Position Listings
Professional Positions
Professor of Palaeontology (W3), Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Faculty of Geosciences, University of Münster, Germany
Posting Date: 8 April 2025
Closing Date: 15 May 2025
The Faculty of Geosciences, University of Münster, Germany, invites applications for a Professor of Palaeontology (W3) at the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology. Applicants must have a strong background in research and teaching in the field of palaeontology.
The ideal candidate will have (1) a strong, international profile in field- and specimen-based palaeontological research with a focus on invertebrates; (2) broad expertise combining systematics with wider subject areas, e.g., palaeobiodiversity changes and dynamics, palaeoclimate reconstructions, or macroevolutionary processes; and (3) proven success in the acquisition of external funding.
We expect cooperations with other groups of the Institute and the Faculty of Geosciences and beyond (including, e.g., the CIBRA or the LWL Museum of Natural History), making full use of the institute’s resources and the Geomuseum in research, teaching and transfer.
The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching palaeontology in its full breadth in the B.Sc. and M.Sc. programs “Geosciences” and in associated B.Sc. programs (e.g., landscape ecology), which will include organization of field and laboratory courses as well as a contribution to multidisciplinary courses. In addition, the professorship will also take over the management of the Geomuseum.
To be considered for this position, candidates must have academic achievements made as a junior professor (assistant professor), in a Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification), as a member of the academic staff of a university or non-university research institute, or in a research position in business, industry or other relevant fields in Germany or abroad.
The University of Münster strongly supports equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions. We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate. The University of Münster is committed to increasing the proportion of international academics and researchers. We offer support with integration and also language courses to enable and support conversations and teaching in German (proficiency in spoken and written German is not required initially, but a willingness to learn German within three years is expected). We seek to fill the position for the summer term 2026, starting April 1st 2026.
Applications, including a CV, copies of degree certificates, a complete publication list, list of courses taught, list of externally funded projects, and your research and teaching concept, should be e-mailed as a single PDF file by 15 May 2025 to the:
Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences (dekangeo@uni-muenster.de):
Dekanat des Fachbereichs 14 - Geowissenschaften
Universität Münster
Heisenbergstrasse 2
48149 Münster
Germany
Further information about the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology can be found at: https://www.uni-muenster.de/GeoPalaeontologie/
Informal enquiries about this position may be made to Prof. Benjamin Bomfleur.
Principal Paleontologist, BCR Consulting, Claremont, California, USA
Posting Date: 21 March 2025
Closing Date: 25 May 2025
Pay Range: $72,000 - $123,000
Duties:
The Principal Paleontologist handles projects and directs the daily efforts of BCR Consulting’s paleontology department. Key duties include:
- Managing personnel to maximize efficiency and quality of work
- Scheduling staff for paleontological fieldwork
- Writing scopes of work and developing budgets
- Preparing/reviewing various compliance documents such as management plans and technical reports
- Keeping track of project statuses and managing their priority levels
- Cross-training staff with varying levels of paleontological experience
- Manage client and agency relationships
- Keeping up to date with appropriate environmental regulations
- Business development
- Acting as a representative of the company
Skill Requirements:
- Management of laboratory analyses and fieldwork
- Strong technical writing
- Supervision
- Efficiency
- Intimate knowledge of the CEQA, NEPA, PRPA, and other laws and regulations governing paleontological resource management
- Strong interpersonal communication and consistent follow up with clients, agencies, staff, and all stakeholders
Education and Experience
Must meet industry-wide and federal qualification standards for Principal Investigator/Project Paleontologist/Field Director; Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) qualifications are welcome but not mandatory. Candidates must have:
- Advanced degree in geology, paleontology, biology, or related field.
- 10 years of experience, minimum, in paleontological resource management, including project management experience
- Preference will be given to those with California-based experience
- Must have ability to be certified as a Principal Paleontologist in all southern California Counties that require certification requirements
How to Apply:
Email your resume with references to NickS@bcrcllc.com.
