Protorosaur phylogeny and palaeobiogeography PHD position in University of Zürich

Protorosaur phylogeny and palaeobiogeography

The Evolutionary Morphology and Palaeobiology of Vertebrates group at the Palaeontological Institute of the University of Zurich invites applications for a PhD position (3 years funding). The successful candidate will work in a Swiss National Science Foundation supported research project under the supervision of Dr. Torsten Scheyer. The PhD project will build upon an existing research program (http://www.msanchezlab.net/) and include museum visits world‐wide, palaeontological fieldwork, and lab work. Those interested should check our website for publications and current research projects.

 The current PhD project will involve studying the relationships of diapsid tetrapods (the clade also comprising all living reptiles) with a special focus on protorosaurs, including forms from the Middle Triassic World Heritage Site of Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland/Italy. The resulting cladistic analyses will be used as scaffolding for biogeographic analyses (applying, for example, DIVA and LAGRANGE methods) of the group. Details about the PhD project will be discussed during interviews with the best‐qualified applicants, which are also expected to provide input on the project development. The selected candidate will be expected to help in teaching and writing funding proposals.

The ideal candidate will be a highly‐motivated student of Life‐ or Earth Sciences with a biological or palaeontological background. Excellent writing skills in English are required, German language skills, as well as knowledge on fossil vertebrate/reptile anatomy and statistics is desirable but not mandatory. Perspective students are expected to have received their Masterʹs degree or equivalent by the start of the PhD.

The University of Zurich is one of the top comprehensive institutions in Europe and the city, in close proximity to the Alps, offers the conditions for an excellent quality of life. With a critical mass of researchers in Palaeontology and Evolutionary Biology, the University of Zurich offers an exceptional academic environment for research and study. The Palaeontological Institute and Museum further offers state‐of‐the‐art research facilities in an international and stimulating academic environment.

To apply, please send a letter of motivation (incl. information of previous scientific work and publications if available), a CV, contact details of two referees, and an electronic copy of your MScthesis to Dr. Torsten Scheyer (tscheyer@pim.uzh.ch). Please ensure that all those parts are combined into a single PDF‐file! Review of applications starts on November 20th 2015, but applications will be considered until the position is filled. Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by the end of November, beginning of December.

STARTING DATE OF PROJECT: January 2016 (negotiable).
http://www.pim.uzh.ch/
http://www.msanchezlab.net/

Assistant Professor in Vertebrate Biology. Ohio University

The Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio University invites applications for a full time tenure track position in Vertebrate Biology. Applicants should have broad research expertise in mammalogy and the ability to teach undergraduate human anatomy. Candidates with comparative and integrative research interests in ecology, evolutionary biology, behavior, physiology, and/ or conservation biology are strongly encouraged to apply. Primary teaching responsibilities include an upper level/graduate course in mammalogy and a human anatomy course serving a variety of preprofessional majors in the sciences. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to develop an independent and extramurally funded research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and interact with faculty and students of Ohio University’s interdisciplinary Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies (OCEES). Candidates are expected to have a PhD, relevant postdoctoral training, and evidence of scholarly research.

The application should include a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and future directions, a statement of teaching philosophy, and three reference letters. Applications must be electronically uploaded via the "Apply through website" button. The deadline for applying is October 31, 2015; application completed after this date are not guaranteed full
consideration.

 

 

PhD or equivalent degree, relevant postdoctoral training and evidence of scholarly activity are required.

https://www.ohiouniversityjobs.com/postings/16033

Maître de Conférence in Micropaleontology. Natural History Museum in Paris

A position of assistant professor (“Maître de Conférence”) in Micropaleontology will be opened next spring 2016 at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. Recruitment at the Museum and at Universities in France includes a special feature: the candidates must first be registered on the qualification list of the “Maître de Conférence”. If some of your postdocs are interested to apply for the assistant Professor position in Micropaleontology at the NHMuseum, they have first to register on the list of the “Maître de Conférence” of the National Museum of Natural History,section 36 -Terre solide : géodynamique des enveloppes supérieures, paléobiosphère

The deadline for submission of documents is October 22nd 2015.

Following French protocol, in order to be able to apply for the position, interested candidates must first be “approved” (\"qualifié\") by the French Ministry of Research. This approval procedure will be closed by the time the actual position description opens. Hence, only those who were \"approved\" will be able to apply for the position. The approval process, \"Qualification\", will close on October 22nd. And of course the procedure is in French.
Interested candidates should go to:
https://www.galaxie.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/ensup/cand_qualification.htm

More information:
http://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/cid22668/enseignants-chercheurs-note-d-information.html https://www.galaxie.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/ensup/pdf/qualification/Pieces_complementaires_exigees_qualifications2016.pdf

Eligible candidates should be qualified by Section 36 CNU, hence they should present for the \"qualification\":
- Copy of the PhD diploma
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Resumé of research, teaching, administrative and others activities (max 4 pages)
- Copy of the PhD thesis
- PhD jury report
- Publication list (with a letter of acceptance by editors for papers in press)
- A list of teaching experience (number of hours, level, description)

For more information about the position in MNHN, Paris contact:

Annachiara Bartolini, Pr MNHN, bartolini@mnhn.fr

El karst: secretos del Pirineo subterráneo

Ya está abierto el periodo de inscripción para para participar en la nueva edición del Seminario del Geoparque que se celebrará del 23 al 24 de octubre de 2015, que tiene como tema central "El karst: secretos del Pirineo subterráneo" y que en esta ocasión cuenta, además, con el patrocinio de la Comisión Nacional Española de Cooperación con la UNESCO. 

