University of Warsaw | Assistant Professorship on Evolutionary Biology

Offer Description

The position of Assistant professor in the project “Long transoceanic dispersals or land bridges? Unravelling biogeographic patterns and the evolutionary success of the lizard superfamily Lacertoidea”. PI: Dr Mateusz Tałanda. Funding institution: National Science Centre.

Description of project: Lacertoidea are one of the major groups of modern squamates occupying various habitats across most of the continents. Their members are often a model organisms in studies on ecological niches, limb reduction, Dollo’s law, long transoceanic dispersals, and extinction selectivity. Despite of that, they are underrepresented in many phylogenetic studies and little is known about their Mesozoic evolution. This hampers not only our understanding of origins of its modern groups like teiids, amphisbaenians, and lacertids but also their sister group – Toxicofera (snakes, iguanians, anguimorphs). Here we will aim to fill this gap by gathering extensive 3D skeletal data from various modern representatives of the clade through computed tomography. Moreover, we will scan also Cretaceous lizards with potential affinities to the group. Obtained diversity will be used to build a new phylogenetic framework that will allow testing the affinities of Cretaceous lizards with Lacertoidea, as well as performing ancestral state reconstructions to the root of the group and to its split with Toxicofera. The results will help solve phylogenetic conflicts between molecular and morphological data, revise current biogeographic hypotheses about past dispersal events, evaluate role of extinctions in shaping current diversity, and bring paleontological context (history) for ecomorphological and evo-devo studies.

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on:

• Visits in collections of other institutions.
• Participation in team and lab organisation.
• Preparing photographs and 3D models of bones of studied fossils and extant lizards.
• Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses.
• Publication process and presenting results at conferences.

Skills/Qualifications

• Fulfill the requirements set out in Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, consolidated text)
• Only individuals who obtained their doctoral degree in biological sciences or a related field within 7 years prior to the start of employment are eligible to apply.
• Have significant scientific achievements documented by well-cited publications in renowned international journals, invitations to deliver lectures or seminars, etc.
• Have international experience, e.g.: participation in international conferences, engagement in international research projects, international collaborations documented by joint publications.
• Submit a research plan outlining personal scientific development.
• High proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Research competencies in the field of:
  • first-hand experience with phylogenetic analyses,
  • processing of 3D anatomical data,
  • herpetology with particular emphasis on osteology of modern and extinct reptiles,
  • first-hand experience handling and analysing fossil and extant specimens.

In addition, we expect:

• Experience in individual work with students (e.g., supervising theses) and science popularization activities.
• Experience in securing research funding.
• Good organizational skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to solve problems independently.
• Experience in preparing scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals, including as first author and/or corresponding author, commensurate with career stage.

Contact

Via email: m.talanda@uw.edu.pl

Source and more details: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/469220