A doctoral position is available in eco-evolution of pollinator viruses in the group of Prof. Dr. Robert Paxton.
The project in which the PhD student will be embedded aims to test
- whether viral pathogen spill-over from managed honey bees to native bumble bees, a consequence of human-assisted introduction of a novel viral vector to honey bees, has led to viral adaptation to novel hosts, and
- whether common and widespread hosts – but not rare and declining species – have coevolved an innate immune response to those pathogens. By focusing on bumble bees, a major pollinator group in temperate Northern Hemisphere, results of the project will address the conservation of an important group of ecosystem service providers.
Applicants must hold, or about to hold, a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) to start their PhD. Applicants with experience in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, entomological experiments and an interest in host-pathogen coevolution are particularly encouraged to apply.
A standard driving licence valid for Germany is essential.
Applications are only accepted via our application portal under apply.idiv.de mentioning the research project number. Candidates must upload a letter of motivation tailored to the research project, a curriculum vitae, the digital copy of the highest academic degree (e.g. master’s), and the recommendation letters from two scientific references.
The deadline for application submission is 01 January 2017.
Selected applicants will be invited for an interview in Leipzig in February, 2017.
For queries on the application process, please contact ydiv@idiv.de.
The initial contract is for 3 years with potential extension. The salary is in accordance with the German public service salary scale (TV-L E 13, 65% of a full time employment).
To apply, create an account and login on this link and specify the position number 34600515#01. For question about the research project, contact: robert.paxton@zoologie.uni-halle.de For queries about the application process, please contact ydiv@idiv.de Severely disabled persons are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.
https://www.idiv.de/fileadmin/content/Files_Flexpool/pdfs/PhD_34600515_01_Paxton.pdf