A lo largo de estos tres días aprenderemos qué es el karst y qué paisajes superficiales y subterráneos le debemos. Veremos cómo trabajan los geólogos en su interior y qué gestas han realizado los espeleólogos en las montañas de Sobrarbe en una actividad que va mucho más allá del deporte. Las aguas subterráneas serán también objeto de nuestra atención, así como la presencia del hombre en las cavidades de la comarca, testimoniada a través de pinturas, restos arqueológicos y leyendas. Y como siempre, también aprenderemos sobre el terreno con el impresionante patrimonio geológico kárstico de Sobrarbe.

La inscripción es obligatoria para todos aquellos que deseen acudir a todas o sólo a alguna de las actividades. Toda la información la Web del Geoparque.

Allodaposuchus hulki, un nuevo "cocodrilo" del final del Cretácico

Un equipo de investigadores del Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont y la Universidad de Barcelona describen en un trabajo publicado en la revista PeerJ una nueva especie de cocodrilo del Cretácico que convivió con los últimos dinosaurios del Pirineo. Allodaposuchus hulki es el nombre que se ha dado a la nueva especie en homenaje al superhéroe de Marvel "Hulk", ya que se trata de un animal muy robusto, con una musculatura muy desarrollada y, posiblemente, con mucha fuerza en las extremidades.

La nueva especie, bautizada con el nombre de Allodaposuchus hulki, fue descubierta en 2003 cerca del pueblo de Orcau (Pallars Jussà, Lleida). Los restos incluyen diversas partes del cráneo, vértebras, la cintura escapular y las extremidades anteriores de un mismo individuo. Presentan una serie de caracteres anatómicos únicos que han permitido a un grupo de investigadores del Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) y la Universidad de Barcelona (UB), encabezados por Alejandro Blanco, paleontólogo del ICP, describir la nueva especie de crocodiliano en un artículo publicado en la revista científica PeerJ.

El estudio morfológico y de las inserciones musculares de las extremidades delanteras demuestra que A. hulki era un animal muy robusto, musculoso y posiblemente con mucha fuerza en las extremidades", explica Blanco. Esta característica le ha valido el epíteto específico "hulki", en referencia a "Hulk", el conocido superhéroe de color verde de Marvel. La especie destaca especialmente por el desarrollo de la musculatura que permitía mantener las patas extendidas, destinada a mantener el voluminoso cuerpo del animal separado del suelo. "Su masa muscular es muy superior incluso en comparación con otras especies del género Allodaposuchus", comenta el investigador. Esta configuración posiblemente indicaría un andar semierguido y no reptante. 

Una de las características del género Allodaposuchus es la presencia de unas aberturas óticas (lo que serían sus orejas) muy amplias, de las que se desconocía su función. En este estudio, los investigadores han obtenido imágenes radiográficas con un aparato de tomografía computarizada que ha permite observar un complejo circuito de cavidades y senos en el interior del cráneo conectados directamente con la apertura ótica y que probablemente están relacionados con un agudo sentido de el oído. Además, estas cavidades aligerarían el peso del cráneo.

La combinación de un cráneo ligero, buen oído y una postura semierguida a la hora de andar parecen indicar que Allodaposuchus hulki era de hábitos preferentemente terrestres, con capacidad de realizar largas incursiones por los ambientes de ríos que dominaban el paisaje de los Pirineos hace 69 millones de años. En la zona donde se han recuperado los restos de A. hulki también se han hallado numerosos restos de dinosaurios y no se deben descartar posibles interacciones depredador-presa entre los dos grupos de animales.

El género Allodaposuchus es uno de los crocodilianos (grupo que incluye los actuales gaviales, cocodrilos, caimanes y aligatores, así como numerosas especies fósiles) más primitivos del mundo y se originó en la Península Ibérica. A pesar de que el género Allodaposuchus es endémico y de los más comunes en Europa hace entre 70 y 65 millones de años (periodo que coincide con los últimos millones de años de existencia de dinosaurios no aviario en la Tierra), la mayoría de fósiles recuperados hasta ahora correspondían exclusivamente a restos craneales.

-    See more at: ICP

Assistant Collections Manager, Invertebrate Paleontology

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks an Assistant Collections Manager (ACM) in Invertebrate Paleontology for 2 years of an NSF-awarded multi-institutional collections digitization grant: Documenting Fossil Marine Invertebrate Communities of the Eastern Pacific (EPICC)-Faunal Responses to Environmental Change over the last 66 million years.