Natural History Curator, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Posting Date: 26 March 2025
Closing Date: 14 April 2025
Are you looking to be part of an innovative team of professionals dedicated to telling the stories of all South Carolinians? As the storytellers of South Carolina, the South Carolina State Museum (SCSM) strives to share the rich natural and cultural diversity of the state through its permanent collections, programs, and exhibitions. The SCSM is the largest museum in South Carolina, stewarding over 1.1 million objects and specimens and welcoming 5 million+ visitors over its 37-year history. The museum has recently embarked on a renovation of 150,000 square feet of its exhibition, programmatic and collection storage spaces occupying four floors of a historic 1890s textile mill on the National Register of Historic Places. Come be a part of our team “reimagining” what the South Carolina State Museum can be for our next generation of visitors, students, and scholars. You will also enjoy the opportunity to live in South Carolina with its mild climate, beautiful beaches, rich history, southern hospitality, and affordable cost of living.
Job Overview
The South Carolina State Museum seeks a dedicated and creative individual with a working knowledge of South Carolina’s natural history. The SCSM's natural history collection includes paleontological and modern biological material primarily from South Carolina and the surrounding region. This research collection is used regularly by scholars and information associated with this collection is included in publications and exhibitions. A qualified candidate for the State Museum’s natural history curator should have a strong background in paleontology.
This position will have a unique opportunity to be a part of our museum team that will be “reimagining” the museum’s permanent galleries for the first time since 1988. Through this major renovation project, we will expand the stories that are told, as well as the timeframe that is represented on the museum floor through our permanent collection. This major renovation project will provide a new and exciting opportunity to explore the diverse range of time periods and habitats that have existed across South Carolina throughout history and today. The Natural History Floor will be a major part of this project, providing a unique opportunity for this candidate to reinterpret and expand the museum’s paleontological focused gallery as well as our regional habitat galleries.
Collections Overview
More than 90% of the SCSM’s natural history collection consists of paleontological (fossil) specimens which focuses largely on vertebrate paleontology. The SCSM’s natural history collections also include extant vertebrate specimens, geological specimens (rocks, minerals, and meteorites), entomology specimens, and malacology specimens (extant and fossil). Candidates should be familiar with, and comfortable developing content associated with this type of material.
Responsibilities and Duties
Exhibition Development:
- Serves on the development team as we reimagine and reevaluate the permanent galleries that include specimens and reflect the Natural History of South Carolina and the region. This will include exhibition development of the museum’s permanent natural history galleries for the first time in more than 35 years and identifying how the museum’s collection can be better accessed and shared with our guests.
- Develops content to assist with related exhibitions and public programs for diverse audiences.
- Ability to develop presentations and interpretive exhibition panels.
- Serves as a member of the exhibitions committee, propose changing exhibitions and assists with the development and management of changing exhibitions. This includes developing concepts and interpretation, writing label copy, and incorporating collections where appropriate.
- Curatorial management of the museum's Natural History collection, including curating, researching, and cataloging the existing collection, acquisition of specimens, exhibition planning and conservation recommendations. The museum is in the early stages of adding the natural history collection to their EMu database, and in digitizing the collection and providing this information through an online portal.
- Physical management of the collection, including collecting, preparing, and conserving fossil specimens using standard paleontological techniques.
- Consults with appropriate state and federal organizations regarding museum planning and collections management while strengthening and building relationships with community leaders, scholars, collectors and organizations from our state.
- Works directly with the Collections Management and Curatorial Affairs Departments and museum staff in a team atmosphere with department-wide projects.
- Assists with the leadership of a major digitization grant and reporting as appropriate through the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- Assists the Collections Management department with the management of grant employees and volunteers associated with the Natural History collection.
- Work closely with the SC Institute of Archeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) to review quarterly submissions for the Hobby License Program for paleontological resources as required by the State of South Carolina’s Underwater Antiquities act.
- Responsible for public requests for information related to identifying fossils and other biological specimens.
- All other duties as assigned.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a focus on natural history in the areas of paleontology, geology, or biology from the Southeast.
- Minimum three years of experience working within a museum collection or other presenting cultural organization or research institution.
- Experience curating, researching and cataloging Natural History specimens.
- Experience with collections and exhibition development/management.
