Funding source: National Science Center grant OPUS-19 nr UMO-2020/37/B/NZ8/02496 "High-throughput DNA sequencing on historical collections of beetles: phylogenetic studies among Platynotini (Tenebrionidae)"

Key words: systematics, phylogeny, morphology, beetles, NGS

Principal Investigator: dr hab. Marcin Jan Kamiński, Ph.D.

Scholarship (gross salary): 5,000 PLN per month until 2025-01-25 (NCN scholarship);  after thius period a doctoral scholarship.

Application deadline: May 4, 2021

Location: Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland)

Description:

A Ph.D. position is available for a motivated student to work on an NCN-funded project entitled:  High-throughput DNA sequencing on historical collections of beetles: phylogenetic studies among Platynotini (Tenebrionidae) with Dr. Marcin Kaminski (http://kaminskientomo.org/) in the MIZ PAN in Warsaw, Poland. The project strongly relies on museomics (i.e., acquiring genomic sequence data from museum specimens), and aims to address questions on the biogeography and morphological evolution of beetles. The student will be responsible for organizing and conducting work on the southern African subtribe Eurynotina, which currently contains 16 genera and over 90 species. Dr. Kaminski’s lab is located in the main headquarters of the Museum and Institute of Zoology (Polish Academy of Sciences) in Warsaw, Poland. More details on the project can be found here: http://kaminskientomo.org/blog-news/projects/platynotini

Your duties will include:

• gathering and analyzing morphological and molecular data from historical specimens of Eurynotina
• reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships between the eurynotoid genera based on molecular data
• matrix-based revisions of all species-group taxa included in Eurynotina. This task will require investigation of type materials deposited in different entomological collections around the world either through specimen loans or museum visits
• presentation of results at international conferences and manuscript preparation for publications
• realization of the BioPlanet Doctoral School programme (https://szkoladoktorska-bioplanet.pl/en/home/)
• preparation of the Ph.D. thesis (manuscript)

The realization of this PhD project requires implementation of a diverse set of methodological tools (NGS, bioinformatics, modern taxonomy, distribution analyses), and will offer the candidate opportunities to work in  scientific facilities around the world, such as Ditsong Museum in South Africa (investigation of type material).

To be considered you will need:

• MS in biology, ecology, earth science, environmental science, or other relevant disciplines. Students with a degree in another field with relevant post-graduate work experience will also be considered
• basic knowledge of methods used in taxonomy, biogeography, and phylogenetics
• experience in insect taxonomy (species description, dissections, and imaging) or DNA extraction and amplification. Experience in both taxonomy and DNA sequencing is preferred, with additional consideration given to candidates with bioinformatics experience.
• preference will be given to candidates who already documented their scientific activity by publishing paper/s and/or presenting their findings during conferences

Requested documents:

• copy of your MSc diploma
• CV with detailed information on your education, scientific career and past research experience. In your CV, please include the following consent to the processing of personal data: “Pursuant to Article 6 (1) of the General Regulation on the Protection of Personal Data of 27 April 2016 (Journal of Laws EU L 119/1 of 4 May 2016) I agree on the processing of personal data other than: name, (names) and surname, parents' names, date of birth, place of residence (correspondence address), education, course of previous employment included in my job offer for the needs of current recruitment”.
• motivation letter detailing your research interests and justifying why you wish to join the project (single page)
• two recommendation letters from your previous supervisors/coworkers

How to apply: Apply by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In the subject field please write "Ph.D. position - your first and last name”.

Recruitment process:

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the information presented in the submitted documents. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview via Zoom. Final results will be announced before May, 20th.

Postgraduate studies:

The selected candidate will be asked to apply to the Bioplanet Doctoral School of the Polish Academy of Sciences (https://szkoladoktorska-bioplanet.pl/en/home/) and participate in the entrance examination (via Skype or in person). The school does not charge tuition fees and provides compulsory and optional classes (conducted in English) for doctoral students. Doctoral studies will start on October 1, 2021 and should be completed by submitting a doctoral dissertation within 4 years.

Scholarship:

The scholarship of 5,000 PLN per month (gross salary) is provided for the duration of the project (i.e. until 2025-01-25). Later, until 2025-09-30, the student will receive a standard PhD scholarship .The scholarship provides for a reasonable cost of living in Warsaw based on current housing costs.

Scientific research at MIZ PAN:

Research at MIZ covers a spectrum of topics in zoology, including systematics, biogeography, evolutionary biology, ecology, and population genetics. Dr. Marcin Kamiński's group (http://www.kaminskientomo.org/) belongs to the Zoological Museum. The Museum's collection, due to its historical nature, is one of the most valuable in Europe.