Postdoctoral position in the Program of Evolution and Development

Postdoctoral position in the Program of Evolution and Development, Department of Organismal Biology

The Department of Organismal Biology teaches and explores the evolution, development and function on the organismal level. For more information see www.iob.uu.se.

The Program of Evolution and Development studies the evolution and developmental biology of vertebrates, both separately and as an interdisciplinary research domain that aims to illuminate the assembly of the vertebrate body plan. There is particular focus on the deep part of the vertebrate family tree and correspondingly the early fossil history of the group, from the origin of vertebrates up to the fish-tetrapod transition, but we also study the development of Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems. A major current research effort is a systematic multidisciplinary reinvestigation of the origin of tetrapods, supported by an ERC Advanced Grant awarded to the Program Head, Per Ahlberg.

We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on fossil material collected in Greenland in 2022 as part of this tetrapod project.

Duties
To investigate the anatomy of newly discovered small tetrapods from the Late Devonian (approximately 359 million years ago) of Greenland. The research will be based entirely on synchrotron microtomography scans of specimens still enclosed in rock. Specific duties will include reconstructing and interpreting the anatomy from microtomographic data; analysing the phylogenetic relationships of these tetrapods; and presenting the conclusions in scientific papers targeted to peer-reviewed journals.  

Requirements
PhD degree in Palaeontology, Zoology or equivalent. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc. The candidate must have research experience in vertebrate palaeontology and must have fluent command of English. 

Additional qualifications
Experience of reconstructing morphologies from tomographic scan data. Research experience with the cranio-cervical anatomy of early tetrapods, especially of small forms such as microsaurs and lepospondyls.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 1 September 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact:
Per Ahlberg, tel. 0046 18 4712641, email per.ahlberg@ebc.uu.se

Please submit your application by 20 May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1537.

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