Swedish society Oikos: [Oikos-listan] Phd/postdoc positions

Dear all,

We have a Phd/postdoc position available @Greifswald University. Please spread!

PhD/Postdoc – Range expansion and dispersal strategies in a spider

Application deadline: 15.12.2016
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The department of General and Systematic zoology (Uhl group) is inviting applications for
the following position

Doctoral position (15 months initially, max 3 years) or postdoctoral position (15 months)

The salary is 65% based on the German 13TV-L scale. The position is funded by the German Science Foundation and imbedded in the Research Training Group (GRK 2010): RESPONSE: Adaptations to novel and changing environments. For information on GRK 2010 please visit the following website:

https://biologie.uni-greifswald.de/forschung/dfg-graduiertenkollegs/research-training-group-2010/

The position is offered for project B5: Dispersal strategies: Phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation within and between populations of a range-expanding spider

Background: Global climate change often results in poleward range expansions. A new and promising model species for rapid range expansion is the orb-weaving spider Argiope bruennichi that moved from the Mediterranean region into continental climates and up to Scandinavia and Finland within less than 100 years. Consequently, its current distribution covers very different climates and environments. The rapid northward expansion of A. bruennichi was probably facilitated by admixture of formerly isolated lineages through global warming, resulting in an introgression of Asian alleles into the central European genepool. Taking advantage of the available population genetic and phylogeographic data and a solid understanding of the biology of the species, we will investigate adaptive responses in dispersal behaviour within and between populations along a latitudinal gradient. Dispersal behaviour is of crucial importance for rapid range expansion as well as for establishing populations.

Project: We will investigate dispersal strategies of populations from the northern range limit (Baltic Countries), the original range (Mediterranean), and genetically distinct island populations from the Azores to determine causes and consequences of variability in dispersal behaviour. We hypothesise that (1) populations differ in the propensity to disperse with northern range populations showing the strongest and island populations the weakest propensity, (2) behavioural plasticity is strongest in northern populations since the shorter period for growth requires immediate responses to local conditions. In breeding experiments under varied conditions, we will determine the degree of genetic and phenotypic variation. We will further test the hypotheses that (3) dispersal probability is affected by resource availability, population density (response to chemical cues), the future risk of inbreeding, and sex, that (4) dispersing phenotypes are of better condition and have higher competitive ability than philopatric phenotypes and that (5) maternal effects partly determine dispersal behaviour through selective provisioning of eggs. The project is conducted in collaboration with Prof. J. Schneider (Univ. Hamburg, Germany) and Prof. D. Bonte (Univ. Gent, Belgium). The project entails field trips to localities within Europe as well as visits to partner groups.

Your profile:

M.Sc. degree (or equivalent), Post-docs can be considered with a shorter contract
Strong interest in the ecology of dispersal and in the genetic and environmental effects on trait variability
Solid knowledge in ecology and evolutionary biology. Insights into quantitative genetics is advantageous
Experience with experimental designs and statistical analyses as well as in rearing arthropods is advantageous
Very good oral and written English communication skills

The University of Greifswald is an equal opportunities employer. Applications of women are thus especially encouraged; applications of disabled persons will be given preferential treatment to those of other candidates with equal qualifications.

The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please state in your application the earliest possible starting date. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Gabriele Uhl (gabriele.uhl@uni-greifswald.de).

Please submit a cover letter (describing your research interests, experience and goals), your CV, copies of degree certificates and names of two possible references as one PDF file via e-mail to Gabriele Uhl (gabriele.uhl@uni-greifswald.de) until 15.12.2016.