Ecological and evolutionary significance of size in planktic protists

Two PhD fellowships are available as part of a broader research theme concerning size and diversity change of planktic protists in different areas of the world’s oceans and through geological time. The aim of the project is to obtain better insights into macroecological and macroevolutionary patterns and processes of size variability of carbonate and opal producing groups of the oceanic plankton and to contribute to fundamental questions of the interrealationship between natural global changes and the behaviour of an important part of the organismic world. The project is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), starting in October 2005.

Further information can be obtained from our web-site www.erdw.ethz.ch/thierstein or from thierstein@erdw.ethz.ch.

The successful candidates are initiative, curious, communicative team players with broad scientific interests. They have a university degree in geosciences, environmental sciences, oceanography, biology equivalent to our ETH Diploma or MSc degrees. The work will be under the supervision of Professor Hans R. Thierstein and Dr. Andy Weller.

Applications including the usual supporting evidence (CV, diplomas, list of classes taken, names of three referees, and a statement of research interests) should be sent to Prof. Hans R. Thierstein, Geological Institute, ETHZ CAB E 66 CH-8092 Zürich or thierstein@erdw.ethz.ch. Additional information can be found at our departmental homepage www.erdw.ethz.ch and at www.study.ethz.ch.

There is no deadline for applications but candidates will be considered for shortlisting from mid-October 2005.

Reference:
http://www.erdw.ethz.ch/prof_zusatz.cfm?ID_pr=3225&Profzusatz=172&language=2