University of Gothenburg and ForBio workshop: Target capture for NGS sequencing

The Research School in Biosystematics – ForBio invites you to the University of Gothenburg and ForBio workshop: Target capture for NGS sequencing

This workshop will cover the methodology currently in use for generating DNA sequence data from multiple loci and individuals. It will cover all steps from design of probes to phasing of alleles. Emphasis will be put on basic understanding of the whole procedure, which pitfalls there may be, and demonstration of the use of software for different assembly, mapping, and phasing steps.

The format of this course requires students to have the specific objective of using these methods in their research, and students with PhD projects that include target capture will be prioritized.

Course teachers are: Isabel Liberal, Tobias Hofmann, Mats Töpel, Patrik Cangren
Credits: A 2 ECTS course certificate will be given to students that pass the course, either by GU or ForBio depending on their registration.
Time and place: Mar 21, 2016 – Mar 24, 2016, Botanhuset, Göteborg
Application deadline: March 1, 2016.
Information and registration: http://www.forbio.uio.no/events/courses/2016/target_capture.html

Contact Bengt Oxelman (bengt.oxelman@bioenv.gu.se) or Hugo de Boer (hugo.deboer@nhm.uio.no) for more information.

All the best,

ForBio/Hugo

ForBio Annual Meeting 2016 in Trondheim

ForBio is organising its annual meeting in Trondheim and registration is now open. ForBio annual meetings aim to gather scientists and students working on or interested in biosystematics in order discuss about current projects and results, share experience on methods and strengthen networking within the scientific community. This year, the meeting will be held in Trondheim, Norway, from Monday April 25th to Wednesday 27th. Registration deadline March 1st.

Keynote speakers will be invited to this meeting and will give valuable talks on the state of the art within the field of taxonomy and systematics, with the objective to inspire members on how cutting edge methods can innovate our field. We encourage attendees to use this meeting as an opportunity to present and discuss their own research as it provides a platform for exchange and dialogue about biosystematics.

There is no registration fee and you are all welcome to participate. ForBio members (PhD students and Postdocs) presenting their research (oral or poster) will have free travel and shared accommodation booked through ForBio.

For more information and registration please visit the website:
http://www.forbio.uio.no/events/meeting/2016/meeting2016.html

Best, Hugo/ForBio

PhD position in Systematic Botany at the Bergen University Museum

At the University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History, a temporary position as research fellow is open within the field of systematic botany. The position is for a fixed-term period of 4 years, of which 25% is work duty in the herbarium.

About the project/work tasks

The aim of the PhD-project is to improve our understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the species rich Potentilla argentea group. The project will address the role of polyploid and reticulate evolution in the group and clarify species delimitations. The work will include plant collecting in the field, molecular lab work, including the development of new markers, and phylogenetic analysis. The candidate will be a member of the research group Phylogenetic Systematics and Evolution.

Qualifications and personal qualities

• The applicant must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in evolutionary biology with relevance to Systematic Botany. Thesis work must be completed and graded before the application deadline.

• Experience with molecular and phylogenetic methods is necessary.

• Experience with plant morphological studies and taxonomic work is desirable.

• Experience with next generation sequencing methods is an advantage.

• Ability to work independently and in a structured manner, and to cooperate with others is expected.

• Proficiency in both written and oral English is required.

About the research training

As a PhD Candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree for a period of 3 years. A final plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty within three months after you have commenced in the position. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen. The PhD fellow will become a member of the Norwegian-Swedish research school in Biosystematics (http://www.forbio.uio.no).

We can offer

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.

• A modern laboratory with diverse research activities.

• Salary at pay grade 50 upon appointment (Code 1017, NOK 430.500). Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.

• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

• A position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise).

• Good welfare benefits.

 Your application must include

• A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position.

• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these must be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis.

• CV.

• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

• Relevant certificates.

• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).

• Any publications in your name.

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Associate Professor Jenny Smedmark, phone +47 55 58 33 51 / e-mail jenny.smedmark@uib.no.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply. The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified

if the request to be omitted is not met. The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/120496/phd-position-in-systematic-botany-at-university-museum

The Tromsø University Museum, University of Tromsø (UiT), is recruiting a ForBio coordinator/researcher in Biosystematics

This is a four year research position that includes 50% research and 50% coordination of ForBio.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and active researcher willing to organize ForBio courses and meetings and participate in teaching activities. The role of ForBio coordinators is to continue, expand and improve the work that ForBio has done during the last five years, by training the next generation of biosystematist in Scandinavia, strengthen their networks and improve the quality of the scientific outcomes. The full announcement with requirements and specifications is here: http://www.jobbnorge.no/nn-no/ledige-stillingar/stilling/119862/researcher-in-biosystematics-at-tromsoe-university-museum
Application deadline is January 3rd 2016.

