[Coral-List] Postdoc Developmental biology and calcification in embryogenesis of scleractinian corals

[Jaap Kaandorp]

Postdoc Developmental biology and calcification in embryogenesis of scleractinian corals
at the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research


The NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research has a vacancy
for a postdoc for the project ``Developmental biology and calcification in embryogenesis
of scleractinian corals'' (full-time appointment for a maximum period of three years).


The project Developmental biology and calcification in embryogenesis of scleractinian corals
is financed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, NWO, research
program Computational Life Sciences. The project is a collaboration with the research groups
from Prof. R.P.M. Bak & Dr. J. van Bleijswijk (Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ),
Dr. J.A. Kaandorp (Section Computational Science, University of Amsterdam) and
Prof. D.J. Miller (James Cook University, Australia). The candidate is expected to collaborate
extensively with molecular developmental biologists and computational biologists.


The central research question we propose to investigate in this project is to characterize the
genes that control the differences in coral morphology for related coral species. We do this
by a quantitative comparison of gene expression patterns. We especially focus on genes
involved in the process of calcification. As a start, we will study the developmental process
in Acropora millepora larvae, in collaboration with Prof. D.J. Miller (James Cook University).
We aim to collect and analyze spatio-temporal gene expression patterns of genes involved in the
calcification process for different developmental stages. A better understanding of calcification
in corals is of fundamental importance in research on the potentially detrimental impact of
increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, reducing ocean pH and carbonate ion
concentrations on the calcification process in corals and other calcifying organisms. In
collaboration with Dr. J.A. Kaandorp (University of Amsterdam) a computational model of
calcification in corals will be developed.

Requirements
Candidates should have a PhD degree in molecular developmental biology with preferably an
expertise in cnidarians.  The Postdoc is expected to collaborate with computational biologists.
The Postdoc should be able to work in an international research team.  A strong research record,
evidenced by a PhD thesis and papers published in peer-reviewed journals is required. Fluency in oral
and written English is required. Motivation to travel to different countries  and integrate
efficiently in a new research team is fundamental.

Further information
Further information on the project can be obtained from : Dr. J. van Bleijswijk, Molecular Biology
Laboratory, Royal NIOZ, The Netherlands, tel +31 222 369521, e-mail: Judith.van.Bleijswijk at nioz.nl
or Dr J. A. Kaandorp, Section Computational Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands; tel. +31 20 525 7539; e-mail: J.A.Kaandorp at uva.nl or otherwise from Jolanda Evers,
Human Resources (Email: Jolanda.evers at nioz.nl, phone +31-222-369371) More information on the
application procedure, deadlines etc., research and our institute see: www.nioz.nl

-- 
Dr. Jaap A. Kaandorp
Section Computational Science
Faculty of Science
University of Amsterdam
Science Park 107 (new address name from 1-1-2009) 
1098 XG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 5257539 / +31 20 5257462
email: J.A.Kaandorp at uva.nl (please note new email address from 20-5-2008)
fax: +31 20 525.7419
URL: http://www.science.uva.nl/~jaapk/