Project description:
Most organisms reproduce sexually, despite high costs associated with this reproductive mode. In the last decades several theories have been proposed to resolve this “paradox of sex”. A particularly tough challenge to such theories are organisms that give rise to obligate asexual lineages, because such organisms should face the constant danger of being replaced by their asexual descendants. This project focuses on obligate asexual lineages within monogonont rotifers.
The PhD project aims at analysing the population level consequences of obligate asexuality in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. It is mainly concerned with the speed of adaptation in sexual vs. obligate asexual populations. The project relies on lab experiments at the individual and population level. Further techniques used/learned during this project include: microsatellite analysis, cryopreservation, as well as several technical skills involved in our automated culture systems, including computer programming.
The PhD project is embedded into complementary research themes of the working group, e.g. determining the genetic mechanism of obligate asexuality, or establishing the prevalence of OA in field populations. Further information on the lab can be found at http://www.oeaw.ac.at/limno/personnel/stelzer/stelzer.htm
The project is supervised by Dr. Claus-Peter Stelzer at the Institute for Limnology in Mondsee (near Salzburg, Austria) and funded by the FWF for 3 years (Project P20735-B17). Salary is according to the FWF pay scale (http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze_2008.html).
Applicants should be highly motivated and have a Master’s or diploma degree in biology, or in a related field. A solid background in evolutionary biology is essential for this position, and this should be recognizable by the Masters thesis and/or documented by several courses during the studies. Experiences in experimental design, statistics and PCR-based molecular genetic methods are also advantageous, but not absolutely required.
The Institute for Limnology is located in Mondsee, a small town in the Salzkammergut lake area. Mondsee is 30 km east of the City of Salzburg, which is also the location of the nearest university. The Institute has a staff complement of approximately 25, including 10 research scientists, who work on various areas in ecophysiology and evolutionary ecology of aquatic organisms.
Applicants should send a cover letter summarizing their research background and interest in the position, a CV, and contact information for two referees (everything as one PDF document) to claus-peter.stelzer<at>oeaw.ac.at, by 25. April 2009. The ideal starting date is 1. June 2009.
Back to PhD Scholarships Information
Back to Scholarships Information