PhD Position in Historical Geology and Palaeontology at Uppsala University, Sweden

Uppsala University hereby declares the following position to be open for application:
PhD position in Historical Geology and Palaeontology
at the Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology

Starting date: Open from the application deadline

Palaeobiology and phylogeny of Cambrian lophotrochozoans

The Cambrian explosion some 540 Ma ago generated a large number of sclerite-bearing taxa whose relationships are beginning to be understood by use of the stem- and crown-group distinction. In particular, large numbers of putative lophotrochozoans (i.e. annelids, brachiopods, molluscs and their close relatives) are known, although their phylogeny is poorly understood. We intend to address this question by a large-scale study of the rich Cambrian fossil record of scleritome animals. One focus of the work will be a detailed analysis of exceptionally preserved lophotrochozoans from the Burgess Shale and Chengjiang.

Applicants should have a university degree preferably in palaeontology or zoology to work on these challenging problems. A working knowledge of the methods and principles of systematics is desirable. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. You should be interested in informing other people about your work; the ability to cooperate with others is important.

Applications should include a CV, university transcripts that include a list of courses and grades, names, mail and e-mail addresses of two referees, list of any publications, and a short (one paragraph) statement of research/career interests.

The holder of a PhD-student position shall primarily devote her/his time to own research studies. Other departmental work, such as educational or administrative can be part of position (max 20%).

The PhD position is four years where financing for the first year will by a postgraduate study grant (utbildningsbidrag) and the following 3 years as an employee of the university as a PhD student.

The applicant must be eligible for PhD studies. Priority is given to those who are deemed to show the greatest aptitude for a successful completion of graduate studies. Local guidelines at Uppsala University determine the salary levels.

For further information about the position, please contact Lars Holmer (Lars.Holmer@pal.uu.se). The trade union representatives are: Anders Grundström, Saco-rådet, phone +46 18 471 5380, Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST, phone +46 18 471 1996 and Stefan Djurström, Seko, phone +46 18 471 3315.

The application should be sent , preferably by e-mail to: registrator@uu.se, or by fax + 46 18 471 2000, or by mail to: Registrar´s Office, Uppsala University, Box 256, SE-751 05 UPPSALA, Sweden. In any correspondence, please use the reference number UFV-PA 2010/1421.

Application deadline on 1 July, 2010.