Application deadline: 12.03.2010.
A PhD position in evolutionary biology focusing on the evolvability of allometry in plants is available at the Department of Biology. The fellowship is for three years with the possibility of up to four years including teaching duties to the Department of Biology. The position is within the NTNU Evolution, Ethology and Ecology group (EEE): (http://www.ntnu.no/biologi/eee)
The fellowship runs under the doctoral programme at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology. The faculty is the employer, and working place is Department of Biology. The Department of Biology has 36 members of faculty (professors and associate professors), 22 research scientists and about 66 PhD students and post docs. The department has research programs in evolutionary biology, population genetics, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, conservation biology and biodiversity, ethology, molecular biology, cell biology, plant and animal physiology and ecophysiology, aquaculture, and marine biology. There is considerable collaboration between the disciplines.
More information about the Department of Biology can be found at: http://www.ntnu.no/biologi/english.
Project background: Allometry captures the changes in relative dimensions of parts of the body that are correlated with changes in the overall size. Allometry is traditionally described as a power relationship between the trait size y and the body size x: . In this equation b, the allometric exponent, represents the relative growth of the two characters considered. If b=1, the two characters vary in size proportionally and the shape is conserved at any size. If b <1,>1, y increases in size more rapidly than x. The evolutionary significance and the magnitude to which adaptive evolution can change the allometric exponent are rather controversial. The allometric exponent, b has been initially considered as a constant with little or even no possibility to vary adaptively. However, some authors argued that some changes in b can be attributed to natural selection. This idea has recently received a renewal of attention with the hypothesis that traits presumably under directional selection should display positive allometry (b > 1), while traits under stabilizing selection should display negative allometry (b <>
Requirements: The position require a Master degree or similar within evolutionary biology and/or ecology. The applicant must be qualified for the doctoral program within these disciplines. Experience from work on plants in greenhouse is a serious advantage. Background in statistics and evolutionary biology will also be considered advantageous. We are looking for a hard-working candidate, highly motivated to conduct fundamental scientific research. Ability to carry out goal-oriented work, ability to deliver, oral and written presentation of research results, and good co-operation abilities will be emphasized.
In order to be accepted as a PhD student the grades of the MSc degree has to be sufficiently high (in Norway: B/2.5, or better), or the applicant has to document a similar level through later scientific work. Candidates from universities outside Norway are requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.html
The application must contain information on education, exams and previous practice. Publications and other scientific work which the applicant wishes to be taken into consideration must be attached. Multi-authored publications require a brief description of the applicant’s contribution, and should be enclosed.
The appointment of the PhD fellow will be made according to national guidelines for appointment of PhD fellows at universities and university colleges. Applicants are obliged to engage in an organized PhD training program, and an educational plan will be drafted that includes the attendance of courses and national/international meetings. The PhD student will also be expected to assist in the teaching of undergraduates. A contract regarding the period of appointment and the obligations of the PhD fellow must be signed by the fellow and the University. Appointment requires approval of the applicant's plan for a PhD study, and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis).
The appointment will be made according to the general regulations regarding university employees. The government work force of Norway should reflect the diversity of the population, and this is an “Equal Opportunities position”. The annual salary of the PhD position is NOK 355.400,- per year (code 1017, level 45 according to the government pay-scale for university employees). There is 2 % deduction for superannuation.
Questions regarding the position can be directed to: Associate Professor Christophe Pelabon (christophe.pelabon@bio.ntnu.no) tlf. +47 73 59 03 39 +47 73 59 03 39 .
Within the application deadline, applicants should submit the application, a CV, certified copies of certificates of education and other relevant documents, names of three references with e-mail addresses and phone number.
Applications should be sent electronically through
http://www.jobbnorge.no/
Preferably, we want the attachment in one file. Reference number: NT-10/10.
Source: http://innsida.ntnu.no/nettopp_lesmer.php?kategori=nyheter&dokid=4b7c0a503bc272.96619822
