Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Marine Microalgal Physiology for International Students, University of Oslo, Norway

August 10, 2010

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Marine Microalgal Physiology for International Students, University of Oslo, Norway.

The CEES is a centre of excellence for integrative biological research and is well-funded. It provides a stimulating research environment, situated at the Department of Biology, with many young international and Norwegian scientists working on a variety of theoretical and empirical topics within ecology, evolution, population genetics, genomics, phylogenetics, molecular biology, and statistical methodology. The CEES is chaired by Nils Chr. Stenseth and currently employs 20 faculty members, 40 postdocs/researchers, 35 PhD students and 36 MSc students. Information about the centre can be found at:

The fellowship period is 3 years and starting date 1 January, 2011.

Job Description:

The position is funded by the Norwegian Research Council as part of a project that investigates climatic adaptation and long-term evolution in marine phytoplankton. This research project will study the adaptive response of marine calcifying algae (coccolithophores) to climatic change within a cross-disciplinary framework of fossil time series data, controlled culture experiments and evolutionary modeling. Bridging the fields of geology and biology, this research will study coccolithophore size variability in light of physiology, ecology and evolutionary theory. The post-doctoral fellow will use laboratory culture experiments to compile a comprehensive data set of physiological responses (growth rate, calcification rate and cell/coccolith size) of living coccolithophore species to changing environmental conditions (e.g. pH, nutrient availability). The planned short-term growth experiments will inform hypotheses regarding phenotypic plasticity in single genotypes. If it can be established within modern species whether the degree of morphological variation is an accurate measure of genetic variation, rather than phenotypic plasticity, then we can extrapolate this to the fossil record and test evolutionary models of genetic variation over longer timescales. Ideally, this project will go one step further and also assess the effects of climatic adaptation by monitoring several lines of coccolithophores over longer incubation times (months to years) comparing ambient and future climatic scenarios (e.g. high pCO2, low pH, high temperature, low nutrients).

Requirements:

The successful candidate must have a Doctors degree or equivalent in Biology (or other relevant field within Biological or Earth Sciences and Environment), preferably with speciality in marine botany or phycology. Extensive experience in biological laboratory methods, experimental work and microscopy is required. Experience in algal culturing (coccolithophores or other phytoplankton), marine biological fieldwork and/or biological oceanography or limnology will strengthen the application. Dissemination of the research through publications and presentations are important parts of this position. The successful applicant will also have to take part in administrative work connected to the project. Good writing skills and some experience with project management are thus desired.

A good command of English is required.

The application must include:

Application letter including a statement of interest, summarizing the applicant’s scientific work and interests and describing how she/he fits the description of the person we seek
CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity), including a list of published and unpublished works
Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records, letters of recommendation
A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic work that applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Closing date for applications: 1 September 2010

Further fellowship details:

Scholarship Tags: Fellow, International, Marine, Microalgal, Norway, Oslo, PHYSIOLOGY, Postdoctoral, research, students, University