- Must possess a clear understanding of proper museum practices including object handling, documentation, and project management.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to travel statewide and stay overnight
- Must have a valid driver's license and be willing to drive vans.
- Must be able to lift 30-40 pounds.
- Must be able to use ladders and work safely and comfortably at elevated heights.
- Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Ability to maintain positive working relationships with a diverse group of people.
- Flexibility and adaptability, including a willingness to take positive action in a changing environment and to effectively analyze situations and problem solve.
- Demonstrated ability to work under deadlines and both work with a high degree of autonomy and participate effectively on a team.
- Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Must be self-motivated, take initiative, and exercise creativity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of paleontological history from the Southeastern United States.
- Master’s or PhD degree preferred.
- Experience using Axiell’s EMu collections management system is a plus.
Employer: State of South Carolina
Agency: State Museum Commission
Address: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29202
Phone: 803-898-4939
Salary: $46,655.00 - $86,321.00 Annually
Location: Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 174555
Agency: State Museum Commission
Division: Collections
Opening Date: 03/13/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Agency Specific Application Procedures: On-line Applications Only
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code: CE25
Slot Number: 0001
Position Number: 60012906
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Band: Band 6
Hiring Range - Min: $55,000.00
Hiring Range - Max: $70,000.00
Opening Date: 03/13/2025
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
To apply click here.
THE LANGUAGE USED IN THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE AND THE AGENCY. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE ANY CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OR ENTITLEMENTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NO PROMISES OR ASSURANCES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PARAGRAPH CREATE ANY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
Fixed-Term, Visiting, Postdoctoral & Technical Positions
Lecturer (Geological and Environmental Sciences), Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
Posting Date: 5 March 2025
Closing Date: 7 April 2025
Position Number: 098631
Position Summary Information
Minimum Qualifications
The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina invites applications for a non-tenure-track, nine-month faculty position at the rank of Lecturer beginning 01 August, 2025.
The requirements for the position are a M.S. in geology, environmental science or a related field.
Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)
We seek a geoscientist and/or environmental scientist with experience in teaching introductory and intermediate-level geology and/or environmental science lectures and laboratories.
Description of the Department or Unit
The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University is undergraduate-only with 20 faculty members and more than 285 students majoring in our geology and environmental science degree tracks. The department and the College of Arts and Sciences possess an array of analytical and field equipment that supports the research of 14 tenure-track faculty. More information about the department is available on our website (earth.appstate.edu). Appalachian State is a comprehensive university located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and is a member of the University of North Carolina System.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Teaching duties may include a mix of introductory general education geology courses, and sophomore-level “gateway into the GES major” courses depending on qualifications and department needs.
Introductory courses may include lectures and labs for: GES1101 – Introduction to Physical Geology, GES1102 – Introduction to Historical Geology, GES1103 – Environmental Change, Hazards and Resources, GES1104 – Water: Mountains to Sea, and/or GES1105 – Oceanography.
Sophomore-level courses may include: GES2250 – Evolution of the Earth, GES2750 – Careers in Earth and Environmental Science, GES2751 – Geology Field Methods I, and GES2752 – Environmental Science Field Methods.
Type of Position: Full Time Position
Appointment Type: 1.0
Number Of Months Per Year: 9
Physical Demands of Position
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Posting Details Information
Proposed Date of Hire: 08/01/2025
Suggested Salary Range: Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Qualifications.
ABD Description
ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate’s salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.
No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants
The candidate should have a M.S. or PhD at the time of appointment and must possess a strong commitment to undergraduate education. In addition to teaching, the successful candidate is expected to engage in service to the department, college, university, and/or community.
Applications must include a letter of interest (not to exceed 2 pages at 11pt font), curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy (not to exceed 2 pages at 11pt font), copies of transcripts of all college and university work (official copies due upon employment), and the names and contact information (including e-mail) of three referees familiar with the applicant’s teaching experience and potential.
