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

Subject description
The successful candidate will join the INVISMO project (headed by Emily Baird, Stockholm University) under the supervision of co-PI Niklas Wahlberg. The successful candidate will do a comparative study of vision in butterflies that live in different habitats, from closed forests to open meadows. The work will be carried out together with researchers in the INVISMO project, the Systematic Biology Group at the Department of Biology, Lund University, as well as a broad network of international colleagues.

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The postdoc project will involve generating and analyzing micro-CT images of butterfly eyes from a wide selection of species living in different habitats around the world. The generated data will be analyzed in a comparative phylogenetic framework, using existing phylogenetic hypotheses, to investigate whether the evolution of butterfly vision is constrained by development, or whether vision is a labile character that can evolve quickly in response to changes in the environment.

The successful candidate will be expected to do comparative analyses and potentially analyses of diversification dynamics, using the latest algorithms and programs. Experience with these is desirable.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. 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.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• Experience and skills in the following areas is essential: phylogenetic comparative analyses
• 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

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research
• Teaching skills

Additional assessment criteria:

• Experience and skills in the following areas is desirable: imaging techniques (especially microCT), knowledge of butterfly systematics, familiarity with the R environment
• Importance will be attached to the potential of the candidate to develop as an independent researcher

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008. 

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• a cover letter including a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages)
• contact information of at least two references
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered

For more information and discussion about the position, candidates should contact Niklas Wahlberg (niklas.wahlberg@biol.lu.se).