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PhD Research Fellowship in Botany for International Applicants at University of Oslo in Norway, 2013

Natural History Museum (NHM), University of Oslo is offering fully funded PhD research fellowship under an EU FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN), entitled Phylogenetic Exploration of Medicinal Plant Diversity, MedPlant. The position will start from March 2014. International applicants are eligible for this PhD fellowship. Women applicants are also encouraged for this position. Application deadline is 30th November, 2013.

Study Subject(s): The fellowship is awarded in Botany at University of Oslo in Norway.
Course Level: This fellowship is available for pursuing PhD degree level at University of Oslo in Norway.
Scholarship Provider: Natural History Museum (NHM), University of Oslo.
Scholarship can be taken at: Norway

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Eligibility: -An MSc degree or equivalent in a relevant field is required.
-A strong academic record and training in molecular species identification, quantitative ethnobotany, and/or systematic are preferable. The project will require an independent and dedicated person, proficient in both written and spoken English.
-Good competences in French and/or Arabic will be considered as a plus.
-She/he should be able to work well as part of a team but also independently; be flexible and willing to travel for field and labwork; and have excellent communication and reporting skills. In filling this position UiO aims to recruit the person who, in the combined evaluation of competence, skills and documented qualifications, is judged most suitable to carry out and develop the work-in-hand and to contribute to a positive development of MedPlant and NHM.
-Primary supervisor is Dr. Anneleen Kool, Natural History Museum, and University of Oslo. Co-supervisors are Dr. Hugo de Boer, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, and Dr. Gary Martin, Global Diversity Foundation, Morocco.
-The PhD candidate will receive part of the training in market ethno botany during a flexible research stay totaling roughly 4 months with the Global Diversity Foundation, Morocco.
-The successful candidate will participate in a Marie Curie international training network and will work in a highly interactive international environment with other Marie-Curie PhD students, researchers, authorities, NGOs and industry.

Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: International applicants can apply for this PhD fellowship in Norway.

Scholarship Description: The trade of plant roots as traditional medicine is an important source of income for many people around the world. Destructive harvesting practices threaten the existence of some plant species. Harvesters of medicinal roots identify the collected species according to their own ethno classifications, but once the dried or powdered roots enter the chain of commercialization, accurate identification becomes more challenging. Species substitution and adulteration introduce both safety and efficacy concerns, but also reflect changes in availability that impact subsistence harvesters of wild-crafted medicinal. Molecular identification as a method is a powerful tool for root product identification, but is limited by the extent of the reference libraries and unsuitable for species of hybrid origin.

This project will investigate substitution and adulteration of complexes of medicinal roots traded in the markets of Southern Morocco. The objectives of the project will be: a) to develop methods for accurate species identification, in particular of complexes of species of possible hybrid origin (i.e. Anacyclus, Asteraceae; Silene and Corrigiola, Caryophyllaceae), using a combination of NGS whole genome sequencing and specific target-enrichment; b) to identify the drivers of substitution and adulteration, be that increasing demand, increasing value or decreasing populations, using fieldwork focused on collection of medicinal root products and herbarium vouchers, interviews with harvesters of medicinal plants, and market surveys of product diversity and herbal trade. Your key tasks as a PhD fellow are: Manage and carry through your research project Take PhD courses within the MedPlant network Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis Participate in international congresses and MedPlant network meetings Stay at a research institution abroad for a few months Teach and disseminate your research.

Number of awards offered: Not Known

Duration of award(s): Recruitment is done in accordance with the rules set out by the FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Networks. The successful PhD candidate will be offered a full-time Ph.D. position for a period of three years, contingent on a satisfactory performance, with the specific intent that it results in a Ph.D. degree and scientific publications. The fellowship requires admission to the research training programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Appointment to a research fellowship is conditional upon admission to the Faculty’s research training programme. An approved plan for the research training must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position, and the admission approved within three months.

What does it cover? We offer an exciting Europe-wide network of fellow MedPlant PhD students, postdocs, and their supervisors with whom you will collaborate during courses, summer schools, and other training activities. Salary based on salary level 50-55 (NOK 421 100 – 457 700 per year) A stimulating and friendly working environment; Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which provides and attractive welfare benefits.

Selection Criteria: Not Known

Notification: Not Known

How to Apply: The mode of applying is online.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The deadline for applications is 30th November, 2013.

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application