Review of completed applications will begin 07 April 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants will be notified via email upon receipt of complete applications.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)): Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
Search Chair: Scott Marshall
Quick Link: https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/49644
Posting Number FA00490P
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Transcript-Undergraduate (Unofficial) - No Password Protected Documents
- Transcript-Graduate (Unofficial) - No Password Protected Documents
- List of References with Contact Information
Optional Documents
- Transcript-Doctoral (Unofficial) - No Password Protected Documents
Assistant Professor of Biology (Ichthyology/Ecology/Evolution), College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Virgin Islands, Orville E. Keane Campus, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Posting Date: 21 March 2025
Closing Date: 15 April 2025
Position Title: Assistant Professor of Biology
Position Number: 32100
Department
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) seeks to hire a full-time, non-tenure track professor at the Assistant level for Fall 2025. We seek faculty who will inspire and mentor students at all levels while ensuring high academic standards in a nurturing and learner-centered environment in keeping with our HBCU status. The successful applicant will teach, mentor in research, and advise undergraduates, as well as graduate students in the Master of Marine and Environmental Science Program (MMES). They will teach lectures and labs in multiple areas of biology, including research and problem-based learning, carry out an independent research program, advise and mentor students, and participate in University service and community outreach activities. The successful applicant will work productively with students and colleagues of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Job Description
CSM fosters, supports and rewards excellence in teaching, research and service. Our academic programs emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, written and spoken communication and other skills tailored to help students succeed. CSM is committed to helping students excel academically and achieve productive careers through programs in academics, research and community service. The College provides degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Physics, and Process Technology. It includes three research centers that bridge the STEM fields: the Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences, the Caribbean Green Technology Center, the Virgin Islands Center for STEM Education Research and Practice, and the Etelman Observatory. Opportunities leading to degrees in engineering and medicine at affiliated universities augment our degree offerings. The College also has student training programs supported by NSF, NIH, and DOE.
UVI is a publicly supported land-grant institution and member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It is the lead institution
for NSF EPSCoR funding for our territorial program Ridge to Reef Processes and Interdependent Drivers of Small Island Resilience (https://viepscor.org/). UVI’s mission is to educate and empower the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and the world through an environment that promotes creativity, innovation and excellence in teaching, student learning, research, and community engagement. As a uniquely American, English-speaking institution within the Caribbean and circum-Caribbean, UVI’s role as a producer/venue of thought leaders is critically important to the US Virgin Islands, the wider Caribbean, and the World. UVI is a community that intentionally engages individuals with diverse backgrounds, talents, skills, ideas, and perspectives to weave a vibrant learning and working environment
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Biology or related field from an accredited institution
- Demonstrated ability to teach lectures and labs in multiple areas of the biological sciences.
- Research interests relevant to the USVI Demonstrated ability to work productively with students and colleagues of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Commitment to lifelong learning and scientific research, academic and pedagogical advancement, and outreach to the local community through service and enhanced opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
All areas of biology will be considered, but preference will be given to individuals with expertise in one or more of the following: evolution, ecology, marine sciences, ichthyology, environmental science, botany. Ideal applicants will also be able to work collaboratively with other UVI faculty, especially those across the STEM fields and in our research centers.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the college level. An active, externally funded research program
Posting Details
Posting Number: F026
Location St. Thomas
Position Type Faculty
Number of Vacancies: part time 1
Posted Salary $60,000.00 - $65,000.00
Advertised Job Duties
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) seeks to hire a full-time, non-tenure track professor at the Assistant level for Fall 2025. We seek faculty who will inspire and mentor students at all levels while ensuring high academic standards in a nurturing and learner-centered environment in keeping with our HBCU status. The successful applicant will teach, mentor in research, and advise undergraduates, as well as graduate students in the Master of Marine and Environmental Science Program (MMES). They will teach lectures and labs in multiple areas of biology, including research and problem-based learning, carry out an independent research program, advise and mentor students, and participate in University service and community outreach activities. The successful applicant will work productively with students and colleagues of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Open Date: 02/28/2025
Close Date: 04/15/2025
Special Instructions to Applicant
Email is the preferred method of communicating with applicants at the University of Virgin Islands. You will be required to supply your email address during the application process.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment should contact the Human Resources Office at (340)693-1410.