The position’s affiliation
This position is attached to the Department of Natural Sciences, which is responsible for developing and maintaining scientific collections of objects (animals, plants, fossils and minerals) as well as public outreach including Tromsø Arctic Alpine Botanical Garden. The department has a permanent staff of 16, of which 9 are in academic positions. The department includes a research group in taxonomy and biodiversity, which focuses on diversity, phylogeography and taxonomy of northern organism using molecular as well as traditional methods. The department has laboratories for modern and ancient DNA analyses, and is currently involved in two large project: ”Ancient DNA of Norwest Europe” and ”Norwegian Barcode of Life”. The latter includes full genome sequencing of the entire Norwegian flora. For more information about the Department of Natural Sciences, visit: https://en.uit.no/om/enhet/tmu

The position’s field of research and other duties
The position is funded the Nordic Research School in Biosystematics, ForBio (http://www.forbio.uio.no/). ForBio is a teaching and research initiative coordinated by the Natural History Museum (University of Oslo), with Bergen Museum (University of Bergen), Tromsø University Museum (UiT The Arctic University of Norway) and the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) as collaborators. ForBio is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative/Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre. Most students at our courses are postgraduate students (PhD or post doc students), but some are graduate students and professionals.

For further information, please contact Prof. Inger Greve Alsos, e-mail inger.g.alsos@uit.no<mailto:inger.g.alsos@uit.no>, tel +47 77 62 07 96, head of Department of Natural Sciences, Karl Frafjord, e-mail karl.frafjord@uit.no<mailto:karl.frafjord@uit.no>, tel + 47 77 64 57 25, or Museum Director Marit Anne Hauan, e-mail marit.hauan@uit.no<mailto:marit.hauan@uit.no>,  tel. + 47 77 64 50 30. For further information about the work for ForBio, contact ForBio leader Hugo de Boer, hugo.deboer@nhm.uio.no<mailto:hugo.deboer@nhm.uio.no>, tel +47 98 12 60 30.

Please forward to relevant candidates!

Best, Hugo

ForBio and UiB course: Introduction to phylogenetic methods

Time and place: Nov 2 – Nov 6, 2015, University of Bergen

ForBio opens for participation of up to 8 students from Nordic universities in the regular University of Bergen (UiB) course Phylogenetic methods (http://www.uib.no/en/course/BIO332).

The course is aimed primarily at students who will do phylogenetic computation in their thesis work, but who have no hands-on experience with some of the more frequently used software applications. Introductory lectures will cover topics such as properties of data and trees, models of evolutionary change, phylogenetic signal, model testing, and hypothesis testing. The students will learn how to prepare their data, explore the properties of the data, how to use distance, parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian methods in computation in packages such as PAUP*, MrBayes, BEAST, RaxML, and how to present results with graphical applications.

Click here for more information about the course.

Application deadline is October 5th, 2015, and applications should be sent directly by email to: endre.willassen@uib.no. The application must indicate the academic background of the applicant and the topic and the present state of progress in the thesis work. Please add a recommendation from your supervisor.

Contact Endre Willassen (endre.willassen@uib.no) for questions about the course or Hugo de Boer (hugo.deboer@nhm.uio.no) for more information about ForBio.

ForBio workshop: Bayesian inference using BEAST

Time and place: Nov 2, 2015 09:00 AM Nov 6, 2015 05:00 PM, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo

The workshop aims to help those that have some experience of Bayesian model-based phylogenetics. The course focuses on issues relating to identification of priors, and the impact of different priors on posterior results.

Maximum number of participants is 26. If there are more than 26 applicants priority will be given to ForBio applicants best fulfilling the prerequisites given.

Application deadline is September 18, 2015.

For more information about the course: http://www.forbio.uio.no/events/courses/2015/beast_workshop_2015.pdf

To apply: https://nettskjema.uio.no/answer/67500.html

Contact Hugo de Boer (hugo.deboer@nhm.uio.no) or Stephan Nylinder (stephan.nylinder@nrm.se) for more information.

ForBio course: Introduction to Bioinformatics for Biosystematics

ForBio course: Introduction to Bioinformatics for Biosystematics

Time and place: Oct 5, 2015 Oct 9, 2015, Natural History Museum, Oslo, Norway

Basic programming skills are essential for handling large datasets and performing complex analyses in biosystematics. This course aims to provide the students with tools to solve practical problems often encountered in biosystematic research. Course topics include Python, R, and SQL. An introduction is arranged October 3-4 (Saturday and Sunday) for participants without previous experience of GNU/Linux and Bash.

Click here for more information about the course.

Click here to apply now.

Application deadline: September 11, 2015.

Extended deadline 31/7: ForBio and DialPast course ”innovation in science through science communication”

Dear Systematikföreningen!

There are still a few places left on this unique ForBio course. DialPast and ForBio course “Innovation in science through science communication”, taking place at Natural Science Library, University of Oslo, September 14 – 18, 2015.

