Employment
Society members searching for personnel are encouraged to post job announcements
here.
Other announcements with protist relevance can be found at:
http://life.biology.mcmaster.ca/~brian/evoldir.html
Current announcements:
- Graduate Student Position: Molecular Systematics and Taxonomy of Entamoeba
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Application of Bioinformatics to Environmental Exposure Research
- Postdoctoral Fellowships: Acidocalcisomes and Molecular Parasitology
- Ph.D Fellowship: Molecular Parasitology/Protistology
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Alternative Nutritional Strategies in Antarctic Protists
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)
Graduate Student Position: Molecular Systematics and Taxonomy of Entamoeba
Posting date: November 20, 2009
One Graduate student position is currently available to work on molecular and morphological characterization of Entamoeba that infect invertebrate hosts (with possible expansion to other little-studied host systems). Masters of Science or PhD. candidates are welcome to apply.
The project will focus on the molecular phylogeny of invertebrate infecting Entamoeba accompanied by detailed morphological and life-history descriptions for α-taxonomy. Culturing of organisms from infected hosts will be attempted/optimized. Gene sequences will be obtained either from cultured organisms or from ‘environmental’ PCR from host gut-content DNA (1° SSU rRNA genes). Evolutionary relationships and history will be inferred from molecular phylogenies. Acquisition of multiple genes from each new isolate will be encouraged with the goal of generating a robust, rooted phylogeny.
Taxonomic revision and criteria for species designation and taxonomy of these parasites will be critically evaluated.
Starting date: Immediately. Search will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Contact: Applicants should send a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, and contact information for two references to:
Dr. Jeffrey D Silberman:
University of Arkansas
Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Biological Science, SCEN 601
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 USA
Email:jeff@uark.edu
Applicants must meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas and the criteria of the Department of Biological Sciences: http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/recruit/applying.html
http://biology.uark.edu/
[Min. GPA = 3.0]
[Min. TOEFL = 550 (paper), 79 (internet-based), 213 (computer-based)]
[GRE required]
More information on test requirements can be found at http://test.uark.edu/.
Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio (USA)
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Application of Bioinformatics to Environmental Exposure Research
Posting date: November 13, 2009
General announcement with application information
Brief Description of Research Project: The overall goal of this research is to apply next generation sequencing and microarray technologies to enhance EPA's ability to characterize waterborne microbial and chemical exposures. One aspect of the research will focus on the characterization of microbial communities, as well as their interactions with chemical contaminants, in specific ecosystems (e.g. biofilms) using next generation sequencing and microarrays. Another aspect of this research will focus on the identification of endogenous vertebrate and invertebrate molecular markers of exposure to microbial and chemical contaminants. This project is expected to help the Agency use bioinformatics to better understand the relationship between the presence of these contaminants in the environment and their human and environmental health impacts.
Educational Requirements: Ph.D. in biology, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a sub-discipline of one of these fields, or other related scientific discipline.
Specialized training and/or experience preferred: Familiarity with basic molecular, cellular, and microbial biology. Experience developing statistical models and applying machine learning algorithms. Experience developing custom code with a statistical programming language, such as SAS, S-PLUS, R, SPSS, or MATLAB. Experience developing custom code with a general programming language, such as Perl, C, or Java.
Scientific Contact/Principal Investigator*: Eric Villegas, Ph.D.: villegas.eric@epa.gov, Mitch Kostich, Ph.D.: kostich.mitchell@epa.gov or G. Shay Fout, Ph.D.: fout.shay@epa.gov
*These individuals may be contacted for additional scientific information about this project. These individuals are not authorized to accept applications, make job offers, set salaries, set start dates or discuss benefits. See general announcement for details on how to apply.
University of Georgia, Athens, GA (USA)
Postdoctoral Fellowships: Acidocalcisomes and Molecular Parasitology
Posting date: October 29, 2009
Post-doctoral positions are available in Roberto Docampo laboratory: (1) to study trafficking of soluble and membrane proteins to acidocalcisomes and the contractile vacuole; (2) to identify and characterize ion channels of acidocalcisomes, with special emphasis in calcium channels; (3) to investigate the isoprenoid pathway and search for inhibitors. We are looking for highly talented individuals with a keen interest in molecular parasitology. Please see the announcement for further information and contact Roberto Docampo for more information about this position.
University of Exeter (UK)
Ph.D Fellowship: Molecular Parasitology/Protistology
Posting date: October 29, 2009
Available immediately, a 3-year funded PhD studentship on Molecular Parasitology/Protistology is available in the Mitochondrial Remnants lab. Graduates with a good degree (BSc, MSc or equivalent) and interested in applying their knowledge and skills to eukaryotic microorganisms using the latest modern cell biological and molecular biology techniques should contact Dr. Mark van der Giezen (m.vandergiezen{at}exeter.ac.uk) to discuss their interests. Have a look at www.vandergiezen.org for further information.
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA (USA)
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Alternative Nutritional Strategies in Antarctic Protists
Posting date: October 23, 2009
A 2-year postdoctoral position is available starting February 1, 2010 as part of a project investigating Antarctic protists that have the ability to use both photosynthetic and heterotrophic nutrition (mixotrophs). The project will examine factors that affect mixotrophy and kleptoplasty with a goal of addressing gaps in our knowledge of carbon and energy flow in the Southern Ocean. The postdoctoral researcher will join a team lead by Robert Sanders (Temple University) and Rebecca Gast (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), and will work with cultures in laboratory experiments and participate in a planned oceanographic cruise in the Southern Ocean. Basic qualifications are a PhD in ecology, oceanography, or related field. Experience in protozoan and/or phytoplankton biology, including culturing, is expected. Previous training in molecular techniques is preferred, but not required. The position will be based at Temple University in Philadelphia PA, but the postdoc will also work closely with the Gast laboratory at WHOI. To apply please send an application letter, curriculum vitae and names of at least two professional references to Bob Sanders. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Robert W. Sanders
Department of Biology
1900 N. 12th Street
Phildelphia PA 19122
Ph. 215-204-2056
Fx. 215-204-6646
http://astro.temple.edu/~sanders1/
Email: robert.sanders@temple.edu