[Coral-List] Post-doc available - crustose coralline algae

[John Pandolfi]

Centre for Marine Studies - University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Marine Palaeoecology Lab)

 

*         The position will conduct research on the effects of climate
change on the ecology of living and fossil coralline algae of Western
Australia. The position will undertake research within The Centre for Marine
Studies at the University of Queensland.  

 

In the role of Postdoctoral Fellow you with work within the Marine
Palaeoecology Lab at the Centre for Marine Studies.  The Centre for Marine
Studies (CMS) co-ordinates research and teaching on the ocean, coast,
estuaries and reefs across Queensland for the University. 

The position reports to Associate Professor John M. Pandolfi, in the Marine
Palaeoecology Laboratory at the Centre for Marine Studies.

The Project 

The putative effects of global warming on living coral reefs are hotly
debated, but no long-term modern data are available to gauge ecosystem
response. Using a comparative approach for species distributions and
community composition between living and adjacent fossil coral reefs found
along the Western Australian coastline, you will determine the degree to
which climatically-induced latitudinal range shifts in crustose coralline
algal species influences the assembly and maintenance of coral reef
communities. The research will use ecological data to broaden our ability to
predict the magnitude and impact of range shifts on coral reef ecosystems
during ongoing global warming.

The research is focussed on comparative ecological and biogeographic study
of ancient coral reef communities from multiple reef-building episodes
around the Last Interglacial (Pleistocene, Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e,
approximately 118 -135 ka - thousand years ago), preserved along a
latitudinal gradient exposed on the coast of Western Australia, and their
Recent (living) adjacent counterparts in WA.  Sea surface temperatures were
at least 2-3oC higher during MIS 5e than the modern, so a 'natural
experiment' allows the investigation of the regional effects of species
range movements on the taxonomic composition and diversity of reef taxa.

          The main aims of the work are to:

*         Establish the degree of correlation between latitude and the
occurrence of crustose coralline algae (CCA) species from living and warmer
Pleistocene reefs.

*         Determine the frequency, direction and magnitude of latitudinal
range shifts between Pleistocene and Recent CCA communities.

*         Investigate the degree to which ancient species range expansion
and contraction, resulting from global climate change, influenced modern CCA
community composition and diversity, and thus the ability of reefs to build
and thrive at Ningaloo and throughout their range in WA. 

Output of the project will not only involve a rigorous ecological study with
implications for reef building during future global climate change, but it
will also document the distribution and abundance of CCA species along the
WA coastline.  Given the critical role played by CCA in the facilitation of
coral recruitment, such studies are extremely important for the conservation
of biodiversity of WA reefs.  

 

The Applicant 

You should possess a PhD in the palaeoecology and/or ecology or systematics
of coralline algae, marine palaeobiology, or marine ecology.  The successful
candidate will have a strong track record of research and scholarship in
marine ecology or palaeoecology, as demonstrated by published research in
peer-reviewed journals 

 

This is a fixed term (2 year), full-time appointment as a UQ Postdoctoral
Research Fellow, level A. The remuneration package will be in the range of
$55,544 to $59,623 per annum base salary

plus employer superannuation contributions of 9%.

 

APPLICATION

 

Applications must consist of the following:

 

1.      Covering Letter.  The covering letter should include the vacancy
reference number, your contact address, e-mail address, and telephone
number.  It is an opportunity in not more than one page to introduce
yourself and highlight the key reasons you should be considered for the
role.

2.      Resume or Curriculum Vitae.  A resume is a brief history of your
employment and experience that covers at least the following areas:

*        Educational qualifications and professional affiliations that
detail the full title of the qualification, the year awarded and the title
of the institution attended; and

*        Employment history in chronological order, starting with current
position and specifying dates of employment, title of each position, name of
employer, main duties or accountabilities and achievements. 

3.      3 Letters of Recommendation 

*        The purpose of referee checks is to obtain, in confidence, factual
information about your past work history, as well as opinions regarding the
quality of your work, behaviour in the work place and suitability for the
position. A referee must be able to comment on your work experience, skills
and performance with respect to the selection criteria.  

*        The letters of three referees, including if possible a senior
person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit)
closely associated with your current work, are due at the time of
application.

4.      Selection Criteria.  A statement addressing how each of the
selection criteria have been met is required to assist the Selection
Committee to determine whether you have the relevant qualifications,
knowledge/skills, experience and personal qualities.

 

An academic curriculum vitae should include research fields and current
interests, publications (full list as attachment with three most significant
marked with an asterisk), research grants awarded and, if applicable,
details of teaching evaluation.

 

Applications and Referee reports are to be sent to:

 

Finance and HR Manager

Centre for Marine Studies

The University of Queensland

Brisbane  QLD  4072

 

Or email

 

f.meek at cms.uq.edu.au <mailto:f.meek at cms.uq.edu.au> 

 

Please note:

*        Applications should be typed;

*        Do not send applications that are bound or enclosed in plastic or
manilla folders;

*        Simply staple the application at the top left hand corner; and

*        Retain a copy for your reference because the University does not
return copies to applicants.

 

Obtain the position description and selection criteria online
(http://www.uq.edu.au/jobs/2006documents/bacs/3013714.doc
<http://www.uq.edu.au/jobs/2006documents/bacs/3013714.doc>  ) or contact Ms
Fiona Meek (07) 3365 3462 or f.meek at cms.uq.edu.au
<mailto:f.meek at cms.uq.edu.au> . Telephone or e-mail Associate Professor John
M. Pandolfi, (07) 3365 3050, j.pandolfi at uq.edu.au
<mailto:j.pandolfi at uq.edu.au>  to discuss the role. Send applications to the
Finance and HR Manager, Centre for Marine Studies at the address below, or
email f.meek at cms.uq.edu.au <mailto:f.meek at cms.uq.edu.au>  

 

Closing date for applications: 16 April 2006
Reference Number: 3013714

 

 

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John M. Pandolfi

Centre for Marine Studies and

     Department of Earth Sciences

University of Queensland

Brisbane, Queensland 4072

AUSTRALIA

Ph: + 61 7 3365 3050

FAX: + 61 7 3365 4755

e-mail:  <mailto:j.pandolfi at uq.edu.au> j.pandolfi at uq.edu.au

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