab’s ongoing genome sequencing efforts, contribute to expand the
bioinformatic
tools available in the lab, and has the opportunity to contribute to
teaching
specialty courses in the Master’s programme. High-performance computing is
available in the lab (64-core LINUX cluster) as well as through the
Leibnitz
Rechenzentrum (<www.lrz.de>).
The successful candidate will join an international and dynamic lab
focussing on
the geobiology and evolution of marine animals. More information about
the lab
can be found at <www.geobiology.eu>.
*Requirements*: PhD in Biology or Bioinformatics or related field;
demonstrated
expertise and understanding of molecular evolution including phylogenomic
methods, demonstrated expertise in processing and analysing Illumina NGS
genome
and transcriptome data; excellent English language skills; excellent
programming
skills (e.g., in commonly used bioinformatic languages such Perl,
Python, etc.).
Evidence of this expertise must be provided through high-ranking
international
publications. Prior postdoctoral experience is desirable but not essential.
German language skills are not necessary, the working language of the
group is
English.
The position is initially available for 12 months, with possible extension
depending on performance. The position will be paid according to the German
salary scheme TV-L E13.
*Application*: Send application including letter of motivation, CV, PDFs
of max.
5 of your most significant publications, and contact details of 2
referees in a
single PDF (only) by email to Mrs Monika Brinkrolf
<m.brinkrolf@lrz.uni-muenchen.de>. Application deadline is 15 May 2014.
Informal
enquiries may be directed to Professor Gert Wörheide (woerheide@lmu.de).
The Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology &
Geobiology
of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich offers an excellent
multidisciplinary research environment, one of its particular strength
being due
to the close interaction between Geosciences and the Faculty of Biology
in the
framework of the GeoBioCenter^LMU
(http://www.geobio-center.uni-muenchen.de).