News FeedPosition: Postdoctoral/Bioinformatics Scientist- Biogeography and Integrative Biodiversity Mapping
Description: The Biodiversity Synthesis Center at The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago invites applications from postdoctoral scholars or bioinformatics experts at other career levels for a Postdoctoral/Bioinformatics Scientist position in Biogeography and Integrative Biodiversity Mapping. Candidates should have a strong background in biodiversity science, in the areas of phylogenetics, biogeography, computer science, bioinformatics, taxonomy of megadiverse and understudied species groups and/or conservation biology. Positions require participation in Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) and Synthesis Center programs, with particular emphasis on building working groups and promoting synthesis of ideas. In addition, the analysis of biodiversity data sets as flagship examples of the use of phylogenetics and bioinformatics in the context of the EOL is encouraged. Positions are full-time, two years in duration, with possibility for renewal. Salary is in the range of $35-45,000, depending on experience, with the opportunity for obtaining grant supplement to the base salary.
Duties: This position will contribute to the incorporation of biogeographic information into the Encyclopedia of Life, including coordination of synthesis groups on biogeography and working with synthesis groups on the development of methods for the mapping and illustration of biodiversity data.
Responsibilities will include: (a) organization of, participation in, and preparation of reports from synthesis meetings on biogeography, (b) communication with biogeography colleagues and relevant informatics groups, projects and organizations in the US and abroad, (c) exploration and illustration of species distributions at multiple scales-regional, continental, oceanic, and global-using EOL resources, (d) synthesis of multiple databases for addressing biogeographic questions, including georeferenced specimen collections, geological databases, and meteorological data, (e) exploration and analysis of example datasets in biogeography and range mapping that employ the EOL and highlight its utility, (f) collaborative grant writing, publication and other efforts that involve the EOL.
Qualifications: PhD in a relevant scientific field such as biology or evolution; previous experience in biogeography, mapping applications such as GIS; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; interest in group leadership and synthesis of ideas from multiple disciplines; computer programming and/or database experience.
Instructions: Required application materials include CV, cover letter of application detailing interest and qualifications, and names of three references. Please apply by email attachment or request additional information by contacting Mark Westneat (mwestneat@fieldmuseum.org).
Deadline: Applications are currently being accepted, with target dates for review on the first day of each month, with review beginning Sept. 1, 2007 until the position is filled.