PhD position: Host-Parasite Coevolution, Germany

Job offer within DFG SPP 1399

PhD position: Host-Parasite Coevolution

We invite applications for a PhD position in the group of Animal Evolutionary Ecology at the Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Germany (http://ieb.uni-muenster.de/).

With the project host-parasite coevolution will be investigated, using the three spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus as a host and the cestode Schistocephalus solidus as a macroparasite. The research concept is based on comparisons of host-parasite pairs from different locations with differential evolution of parasite-virulence and host-resistance. In laboratory infection experiments, virulence traits of the parasite and immune traits of the hosts will be investigated, both, on the functional and molecular level. Excellent fish keeping facilities are available, which allow the controlled manipulation of temperature to mimic environmental change. Available techniques include micro array, quantitative PCR and flow cytometry.

Applicants should have a master’s degree or equivalent in biology or a related field. Background in evolutionary biology, immunology or parasitology and experience with cellular or molecular techniques are advantageous. Working language of the lab is English.

The project is supervised by Dr. Jörn Peter Scharsack and Prof. Joachim Kurtz and funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG; position according to TV-L E13/2). The project is part of the German priority program SPP 1399 on Host-Parasite Coevolution and thus includes comprehensive interactions with various research groups, e.g. for state-of-the-art genomic analyses, in particular with the Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology and the IFM-Geomar.

Münster hosts many excellent scientific institutions and is a dynamic city with a high number of students and a rich choice of social, cultural and sporting facilities (see http://www.muenster.de/en/ for further details).

Interested candidates should send applications (preferentially as a single E-mail attachment) containing a CV, a list of publications (if available), a research statement and the addresses of two potential referees to:

Dr. Jörn Peter Scharsack

Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, DE-48149 Münster

joern.scharsack-at-uni-muenster.de
Further Scholarship Information and Application

Closing date is August 15, 2009.