[Coral-List] PostDoc position available: comparative genomics and phylogenomics of non-bilaterian animals

[Gert Woerheide]

*LMU Munich, Germany: PostDoc position in comparative genomics and
phylogenomics of non-bilaterian animals.*

We invite applications for a PostDoc position in the project MODELSPONGE
funded by the LMUexcellent program through the German Excellence Initiative.
The project is located at the Department of Earth- and Environmental
Sciences (Chair of Paleontology and Geobiology) and the GeoBio-CenterLMU
of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München.

The phylogenetic relationships among non-bilaterian animals (i.e.
Porifera, Ctenophora, Cnidaria, Placozoa) and their relationships to the
Bilateria are still discussed controversially. This project will build
on recently published as well as unpublished in-house sequenced genomes
of sponges and other non-bilaterians to comparatively analyse their
genomes to further our understanding of early animal evolution. The
project is also aimed at contributing to resolve controversies about the
branching patterns at the base of the animal tree of life. Key
publications in this context from the lab include Philippe et al., 2009,
Current Biology; Pick et al., 2010, Molecular Biology and Evolution;
Philippe et al., 2011, PLoS Biology; Wörheide et al., 2012, Advances in
Marine Biology; Dohrmann & Wörheide, 2013, Integrative and Comparative
Biology; Nosenko et al., 2013, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
 
We are seeking a highly motivated applicant, ideally trained in
evolutionary bioinformatics, with excellent and demonstrated
(phylo)genomic skills, bioinformatics expertise as well as a sound
background in biology, who is willing to tackle the challenging task of
working with the genomes of non-bilaterian animals. The successful
candidate will also contribute to the lab's ongoing genome sequencing
efforts, contribute to expand the bioinformatic tools available in the
lab, and has the opportunity to contribute to teaching specialty courses
in the Master's programme. High-performance computing is available in
the lab (64-core LINUX cluster) as well as through the Leibnitz
Rechenzentrum (<www.lrz.de>).

The successful candidate will join an international and dynamic lab
focussing on the geobiology and evolution of marine animals. More
information about the lab can be found at <www.geobiology.eu>.

Requirements: PhD in Biology or Bioinformatics or related field;
demonstrated expertise and understanding of molecular evolution
including phylogenomic methods, demonstrated expertise in processing and
analysing Illumina NGS genome and transcriptome data; excellent English
language skills; excellent programming skills (e.g., in commonly used
bioinformatic languages such Perl, Python, etc.). Evidence of this
expertise must be provided through high-ranking international
publications. Prior postdoctoral experience is desirable but not
essential. German language skills are not necessary, the working
language of the group is English.

The position is initially available for 12 months, with possible
extension depending on performance. The position will be paid according
to the German salary scheme TV-L E13.

Application: Send application including letter of motivation, CV, PDFs
of max. 5 of your most significant publications, and contact details of
2 referees in a single PDF (only) by email to Mrs Monika Brinkrolf
<m.brinkrolf at lrz.uni-muenchen.de>. Application deadline is 15 May 2014.
Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Gert Wörheide
(woerheide at lmu.de).

The Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology &
Geobiology of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich offers an
excellent multidisciplinary research environment, one of its particular
strength being due to the close interaction between Geosciences and the
Faculty of Biology in the framework of the GeoBioCenterLMU
(http://www.geobio-center.uni-muenchen.de).

The LMU Munich is the leading research university in Germany, with a
more than 500-year-long tradition, and builds upon its success in the
Excellence Initiative, a Germany-wide competition promoting top-level
university research. Munich has been repeatedly voted Germany's most
livable city and is among the Top 5 most livable cities worldwide.

The LMU Munich is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and
has an affirmative action policy for the disabled.



Prof. Dr. Gert Wörheide
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Division of Paleontology & Geobiology
& GeoBio-CenterLMU
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and
Director, Bavarian State Collections of Palaeontology and Geology
Richard-Wagner-Straße 10
80333 München
Germany

Phone: +49 (89) 2180-6718
Fax: +49 (89) 2180-6601
E-Mail: woerheide at lmu.de
www.palmuc.de | www.mol-palaeo.de
Labnews: www.facebook.com/molpalaeo
Tweets: twitter.com/gwoerhe

Lab publications:
www.molecularpalaeobiology.eu
www.researcherid.com/rid/C-1080-2008