For information about relocating to the US Virgin Islands, please visit the Virgin Islands Moving Center at: www.vimovingcenter.com
Internal or Externally Advertised? External
Reference Letters
References
Accept References Yes
Minimum Requests 3
Maximum Requests 4
Last Day a Reference Provider Can Submit Reference 04/15/2025
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Public Job Posting
- Internal Job Posting
- Agency Referral
- Advertisement/Publication
- Personal Referral
- Website
- Other
- Do you have any experience working in higher education?
- No Response
- Yes
- No
- Describe any work experience relevant to this posting. (Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching Philosophy
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- Research Statement
- Diversity statement
Optional Documents
- Other Document
- Writing Sample
Apply for this Job
Postdoctoral Fellowship (Cenozoic Mammalian Paleontology and Taphonomy), Department of Paleontology, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California, USA
Posting Date: 26 March 2025
Closing Date: 16 May 2025
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellowship position in the Department of Paleontology at the San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM). The James R. Colclough Paleontology Postdoctoral Fellowship supports research in Cenozoic mammalian paleontology and taphonomy. The Fellowship was created to honor the memory of James R. Colclough, longtime volunteer in the Department of Paleontology, and is funded by the James R. Colclough Paleontology Endowment.
OBJECTIVE:
The Fellowship is designed to advance the academic and professional training of the next generation of vertebrate paleontologists and taphonomists by providing them with the funding and facilities to pursue specific, time-limited research projects in association with Museum scientists and utilizing vertebrate fossil specimens and data housed in the SDNHM Department of Paleontology.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties will include conducting original research in Cenozoic mammalian paleontology and/or taphonomy, providing research assistance to the Curator of Paleontology, and introducing new technologies and analytical methods into the Museum setting. Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to be in residence at SDNHM full time and actively engaged in the SDNHM community. The position will include opportunities for interactions with colleagues at nearby San Diego State University, University of California-San Diego, and University of San Diego.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for this position, applicants must have received a PhD degree within the past six (6) years. Soon-to-graduate PhDs may apply, but all formal requirements for a PhD must be completed before the start of the appointment.
This is a full-time, position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
COMPENSATION:
Annual compensation is $68,640. Supplemental research funds also may be available. Appointments will typically be made for two years contingent on satisfactory progress in year one.
STARTING DATE:
On or after August 1, 2025.
TO APPLY:
Applicants should submit a cover letter (1-2 pages), a succinct statement (~700 words) detailing current work and research interests, an up to date curriculum vitae, a list of any publications, and the names and contact information for two professional references.
Please submit materials to tdemere@sdnhm.org by May 16,2025.
Educational Opportunities
PhD Scholarship (Reconstructing Holocene Fire Regimes on Kangaroo Island, Australia, Using Organic Fire Biomarkers), The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Posting Date: 21 March 2025
Closing Date: 30 April 2025
A PhD scholarship is available to international or Australian students to conduct research under the umbrella of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project on climate, fire and vegetation change on Kangaroo Island, Australia.
The scholarship includes domestic/international enrollment fees and an annual stipend of AU$35,300 p.a. (2025 rate). Research expenses will be covered by the ARC funding.
Ideally, we hope that the PhD candidate can commence in October 2025, but this can be negotiated. It is a requirement of the funding that the candidate commences before 31/December/2025. Applicants must therefore ensure that they are qualified by this date, and international applicants must consider the additional time required to obtain an Australian visa. We are happy to consider students who are currently studying for Honours or Masters degrees, to whom we may offer the scholarship subject to the completion of that degree to a sufficiently high standard.
We seek to create and maintain a vibrant, inclusive and diverse research group, hence applications from people of diverse gender or ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.
To be considered, please provide the following documents to adelaide25034@earthworks-jobs.com before 30/April/2025:
- A current curriculum vitae (cv; resume).
- A full academic transcript (undergraduate, Honours and/or Masters degree).
- A brief (1 page) summary of your research interests and experience to date; your aspirations for the future and how your skills and abilities are suited to the research project.
