The Paleobiology Database

The Paleobiology Database has sponsored a five-week intensive training workshop in analytical methods since 2005. As in previous years, the 2013 workshop will held at Macquarie University <http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/> in Sydney. Sessions are expected to be held between 17 June and 21 July.

Topics will include community palaeoecology, diversity curves, speciation and extinction, phylogenetics, phenotypic evolution, and geometric morphometrics. Both simulation modelling and data analysis methods will be employed. Training will combine lectures and labs. Participants will be given hands-on instruction in programming using R and taught to use other analytical software. In addition to the workshop coordinator, each week a new instructor will be present.

There is no fee for registration and participants will be housed for free in accommodations near the campus. Daily expenses such as meal costs are not subsidized but are only on the order of $10 to $15. Participants are encouraged to solicit travel funds from their home institutions or other organizations. A majority of airfare costs will be reimbursed if such funds are not available. There are no other charges of any kind and no other major expenses are likely.

Participants should be in the early stages of their own research in any area related to palaeontology and should have a background in basic statistics. The ability to understand rapidly spoken English is essential. Although the workshop is open to all undergraduates and advanced graduate students, first or second year graduate students are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from professionals who have completed their studies will be considered but are not given first priority. We strongly encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Applications should be submitted in PDF format to John Alroy (john.alroy@mq.edu.au). Applications should be mailed by midnight on Thursday, 28 February 2013 as reckoned in the Pacific time zone. A cogent explanation must be given for submitting an application after the deadline. Applications should consist of a one page statement. Do not include separate documents such as a curriculum vitae. No form needs to be filled out.

The statement should include a brief description of current research plans, a list of degrees earned stating the year of graduation in each case, a brief list of relevant classes taken, and an account of the applicant's previous use of statistics and knowledge of programming. Applicants who do not employ English as a primary language should describe their experiences learning and speaking it. Applicants are encouraged to explain why the topics addressed by the workshop are of special interest to them and to what extent these subjects are taught at their home institutions.

Applications must be accompanied by a recommendation letter, also in PDF format, written by the applicant's academic advisor and e-mailed separately. Obtaining a recommendation from anyone who is not an advisor must be explained. It is important that the recommendation give details about the applicant's personal character and abilities, not just credentials and descriptions of research projects. Recommendation letters also should be received by the end of the due date.