Mail*Link(r) SMTP 2 postdocs for seaweed research
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH
and
UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE
Post-Doc 1: MOLECULAR SYSTEMATIST/GENETICIST (PHYCOLOGIST) (GBP 16k)
Post-Doc 2: ALGAL (OR PLANT) ECOPHYSIOLOGIST (GBP 16k)
Applications are invited for two postdoctoral positions, one at the
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), Scotland, and the other at
the University of Dundee, Scotland, to participate in a research
project on the molecular systematics and ecophysiology of the green
alga Enteromorpha.
The research has been commissioned by the UK government through the
Scottish Office and will be funded on the basis of a three-year
contract, with a starting date of 1 February 1997.
The main objectives of the project are:
- to analyse the taxonomic and genetic diversity of the Enteromorpha
populations in the Ythan estuary located in the north of Scotland
(post-doc 1, based in Edinburgh), and
- to characterise the Enteromorpha species or populations in terms
of ecophysiological characteristics which are especially relevant
to their potential as "nuisance" organisms (post-doc 2, based in
Dundee).
Post-doc 1 will be responsible for the molecular genetic analysis of
Enteromorpha populations from the Ythan, using DNA sequencing and
DNA fingerprinting (AFLP) methods. For this work an ABI 377 genetic
analysis system and technical support from RBGE staff will be
available, For reference purposes, samples of Enteromorpha
populations/species from localities elsewhere in Scotland or W.
Europe will also be studied. In order to determine whether
molecular-genetically defined taxonomic entities of Enteromorpha can
also be recognised morphologically, a microscopical study of the
same isolates will be undertaken. This part of the project,
involving image analysis techniques, will be supported by a
microscope technician at RBGE.
Post-doc 2 will be responsible for the ecophysiological
characterisation of a selection of the isolates used for the
molecular characterisation. The work will focus on analyses of
growth rates under multifactorial conditions involving various
combinations of temperature, photon flux densities, concentrations
of inorganic N, P and C, and salinities. The resulting data will be
related to the variables naturally occurring in the Ythan estuary
and to the genotypes identified by the molecular genetic analyses.
In order to determine the capacity to survive adverse circumstances
which occur in the estuary, selected strains will be subjected to
long-term adverse conditions in the laboratory and tested for
viability. The ecophysiological experiments will be supported by a
laboratory technician at Dundee University.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for Post-doc 1 has experience in molecular
systematics or molecular genetics of plants, preferably (but not
necessarily) algae.
For Post-doc 2, we are looking for an experimental ecologist,
ecophysiologist or marine botanist with experience in multifactorial
growth response experiments.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5 DECEMBER 1996.
Further details are available from, and applications (not by E-mail)
with full c.v. and the names and addresses of three referees) should
be sent to:
Post-doc 1:
Dr Hans Sluiman, Science Division, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,
Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, Scotland (UK). Telephone +44 131
4590446 ext.258, fax +44 131 5520382, E-mail: H.Sluiman at rbge.org.uk.
Post-doc 2:
Professor John Raven, Biological Sciences, University of Dundee,
Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland (UK). Telephone +44 1382 344281, fax +44
1382 322318.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (http://www.rbge.org.uk) and the
University of Dundee (http://www.dundee.ac.uk) are Equal Opportunities
Employers.