- A copy of an undergraduate or masters thesis, or research paper if relevant, which demonstrates your writing ability, research experience and expertise.
Following an initial selection process by the research team, the successful candidate will then need to apply for admittance to the PhD program through the standard University of Adelaide process.
Project background
Principal supervisor: A/Prof. Jonathan Tyler, Earth Sciences
Title: Constraining past climate and fire on Kangaroo Island, Australia: using organic biomarkers as proxies for past fire regimes
Keywords: Climate, fire, vegetation, biomarkers, geochemistry; environment, Quaternary, Holocene, sediments, palaeolimnology, lakes Bushfires, in concert with a warming and drying climate, present one of the greatest risks to economic and environmental sustainability in Australia and many other countries worldwide. Catastrophic fires are expected to become more frequent and intense over coming decades, threatening native plant and animal species, water resources, and human health. Conservation strategies require a deep understanding of how fire affects the development and regulation of terrestrial ecosystems on timescales of decades to millennia, including the role of people in the development and maintenance of those ecosystems. Records derived from sediment archives therefore provide essential knowledge to support the management and conservation of Australia's fire-threatened environments.
In this project, we aim to use organic biomarkers to reconstruct fire regime change on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, during the last ~10,000 years. Pyrogenic sugars (e.g. levoglucosan) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic molecules produced by incomplete combustion of wood. In comparison with charcoal, these organic biomarkers are often better preserved, dispersed more widely, and offer insights into fuel type and burn temperature via differences in molecular composition. We aim to better understand the production and preservation of these biomarkers through analysis of samples collected before and after a major bushfire in 2020. We then aim to use these biomarkers, alongside a suite of complimentary palaeo-environmental techniques, to reconstruct past fire regime change from sediment cores collected from multiple wetland environments.
Kangaroo Island is a globally significant case study, with a unique environmental history. The island is a 'biodiversity hotspot', host to a suite of endemic plants and animals. Importantly, knowledge held by several Nations of the adjacent mainland, supported by archaeological evidence, suggests that people ceased permanent occupation on the island by ~4,100 years ago. It is argued that since the island became uninhabited, a lack of cultural burning led to the characteristic dense and biodiverse modern vegetation. Today, this dense vegetation poses substantial fire risks to residents and economic assets, demonstrated by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20. These fires consumed >210,000 ha, nearly half of the island's vegetation, with widespread loss of wildlife and property.
Your tasks
We seek to recruit a talented, enthusiastic and independent PhD student to use organic biomarkers to reconstruct past fire regimes on Kangaroo Island. The project will include:
- Fieldwork: sampling soils and vegetation; sediment coring from wetlands.
- Conventional palaeo-environmental analyses: sediment core description; preparing samples for radiometric dating; interpretation of bulk geochemical data.
- Charcoal analysis, both conventional (particle counting, morphological analyses) and spectroscopic analysis.
- Organic geochemical analysis: preparation of samples for organic geochemical analyses; analysis of organic biomarkers using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Possible use of stable isotope geochemistry (on carbonates, organics or silicates) to reconstruct past hydroclimate.
- Data analysis and interpretation, including data presentation and statistical analysis in R/Matlab/Python.
- Communication: writing (papers; thesis), oral presentation, outreach.
Ideal candidate
Graduate in Earth Sciences, Geography, Environmental Science or related field with an Honours or Masters degree that required a substantial research project in a related field, completed to a high standard. Students who are still undertaking this degree are welcome to apply, with the aforementioned caveats around commencing the PhD by December 2025.
Essential
- willingness and enthusiasm to learn new analytical and/or numerical techniques.
- independent and inquisitive research mindset.
- ability to work as part of a team; positive interaction with peers, supervisors and collaborators.
- strong communication skills: writing, oral presentation and one-on-one interactions.
- strong time management skills and commitment.
Strongly favoured
- prior experience in Holocene/Quaternary palaeo-environmental research (palaeoclimatology; palaeoecology).
Valuable, but not essential
- knowledge and/or experience in organic or isotope (geo)chemistry
- knowledge and/or experience in fire ecology, terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology
- knowledge of climate science
- data analytical skills - e.g. programming or statistical analysis in R/Matlab/Python/other.
