ACB - B: 7 research positions for Post-doc

CIBIO is a young and highly dynamic Research Center located close to Porto, in the north of Portugal, which aims to be an international Centre of Excellence in the fields of Biodiversity and Evolution, offering great opportunities for multidisciplinary research. The Centre occupies recently-built facilities, and now has approximately 55 researchers holding a PhD degree and more than 50 MSc and PhD students, as well as people from many different countries. The working atmosphere is vibrant and enthusiastic, and the CIBIO is regularly visited by many scientists from abroad. The Centre has fully equipped molecular laboratories (multiple PCR rooms, automated sequencers, real-time PCR machines, etc), as well as technicians, and the necessary equipment for fieldwork. In 2007, we were able to get 7 research positions, and successful research scientists came from places as different as Colorado, Alaska, Utah and Montpellier, among others, to work in molecular phylogenetics, biodiversity and conservation, theoretical population genetics and plant evolution. For 2008, we are now advertising seven 5-years full research contracts (www.eracareers.pt), and expect to recruit enthusiastic and highly motivated researchers in the areas indicated below. The positions are expected to start by the end of 2008.

1. Genetics of host-parasite interactions

A 5-year research position, renewed yearly, is available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), Portugal, in the area of genetics of host-parasite interactions. Although the exact field of research is open, the researcher is likely to work on the study of genetic variation at host candidate genes that confer resistance against diseases, possibly using the European rabbit as a model species, because these are prime candidates for undergoing adaptive evolutionary change. It would be desirable if the candidate had previous experience working with immunogenetic markers (namely MHC, immunoglobulin genes, cytokine and chemokine receptors), with particular focus on the molecular evolution of such genes as well as detection of natural selection and recombination events. The candidate must have a PhD and a minimum of 3 years postdoctoral experience. A sound knowledge of molecular evolution will be reflected in the candidate?s Curriculum Vitae, that evidences a significant publication record in SCI journals for the above-mentioned topics. Experience is expected in the supervision of postgraduate students (both MSc and PhD theses) and on the preparation, development and coordination of scientific projects. The candidate is expected to establish solid international collaborations, and be able to attract national and international funding. The candidate should also be a good communicator (speaking and writing fluent English) and may participate in teaching at MSc and PhD levels. Candidates will be assessed initially on their CV, followed by a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

2. Sexual selection and mating systems

A 5-year research position, renewed yearly, is available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), Portugal, in the area of behavioural ecology and evolution. Applicants should have a PhD Degree in Biology and a minimum of 3 years of research experience at post-doc level, preferably in the fields of ecology and animal behaviour. The researcher is expected to integrate a Behavioural Ecology & Evolution research group and will study animal behaviour from a multidisciplinary perspective, combining experimental analysis of behaviour with ecological and evolutionary work. Among the main research topics to be covered, special attention will be given to the evolution of mating systems, sexual selection and other reproduction related topics. Given the ongoing environmental alterations, a clear focus will be devoted to the analysis of some of the above-mentioned subjects in populations that inhabit the extremes of a species geographical distribution. As such, the candidate is expected to have experience in studying animal behaviour, both in the laboratory as well as in the field, and show solid knowledge in experimental design and biostatistics. Since some of the model organisms expected to be used are mainly marine, a diver's certificate may be considered useful. Additional key requirements involve excellence in research, translated into a significant publication record in SCI journals on the above stated topics, proven ability to build up independent research initiatives, such as established involvement in the development, preparation and coordination of research projects, PhD student supervising experience and a clear vision on national and international research priorities. A history of conference attendance and organisation will also be considered valuable. The candidate is expected to be fluent in English, as well as a good communicator, as he will be invited to participate in teaching at the MSc and PhD levels. Thus, prior experience in post-graduate teaching will be considered an advantage. The ranking of the candidates will result from the analysis of the Curriculum vitae together with a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

3. Evolutionary ecology

A 5-year research position, renewed yearly, is available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), Portugal, in the area of Evolutionary Ecology. Although the exact field of research is open, the expected researcher is likely to work on in the following aspects: 1) evolution of behavioural mechanisms for reproductive isolation between phylogenetically related species; 2) relative contributions of phylogeny, adaptation and phenotypic plasticity to the organisation of phenotype; 3) coevolution (cophylogeny and coadaptation) between organisms, particularly hosts and parasites; 4) competitive interactions between closely related organisms; and 5) character evolution in the phylogeny and mechanistic approaches for explaining distribution patterns. We expect a person with an interdisciplinary attitude, more oriented to the topics that to the techniques.

