Postdoctoral fellow in evolutionary ecology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description
This project on coevolution in metacommunities combines ecological interactions in spatially structured communities, adaptive trait evolution and ecological speciation. The theoretical underpinning of our understanding of adaptive evolution in spatially structured communities is still largely incomplete. Only a handful attempts have been made to understand the problem more generally. The purpose of this project is to understand the build-up of diversity at local and regional spatial scales through adaptive radiations in coevolving communities. Special attention will be given to how trophic interactions affect the ecological and evolutionary structure in metacommunities. We will model adaptive trait evolution and ecological interactions under various spatial scenarios and determine the ensuing patterns of diversity and phylogenetic signals in consumer-resource, host-parasite, and mutualistic systems.

The following problems will be addressed:

 - Adaptive radiations and trait evolution in co-evolving metacommunities

- Ecological speciations and extinctions driven by trophic interaction in space

- The biogeography of sister species in two trophic levels.

- The importance and evolution of specialization in co-evolving communities

This is primarily a theoretical project. We are also using published data on the spatial phylogenetic signal and sister species distributions from a wide range of organisms, e.g. small rodents and birds, fish, birds and mammals and their parasites, and plant-insect mutualistic interactions.

The Department of Biology has a number of research units studying a range of ecological and evolutionary topics including aquatic ecology, microbial evolution, speciation, sexual selection, and host-parasite coevolution, and the postdoctoral fellow will be an integrated part across these different fields.

Qualifications
It is required that the applicants should have completed a PhD in Evolutionary Biology or Ecology within three years from application deadline. Candidates should have a keen interest in general evolutionary theory and demonstrate an ability to work both independently and in teams with other researchers, including co-supervising PhD and MSc students.

Experience and skills in the following areas is essential: theoretical evolutionary biology and population biology, mathematical modeling and programming and simulation (in Matlab, C++ or comparable languages).

Familiarity with evolutionary game theory and the theories of adaptive dynamics is desirable. Interest in and experience from population and community ecology is also an advantage for a successful candidate.

Fluent written and spoken English is essential with a strong record of publishing in internationally recognized scientific journals. The scientific aptitude and the ability to develop and carry out high-quality research within the subject area will be given special attention in the assessment of the candidate. Importance will be attached to the potential of the candidate to develop as an independent researcher.

Applicants should send a cover letter explaining their background, research interests and motivation for applying to this position, and a CV that includes publications and the contact information for two referees.

The employment is for 18 months with the possibility of prolongation for an additional 6 months.
Salary will be set according to the general regulations for postdoctoral positions at Lund University in relation to the number of years research experience and achievements.