Please mention EARTHWORKS when responding to this advertisement.
PhD Studentship (The Comparative Anatomy of the Mammalian Larynx), School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
Posting Date: 28 March 2025
Closing Date: 31 May 2025
Principal Supervisor: Dr Jacob Dunn
Co-supervisors: Dr Emma Pomeroy (University of Cambridge), Dr Thomas O’Mahoney (ARU)
About Anglia Ruskin University:
Anglia Ruskin is a vibrant workplace, and our university is recognised both nationally and internationally. We have ambitious plans for the future, and we are determined that our students and staff will realise their full potential. Our main campuses in the cities of Cambridge, Chelmsford, London, and Peterborough have been transformed with major capital investment. With an annual turnover of over £200m, we are a major force for higher education and one of the largest universities in the East of England
About the position:
The larynx is the primary organ used for vocalization in mammals, housing the vocal folds and modulating airflow for sound production. Comparative anatomical studies of the larynx provide critical insights into the evolution of vocal mechanisms, revealing structural adaptations that underpin species-specific vocal capabilities. These variations reflect evolutionary pressures linked to communication, social behaviour, and ecological constraints. Understanding laryngeal morphology across taxa thus enhances our knowledge of vocal diversity, from human speech to non-human mammalian vocalizations, and informs broader studies in evolutionary biology and bioacoustics.
This PhD project will focus on the ‘Harrison Collection’, a unique collection of >500 mammalian larynges housed at ARU under Dr Jacob Dunn’s curatorship. This is the only substantial animal larynx collection in the UK, and one of very few in the world. The student will use laboratory and computational techniques, including diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (dice-CT), geometric morphometrics (GMM), and phylogenetic comparative methods (PCM) for evolutionary modelling. Laboratory work will be conducted at ARU, and CT scanning will take place at the University of Cambridge. Both GMM and PCM are desk-based methods which will be undertaken in the Morphology Lab at ARU, where we have high specification computing systems. Some data are already available from ongoing research, meaning that specimens have already been scanned and are ready for downstream analysis. The student may additionally gather socio-ecological and/or acoustic data from the literature to analyse alongside morphological variation and gain a deeper understanding of laryngeal evolution.
About the Studentship:
A 3-year studentship is offered, intended to start in September 2025, providing a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum plus a full fee-waiver. Funding is also available to cover research costs.
Project location:
ARU Cambridge campus, Cambridge, UK. Prospective candidates who would not be Cambridge-based are encouraged to contact the Principal Supervisor prior to application (contact details below).
Candidates for this PhD Studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be highly motivated to complete a PhD within 3 years, as there is no additional funding available beyond this deadline.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (or equivalent) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, the University will look closely at the qualities, skills, and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful and timely completion.
Desirable criteria:
- A Masters degree, or equivalent experience/qualifications, in a related field.
- Technical competence in one or more of the following areas: data handling, analysis, and visualisation in R; geometric morphometrics; 3D imaging from CT/MRI scans; phylogenetic comparative methods; bioacoustics; anatomy.
If you have any questions about the suitability of your qualifications or experience, please contact the Principal Supervisor, Dr Jacob C. Dunn (jacob.dunn@aru.ac.uk), to discuss your application.
How to apply:
To apply, please complete the application form available from the following website: https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/animal-and-environmental-sciences.
Please ensure the reference ‘PhD Studentship: The comparative anatomy of the mammalian larynx’ is clearly stated on the application form, under the title ‘Outline of your proposed research’. Within this section of the application form, applicants should include a 500-word outline of the skills that they would bring to this research project and detail any previous relevant experience.
Interested applicants should direct initial queries about the project to Dr Jacob. C. Dunn, the lead supervisor for the project via email: jacob.dunn@aru.ac.uk. You can read more about Dr Dunn’s research here: www.thepeergroup.org.uk.
For enquiries regarding the process and eligibility please contact SE-Research@aru.ac.uk.
Interviews are scheduled to take place in June/July 2025.
We value diversity at Anglia Ruskin University and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
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