Experience with the organisms of the Mediterranean region is desirable but the candidate should be prepared to extend his/her research to other areas and ecosystems. The candidate is expected to develop strong collaborations with other researchers within the CIBIO, especially those working in phylogeny, population genetics and ecological modelling. The candidate should have a degree in Biology, a minimum of 3 years as Post-doc and a Curriculum vitae proving solid knowledge in ecology and evolutionary biology. The candidate should additionally have a significant publication record in SCI journals for the above-mentioned topics and supervised academic theses (both MSc

and PhD theses). Teaching experience at University level, as well as involvement in international scientific societies, will be appreciated. A history of conference organisation and attendance will also be considered valuable. Experience is expected on the preparation and coordination of scientific projects. The candidate is expected to build his own research group, establish solid international collaborations, and be able to attract national and international funding. The candidate should be a good communicator and speak and write fluent English, and will be invited to participate in teaching at the MSc and PhD levels. The ranking of candidates will result from a global appreciation of the Curriculum vitae followed by a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

4. Behavioural Ecology

A 5-year research position, renewed yearly, is available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), Portugal, in the area of Behavioural Ecology. Although the exact field of research is open, the researcher is likely to work on the general field of life history evolution in vertebrates and is expected to integrate a Behavioural Ecology & Evolution research group. This may include the evolution of reproductive behaviour (e.g. reproductive traits, sexual selection), sociality or immuno-ecology. The candidate is expected to develop field-based projects, although an interest in comparative analyses is also beneficial. It is further advantageous if the researcher integrates molecular tools in his/her work as this would make the most of the laboratory facilities available at CIBIO and would facilitate collaboration with existing groups. The candidate should have a degree in Biology, a minimum of 3 years as Post-doc and a Curriculum vitae proving solid experience designing and carrying out field experiments and performing sophisticated statistical analyses. The candidate should additionally have a significant publication record in SCI journals for the above mentioned topics and supervised academic theses. A history of conference organisation and attendance will also be considered valuable. Experience is expected on the preparation and coordination of scientific projects. The candidate is expected to build his own research group, establish solid international collaborations, and be able to attract national and international funding. The candidate should be a good communicator and speak and write fluent English, and may be invited to participate in teaching at the MSc and PhD levels. The ranking of candidates will result from a global appreciation of the Curriculum vitae followed by a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

5. Livestock population genomics and domestication

A 5-year research position, renewed yearly, is available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), Portugal, in the area of Livestock Population Genomics and Domestication. The candidate should have a solid research background in multiple livestock species, using multiple genetic markers, and show to have a good understanding of the domestication process, not only from the genetic point of view, but as well as possess a reasonable knowledge of anthropological and archaeological theories related with animal domestication. The candidate should also have experience working on the evolutionary and demographic history of livestock species. Accordingly, he/she is expected to master population genetics theory and be involved in studies for the detection of adaptive variation using population genomics approaches to better understand population history and the genetic basis of adaptation/performance in livestock species. It should have a full understanding of livestock species origins or worldwide patterns of genetic diversity distribution. It is appreciated if he/she already started to build a worldwide network of collaborators for future research in livestock population genomics and genetic resource conservation. The post will also likely involve collaboration with developing countries from regions considered potential centers of domestication or hot-spots of livestock diversity. Therefore, it is also expected that the candidate already have experience of working in those regions with local researchers. The candidate should have a PhD in biology, population genetics, animal sciences or related fields, a minimum of 3 years as Post-doc and a Curriculum vitae proving solid knowledge in population genetics and domestication of livestock species. The candidate should additionally have a significant publication record in SCI journals for the above mentioned topics and supervised or co-supervised academic theses (both MSc and PhD theses). A history of lecturing and organizing international advanced courses in this field will also be considered valuable. Experience is expected on the preparation and coordination of scientific projects. The candidate is expected to build his own research group, establish solid international collaborations, and be able to attract national and international funding. The candidate should be a good communicator and speak and write fluent English, and will be invited to participate in teaching at the MSc and PhD levels. The ranking of candidates will result from a global appreciation of the Curriculum vitae followed by a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

6. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

A 5-year research contract, renewed yearly, will be available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), University of Porto, in the area of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Applicants are expected to have an excellent research record and to show the potential to interact with other teams to create a new platform of bioinformatics and computation biology. The candidate should be able at first to interact with other teams from CIBIO helping them to solve scientific questions by developing new computational tools, applications, and databases. The candidate should have a degree in computer sciences, bioinformatics or biology and have a minimum of 3 years as Post-doc and a Curriculum vitae proving solid knowledge in bioinformatics/computation biology, with priority for knowledge in computer modeling and applications in a broad range of biological sciences, with special emphasis on genomics and comparative genomics, population biology, genetics, ecology. It is also expected that the candidate possess a moderate back ground in biology and a solid background on computer programming languages (e.g., C++, Java, ada, php, python, SQL), with all platforms (Unix, Windows, OS X, GNU) analytical statistics and new algorithm creation. The candidate should additionally have a significant publication record in SCI journals for the above mentioned topics and supervised or co-supervised academic theses (both MSc and PhD theses). A history of lecturing and organizing international advanced courses in this field will also be considered valuable. Experience is expected on the preparation and coordination of scientific projects. The candidate is expected to build his own research group, establish solid international collaborations, and be able to attract national and international funding. The candidate should be a good communicator and speak and write fluent English, and will be invited to participate in teaching at the MSc and PhD levels. The ranking of candidates will result from a global appreciation of the Curriculum vitae followed by a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

7. Island biogeography and systematics

A 5-year research contract, renewed yearly, will be available at CIBIO (http://cibio.up.pt), in the area of Island Biogeography and Systematics. The candidate should have a degree in biology and have a minimum of 3 years as Post-doc and a Curriculum vitae demonstrating good knowledge on the evolutionary and ecological processes determining biodiversity patterns, particularly on island ecosystems, with an emphasis on the Azores and other Macaronesian Archipelagos, and on the taxonomy and phylogenetic, phylogeographic, paleobiogeographic and neobiogeographic relationships of the island biota. The candidate should additionally have a significant publication record in SCI journals for the above mentioned topics and experience on the preparation, participation and coordination of scientific projects. A history of lecturing and organizing international advanced courses and scientific meetings in this field will also be considered valuable. The candidate is expected to establish solid international collaborations, and be able to attract national and international funding. The candidate should also be a good communicator and speak and write fluent English, and will be invited to participate in teaching at the MSc and PhD levels. The ranking of candidates will result from a global appreciation of the Curriculum vitae followed by a job interview. Salary corresponds to a gross annual income of 43000 euros (before taxes).

In all cases, applications including a detailed CV, a statement of research interests and motivation, as well as the emails of at least three referees will be accepted until September 30, 2008. The position is expected to start in November-December 2008, but the appointment of successful candidates is dependent on a final approval by FCT? "Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, www.fct.mctes.pt". Informal inquiries and applications should be addressed to:

Dra. Sara Ferreira

Gestora de Ciência e Tecnologia

CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos

Campus Agrário de Vairão, Universidade do Porto

4485-661 Vairão

Portugal

Telef: 351.252.660411

Fax: 351.252.661780

Email: cibio.up@mail.icav.up.pt

Nuno Ferrand de Almeida

1. CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos

Campus Agrário de Vairão