PhD positions in Historical Geology and Palaeontology
Two PhD positions are available in the Palaeobiology programme, Dept
Earth Sciences, University of Uppsala, Sweden, in the area of historical
geology and palaeontology:
Palaeobiology and phylogeny of problematic Cambrian
lophotrochozoans
The Cambrian explosion some 540 Ma ago generated a large number
of problematic sclerite-bearing taxa whose relationships are beginning to
be understood by use of the stem- and crown-group distinction. In
particular, large numbers of putative lophotrochozoans (i.e. annelids,
brachiopods, molluscs and their close relatives) are known, although
their phylogeny is poorly understood. We intend to address this
question by a large-scale study of the rich Cambrian fossil record of
scleritome animals. One focus of the work will be a detailed
analysis of problematic brachiopods within e.g. the Paterinida and
Mickwitziida to clarify details of the upper stem-group of the
brachiopods; another will be to critically examine the record of other
phosphatic and calcareous sclerites, with the eventual aim of clarifying
their relationships to the known record of Cambrian stem-group
brachiopods, molluscs and annelids. We are looking for two
motivated students, preferably with a background in zoology and
palaeontology to work on these challenging problems. This work
takes place in parallel with the ZOONET
(
www.zoonet.eu.com) Research
Training Network that is generating molecular data to address similar
issues.
The project is partly based on existing material, but will also include
new field work in Australia. A full range of up-to-date facilities for
standard palaeontological work including ultrastructural work are
available.
Requirements. Master´s degree or equivalent in either zoology or
palaeontology. A working knowledge of systematic method would be
desirable. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
Applications should include CV, copies of diplomas and/or college courses
transcripts, names, mail and e-mail addresses of two referees, list of
any publications, and a short (one paragraph) statement of
research/career interests.
Contact: Lars Holmer
(
Lars.Holmer@pal.uu.se),
Anette Högström
(
Anette.Hogstrom@pal.uu.se
), Graham Budd
(
graham.budd@pal.uu.se)
It is hoped that these positions can be filled as soon as possible.
Please send applications to John S. Peel
(John.Peel@pal.uu.se),
Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Norbyvägen 22, Uppsala,
SE-752 36, Sweden, preferably by email, by 3rd March
2006.
______________________
Lars Holmer
Uppsala University
Department of Earth Sciences / Palaeobiology
Norbyv. 22, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden
______________________________________
phone: +46-18-4712761 mobile: 070-4682655
fax: +46-18-4712749
e-mail: Lars.Holmer@pal.uu.se
http://www.palaeontology.geo.uu.se/pershems/LarsHolmer.html
http://www.palaeontology.geo.uu.se/Mainpages/Brachiopoda/brachiopoda.htm
http://www.palaeontology.geo.uu.se/Mainpages/Courses.html
______________________________________