In this course you will get training in communicating your own research and field to different target groups. You will get an overview of the different genres and new ways to communicate in order to achieve what you want. In addition to the basics, you will gain skills in scientific storytelling, essay writing, graphic design, oral presentations and interviews. You will learn how to visualise your own hypotheses and research, how to write a killer essay and news items, how to use essay writing in order to improve your own research process, how to talk to the crowd and journalists, and how to think more strategic about science communication. You will be coached to publish a killer essay or news item made during the course in suitable media. Other writing and designs are intended to contribute directly to your own research and scientific publications.

Deadline for applying is July 31, 2015.

More information about the course and how to register can be found at http://www.forbio.uio.no/events/courses/2015/scicomm.html

Welcome!

ForBio/Hugo and Magnus

Two former colleagues from Uppsala, Carolin Frank and Dave Ardell, who are now at UC Merced at the foot of the scenic Sierra Nevada, forwarded this job announcement for an assistant professor in Evolutionary Biology, including systematics and molecular phylogenetics:

Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology

The University of California, Merced invites qualified applications for
three tenure-track positions as part of a Global Change Sciences Cluster in
the Environmental Systems Graduate Group.  The ES Graduate Group brings
together a diverse group of faculty, graduate students, and research
scholars with a shared interest in interdisciplinary research of natural
and human-impacted environmental systems. The ES faculty belong to all
three schools of the campus, with representation from the faculty in
Engineering (Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and
Material Science and Engineering), Natural Sciences (Life and Environmental
Sciences), and Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts
(Geography/Cognitive and Information Sciences).

Positions include an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology (School of
Natural Sciences), an Assistant Professor in Ecological Theory/Modeling
(School of Natural Sciences), and an Open Rank Professor in
Environmental/Ecological Engineering (School of Engineering). Please
consult the job ads for more information and contact information specific
to each position.

Take a look at the full announcement:

http://jobs.ucmerced.edu/n/academic/position.jsf?positionId=4977

Phylogenetic exploration of medicinal plant diversity

MedPlant announces openings for 13 PhD (early stage researchers, ESRs)  
and 2 Postdoc (experiences researchers, ERs) positions across Europe.

MedPlant is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) supporting a
new generation of science researchers in Phylogenetic Exploration  of
Medicinal Plant Diversity. The successful candidates will participate
in the MedPlant Marie Curie international training network and will
work in a highly interactive international environment with other
Marie-Curie PhD students, researchers, authorities, NGOs and industry.

All positions are fully funded by the European Commission under the
FP7 People program. Candidates of any nationality can apply. Deadlines
November 15th or November 30th, 2013. Candidates must be able to start
March 1st,  2014 at the latest. Mobility and other eligibility
criteria apply. See details at www.MedPlant.eu.

PhD positions:
ESR1. Correlating evolutionary and chemical space using ChemGPS-NP.
Uppsala University.
ESR2. Phylogeny and phytochemistry of Icelandic lichens and club
mosses. University of Iceland.
ESR3. Domesticating deadly carrots. Predicting the biosynthetic
pathway of Thapsigargins for the treatment of solid tumours.
University of Copenhagen.
ESR4. Plantago major L. Travel tales of a worldwide weed. Predicting
chemotypes from migration routes and habitats. University of Copenhagen.
ESR5. Phylogenetic exploration of antitumor compounds in the giant
genusEuphorbia L. University of Copenhagen.
ESR6. Transmission of knowledge: a Nepalese case study. University of
Reading.
ESR7. Ethnobotany with the Chimalapas Zoque (Oaxaca, Mexico).
Reconstructing pre-Columbian Macro-Mayan medicine. University of
Cagliari.
ESR8. History of medicinal plant use in Europe: A phylogenetic and
organoleptic approach. University of Cagliari.
ESR9. Phytochemistry and phylogeny of incense plants. University of
Zürich.
ESR10. Cultural consensus and bioprospecting for anti-Chagas medicinal
plants in Bolivia. University of Bern.
ESR11. Tools for identification in support of legal and safe use of
medicinal plants. University of Reading.
ESR12. EDGE-MED. Identification of evolutionarily distinct, globally
endangered and potentially valuable medicinal plant species.
University of Reading.
ESR13. Substitution and adulteration of complexes of medicinal roots.
University of Oslo.
Postdoc positions (2 years):
ER1. Correlating evolutionary and chemical space usingChemGPS-NP.
AstraZeneca AB
ER2. Predicting in vivo CNS activity. High content evaluation of
physiological network-effects of complex plant extracts using
Caenorhabditis elegansas model organism. Dr. Wilmar Schwabe
Pharmaceuticals.

Nina Rønsted, Msc. PhD.
Science Coordinator of MedPlant ITN Network
www.MedPlant.eu
Associate Professor
Natural History Museum of Denmark
Sølvgade 83, Opg. S.
DK-1307 Copenhagen
Phone: +45 35 32 22 48
nronsted@snm.ku.dk
http://snm.ku.dk/english/forskning/projects/phylogenetic_prediction/