Doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Evolutionary Ecology

Department: Department of Biology
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Sciences is looking for a full-time doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Evolutionary Ecology

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis on the ecological drivers behind the geographic variation in osteoderm expression in Hemicordylus capensis using a combination of population genetic tools and ecological modelling. Osteoderms are bony elements present in the skin of disparate vertebrate species, and occasionally also in humans. Why they are expressed in some, and not other species, remains a mystery.
• You will investigate population structure using genomic and phenotypic data across 13 study populations.
• You will use species distribution modelling and connectivity models to test hypotheses on functional connectivity between populations, and to model predation pressure which is a potentially important driver of osteoderm variation.
• You will contribute to collecting field data, but the main task will be the ecological and population genetic modelling. You will be able to work together with two other PhD students that focus on the functional morphology and genetic architecture of osteoderm expression, respectively.
• You will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team consisting of Prof. Erik Matthysen (Evolutionary Ecology), Hannes Svardal (Evolutionary Genomics), Chris Broeckhoven (Functional Morphology).
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Evolutionary Ecology Group.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Biology or a related field or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You have a strong background in ecology and evolutionary biology.
• Experience in modelling is an advantage but not strictly required.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is 1 October 2021 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will do most of your research at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 1 September 2021 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Erik Matthysen, professor, at [email protected] .

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.