A PhD graduate assistanceship is available to study the conservation genetics of native freshwater mussels of Florida and the SE United States in the laboratory of Jim Austin at the University of Florida, Gainesville. This position will begin in August 2007. I am looking for an exceptional, self-motivated graduate student who is broadly interested in biogeography, evolutionary biology and the conservation of freshwater mollusks. This position will be part of a larger project to detail the diversity, status, and distribution of Unionidae in Florida.
A large number of species endemic to the state and adjacent portions of southern Alabama and Georgia characterize the Florida Unionidae, although their taxonomic status and distributions are poorly known. The successful applicant will be involved in phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of selected species groups, and will be expected to develop a independent research project related to the conservation of freshwater mussels in Florida. Potential examples include: comparative mussel-host fish evolution, community level comparative genetics, developing models to predict the impacts of water use and climate change on mussel distributions. Prerequisites
for this position include a MS in biological sciences, with preference for students with experience with population/phylogen etic tools, and an interest in, and knowledge of, freshwater mussel biology.
Additional skills with modeling, GIS, and field experience are desireable. Full support (12 month stipend, plus tuition) is available for three years, although students will be expected to be competitive for internal and external fellowships. Interested students should contact me at austinj@ufl. edu to discuss their interests further.
Please provide a statement of interest, CV, transcripts, at contact information for three faculty willing to write letters of reference. Visit http://plaza. ufl.edu/austinj/ for more information on the Austin lab. AUSTIN,JAMES D austinj@ufl. edu
[sursa moldova_doc]
