Postdoctoral researcher in "Population Genomics" Project D1.1 Ref.#D27a (Frankfurt)

The Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) is a interdisciplinary institute with the mission to carry out internationally outstanding research on the interactions of biodiversity and climate change on the organism level. It has been founded by the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, the Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, and other partners. The Centre is funded by the Federal State of Hesse through its Initiative for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence (LOEWE). It provides a new, dynamic research environment that integrates a variety of disciplines from both natural and social sciences. The Project Area D “Laboratory Centre” (Molecular Ecology Laboratory; headed by Markus Pfenninger) invites applications for the position of a

Postdoctoral researcher in “Population Genomics”
Project D1.1 [Ref. #D27a]

The applicant is expected to carry out cutting edge research in the field of population genomics with the model organisms (land- , freshwater snails, non-biting midges) of the group. Central aim is the identification of genes involved in the local adaptation to different climate regimes. Participation in university teaching is possible, while the acquisition of external research funding is highly desired.
The applicant should hold an earned Ph.D. in biology, with a strong background in population genetics, evolutionary ecology and/or genomics. She or he should already have experience with large data sets and should be interested in linking evolutionary and climate change issues. Practical experience in molecular work is desired. Applicants should have a strong publication record. Very good written and oral English language skills, willingness to learn at least basic German and interest in joining a multidisciplinary research team are required, as well as proven organizing abilities.

Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-H E13).
The Research Centre BiK-F advocates gender equality. Women and men are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Equally qualified severely handicapped applicants will be given preference.

The contract shall start 1th of January 2012 and will be restricted to 24 months. Review of the application starts on November 1st 2011 and will continue until the position is filled. The duty station will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Please send your application by post or preferably e-mail, including a detailed CV, 3 reference contacts, a list of publications and up to five selected re/e-prints before October, 31st 2011 to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. V. Mosbrugger, Scientific Coordinator Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. E-mail to Service & Administration: recruiting@senckenberg.de.

For scientific enquiries about the position please contact Prof. Dr. M. Pfenninger (pfenninger@bio.uni-frankfurt.de).

PhD position in Marine Ecology / Ecology - - Projekt B2.1 [Ref.#B50a] (Frankfurt)

The Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) is a new interdisciplinary institute with the mission to carry out internationally outstanding research on the interactions of biodiversity and climate change on the organism level. It has been founded by the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, the Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, and other partners. The Centre is funded by the Federal State of Hesse through its Initiative for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence (LOEWE). It provides a new, dynamic research environment that integrates a variety of disciplines from both natural and social sciences. The Project Area B “Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate” invites applications for the position of a

PhD position in Marine Ecology / Ecology
Project B2.1 [Ref. #B50a]

The main goal of the project is to model the distribution of marine benthos species in response to climate change. The successful applicant will investigate the impact of climatic factors on the distribution patterns of benthic organisms and develop methods to improve the performance of the modelling methods. We aim at applying new statistical quantitative methods for predicting changes of the functioning of marine benthic ecosystems in response to climate forcing.

We seek a motivated, organized, independent and enthusiastic candidate with an MSc(or equivalent) in ecology, marine ecology, or related disciplines. The ideal applicant will have practical experience in statistical methods to model species distribution and GIS. Knowledge and experience in marine benthos are desirable. We encourage application from non marine disciplines if the candidate has experience in distribution modelling methods.

Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-H E13, 50%).
The Research Centre BiK-F advocates gender equality. Women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Equally qualified severely handicapped applicants will be given preference.

The position is a 30 months employment, starting January 1st 2012. The project is carried out in cooperation with Dr. Henning Reiss, Marine Ecology group at the University of Nordland (BodØ, Norway), where the candidate will be enrolled as PhD student. The candidate will mainly work at Senckenberg am Meer in Wilhelmshaven (Germany) with abroad stays at the University of Nordland for one year in total. The candidate must be accepted into an accredited PhD program at the University of Nordland. Termination of the contract can be considered if the candidate is not accepted into an accredited PhD program within the stated deadline, fails to produce mandatory progress reports, does not display sufficient progress, and fails to perform mandatory duties.

Please send your application by post or by e-mail attachment, mentioning the reference of this position (#B50a) and including a letter outlining your suitability for the post, a detailed CV, contact details of 2 referees and a selection of your most important publications before November 5th, 2011 to: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. V. Mosbrugger, Scientific Coordinator Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
E-mail to Service & Admnistration: recruiting@senckenberg.de. For scientific enquiries please write to PD Dr. Ingrid Kröncke (Ingrid.Kroencke@senckenberg.de) or Dr. Henning Reiss (henning.reiss@uin.no).

Frankfurt a. M. 29.09.2011

Dr. Johannes Heilmann
Administrative Director

Bioinformatic investigation and prediction of gene regulatory elements in pathogenic fungi

The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute – in cooperation with the Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology are offering an international graduate training program.
The International Leibniz Research School (ILRS Jena) gives PhD students the possibility to prepare for their PhD exam in an ambitious program providing excellent research conditions.

We invite applications for a PhD Student Position (Ref.No. 06/2011)

Bioinformatic investigation and prediction of gene regulatory elements in pathogenic fungi

Understanding and modeling of gene regulation in fungi requires knowledge about transcription factors (TFs) and transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). The increasing number of sequenced genomes and the huge amount of gene expression data together with the availability of computational methods allow to predict TFs and TFBS.

In our research group, we surveyed the current knowledge about TFs in fungi and developed novel computational tools for TFBS prediction. Currently, we are establishing a database “FunTF” by using knowledge from literature about TFs and TFBS of pathogenic fungi. We reviewed methods of gene regulatory network reconstruction and developed novel bioinformatic tools for that task.

Within this project, our novel methods for TFBS prediction will be applied and improved by integration of the experimental findings stored in our database FunTF. A novel tool that integrates the RNA-seq data with the FunTF knowledge should be created to allow reverse engineering of the regulatory networks. RNA-seq from the fungal data should be exploited to refine the understanding of the organization of regulatory elements. These elements will be studied and modeled in pathogenic fungi, in particular Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans as well as the dermatophytes Arthroderma benhamiae und Trichophyton verrucosum. Special emphasis will be placed on the regulation of secondary metabolite gene clusters, which are in the research focus of the Hans Knöll Institute.

We expect:
-       a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences. Research at ILRS is centred around “Microbial and Biomolecular Interactions”. Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply.
-       high motivation and interest to join one of the research areas of ILRS
-       an integrative and cooperative personality
-       very good communication skills in English

We offer:
-       a top-level research environment
-       efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
-       a comprehensive mentoring program (cf. Program of Study)
-       courses in state-of-the-art technologies and soft skills
-       strong communication and interaction between the involved institutions
-       Jena – City of Science: innovative business activities, successful scientific centres and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich Schiller University

Further information:
Dr. Reinhard Guthke, PI                 reinhard.guthke@hki-jena.de
Dr. Ekaterina Shelest, PI
ekaterina.shelest@hki-jena.de
Dr. Christine Vogler, ILRS Coordinator  ilrs@hki-jena.de

For the first step of the application procedure please acquaint yourself with the scientific projects offered on our website

www.ilrs.hki-jena.de

and thoroughly fill in the “Statement of Interest” form downloadable from this site. The application procedure is handled online exclusively via the ILRS website. Applications in English including the completed “Statement of Interest”, curriculum vitae, copies of relevant certificates (MSc, BSc, etc.), and references should be submitted to:

ilrs@hki-jena.de

Deadline for application: November 30, 2011.