Overview
We are seeking an independent and motivated graduate to fill a NERC studentship starting in October 2010 investigating genetic diversity, rarity and fitness in bumblebee (Bombus spp.) populations.
The project will be supervised by Dr Mairi Knight, Dr Jon Ellis, Dr Richard Billington (School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Mark Brown (School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK).
Project Description
There is growing recognition of the urgency with which we need to address the issue of pollinator declines, alongside general concern over the relevance and usefulness of our current approaches to measuring population viability and health in a conservation context. The studentship will sit alongside and build on an existing project, taking a comparative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing whether measures of neutral genetic diversity and population size are relevant as proxies for population viability, specifically quantifying how they relate to direct measures of fitness in bumblebee (Bombus) populations. The overarching aim of the project is to develop tools that are fit for the purpose of active population monitoring and management while at the same time directly testing widely adopted but increasingly queried theoretical assumptions linking rarity, genetic diversity, and fitness.
The project offers a rich opportunity for a student to develop a significant breadth and depth of key skills in the biological sciences, including field sampling, genotyping and genetic analysis, immunological and biochemical assays, and parasites/pathogen screening. The successful candidate would be based in Plymouth but would also spend some time developing specific skills under the supervision of Dr Mark Brown at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Qualifications and experience required
Candidates should have a demonstrable enthusiasm for this general field of study and hold a minimum of an upper second class degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Ecology, Genetics). We welcome applications from candidates with a relevant MSc or MRes.
No previous knowledge of the study organism or experience in field sampling, biochemical assays, molecular ecology or pest and pathogen screening is strictly essential although experience in any of these areas, particularly standard laboratory techniques, would be an advantage. A full UK driver's licence would also be beneficial.
Amount awarded
The personal maintenance stipend for NERC studentships for 2010/11 will be approximately £13,590 per annum (non-taxable). The position is open to UK citizens and EU citizens who have been resident or studied in the UK for 3 years.
For full eligibility requirements see http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp.
For further information or an informal discussion on the project please contact Dr Mairi Knight (mairi.knight@plymouth.ac.uk ).
General information on the supervisors' research profiles can be found on the University of Plymouth and Royal Holloway websites: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/bio and
http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/.
Interviews will be held week commencing 28 June 2010.
Applicants who have not received an invitation to interview by the end of June should consider that their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
How to apply
Please submit a covering letter with your application explaining your suitability for the post.
Further information
For further details on how to apply, please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply or contact Catherine Johnson (email: catherine.johnson@plymouth.ac.uk). Completed applications can be returned to: Catherine Johnson, Graduate School Research Office, Faculty of Science & Technology, Rm A504 Portland Square, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 18 June 2010
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this opportunity
We are seeking an independent and motivated graduate to fill a NERC studentship starting in October 2010 investigating genetic diversity, rarity and fitness in bumblebee (Bombus spp.) populations.
The project will be supervised by Dr Mairi Knight, Dr Jon Ellis, Dr Richard Billington (School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Mark Brown (School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK).
Project Description
There is growing recognition of the urgency with which we need to address the issue of pollinator declines, alongside general concern over the relevance and usefulness of our current approaches to measuring population viability and health in a conservation context. The studentship will sit alongside and build on an existing project, taking a comparative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing whether measures of neutral genetic diversity and population size are relevant as proxies for population viability, specifically quantifying how they relate to direct measures of fitness in bumblebee (Bombus) populations. The overarching aim of the project is to develop tools that are fit for the purpose of active population monitoring and management while at the same time directly testing widely adopted but increasingly queried theoretical assumptions linking rarity, genetic diversity, and fitness.
The project offers a rich opportunity for a student to develop a significant breadth and depth of key skills in the biological sciences, including field sampling, genotyping and genetic analysis, immunological and biochemical assays, and parasites/pathogen screening. The successful candidate would be based in Plymouth but would also spend some time developing specific skills under the supervision of Dr Mark Brown at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Qualifications and experience required
Candidates should have a demonstrable enthusiasm for this general field of study and hold a minimum of an upper second class degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Ecology, Genetics). We welcome applications from candidates with a relevant MSc or MRes.
No previous knowledge of the study organism or experience in field sampling, biochemical assays, molecular ecology or pest and pathogen screening is strictly essential although experience in any of these areas, particularly standard laboratory techniques, would be an advantage. A full UK driver's licence would also be beneficial.
Amount awarded
The personal maintenance stipend for NERC studentships for 2010/11 will be approximately £13,590 per annum (non-taxable). The position is open to UK citizens and EU citizens who have been resident or studied in the UK for 3 years.
For full eligibility requirements see http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp.
For further information or an informal discussion on the project please contact Dr Mairi Knight (mairi.knight@plymouth.ac.uk ).
General information on the supervisors' research profiles can be found on the University of Plymouth and Royal Holloway websites: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/bio and
http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/.
Interviews will be held week commencing 28 June 2010.
Applicants who have not received an invitation to interview by the end of June should consider that their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
How to apply
Please submit a covering letter with your application explaining your suitability for the post.
Further information
For further details on how to apply, please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply or contact Catherine Johnson (email: catherine.johnson@plymouth.ac.uk). Completed applications can be returned to: Catherine Johnson, Graduate School Research Office, Faculty of Science & Technology, Rm A504 Portland Square, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 18 June 2010
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this opportunity
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