Info: http://www.nhm.org/site/about-our-museums/working-at-nhm/jobs-nhm

The NHM’s East Pacific Cenozoic invertebrate collection is among the largest and finest in the United States and is richest in molluscs from the California Neogene and Pleistocene. Digitization of these collections affords a huge potential for a broad array of research and public programs.

The successful candidate will have a B.S. or M.S. in biology, geology, paleontology, or a related discipline, experience working with natural history collections, competence using computer databases (KE-Emu) of natural history collections, and knowledge of fossil invertebrates. The ACM will be responsible for supervising and training part-time interns, volunteers, and work-study students, implementing and adjusting an efficient digitization work flow, pre-digitization specimen curation, specimen photography, georeferencing, data entry and species verification, coordinating the integration of specimen records into iDigBio, and presenting progress reports to the Invertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager. The ACM will work primarily with collections at the NHM’s off-site invertebrate paleontology facility in Carson, CA.

Application deadline is Nov 25th, 2015. The position will be available as early as January 1, 2016. Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the full contact information of at least three professional references to thayden@nhm.org, Invertebrate Paleontology Assistant Collections Manager Search, Research & Collections, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA.

Australian Museum, Sydney. Branch Head, Natural Sciences

The Australian Museum operates within the NSW Department of Justice. The Museum provides access, engagement and scientific research to increase our understanding of natural history and culture, particularly of the Australasian region. The Australian Museum is the first museum in Australia; founded in 1827 its mission is to inspire exploration, understanding and care for our world. The Australian Museum is at an exciting time in its evolution with transformational development works underway and significant plans for the future expansion of the Museum.

About the role
This is a strategic leadership role that is responsible for leading and managing the Branch that represents, cares for and develops the Museum’s natural science collections, undertaking research on those collections and ensuring effective implementation of the Museum’s Science Strategy. The position reports to the Director Australian Museum Research Institute, Science and Learning. 

Essential Requirements
As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field of the natural sciences at the level of PhD or Masters.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in order to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus Capabilities outlined in the Role Description.

Key Accountabilities

• Provides leadership in the natural sciences, through commitment to the Museum's vision and goals and translation of the Museum's agenda into operational plans and ensuring that own behaviour aligns with the Australian Museum’s Code of Conduct, policies and procedures
• Implements plans and strategies that influence internal staff, external stakeholders and organisations and effectively communicate objectives to staff and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates an excellent knowledge of standards, legislation, policies and procedures relevant to the role and uses judgement and complex analysis of organisational issues to reach a solution.
• Communicates work requirements, delegates responsibility, seeks ideas and feedback from staff to encourage a team-based environment and monitors and directs multiple teams performing different functions. Directs others in their research and provides authoritative advice.
• Communicates with other teams and areas to coordinate activities and programs and to ensure accuracy, relevance and appropriateness of information the Museum provides to the public.
• Deliver influential presentations, facilitate audience dialogue, synthesise views and provoke further discussion in the field of natural sciences and as relevant to the Australian Museum Science Strategy.
• Prepare and manage the annual operating budget and monitor expenditure and cash flow for the Branch.
• Identify grant and other external funding opportunities relevant to the work of the branch.

More Information

Head of Research National Museum Wales

Head of Research National Museum Wales 

Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales has a strong track record of research across a wide range of disciplines and subject areas, including history, archaeology, art history, earth sciences, life sciences, conservation, collections management.

The Museum also has a growing research expertise at a national level in learning, interpretation, public engagement and museology – an expertise that will also be vital for delivering impact for future funding and partnerships. The Museum is recognised by Research Councils UK as an Independent Research Organisation. This new post is required in order to drive forward a coordinated and ambitious programme of well-funded and impactful research across Amgueddfa Cymru and ensure its success.

The Head of Research will work with senior staff in departments across the Museum and with external funders and research partners to set research priorities defined by the Museum’s Vision, ensuring that the Museum significantly increases its external funding, with the aim of making research projects self-sufficient, and develops excellent research that delivers the required outcomes for the Museum and the public.

The Museum has recently established a Research Advisory Committee of external experts and Trustees, to support the Head of Research in developing the Museum’s programme of research and to advise on strategy.

It has also created two new internal groups with representatives from different
departments – one to develop strategic partnerships with universities in Wales and beyond and bids to UK Research Councils, the other to develop European bids. Research is fundamental to everything the Museum does. The Museum now needs to prioritise, enhance and develop its research, driven particularly by the need to develop the focus on impact and evidence outcomes, and develop high-value projects with funding from Research Councils, the European Union and other sources.

The Head of Research will ensure that all research supports the Museum’s priority projects and services. The Museum has an ambition to develop a Research Department with staff and resources for research projects, and a key role for the personappointed will be to take this objective forward.

More info: http://www.geocurator.org/news/jobs.htm#488