PhD: Testing the Agulhas Dispersal Hypothesis for the Neogene planktonic foraminifer Globorotalia menardii: Indian Ocean or Pacific home versus Central-American passage

For realization of the research project “Testing the Agulhas Dispersal Hypothesis for the Neogene planktonic foraminifer Globorotalia menardii: Indian Ocean or Pacific home versus Central-American passage” we seek a PhD student at the Natural History Museum in Basel, Switzerland. In this project we investigate whether the Agulhas Current had a major influence on the morphological evolution on menardine globorotalids during the past 8 million years in selected deep-sea cores from the Equatorial Pacific, Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic.

Main methods include, but are not restricted to, geometric morphometry using automated digital imaging systems. The goal is obtain improved insight about the mode, pattern and process of morphological speciation in these marine calcareous pelagic protists.

The project is funded by the Swiss National Foundation for Scientific Research for 36 months, beginning on 1 February 2017.

Your specific tasks:
1.) Morphometry of menardiform globorotalid shells raised from selected Upper Miocene-Holocene IODP core samples.
2.) Statistical analysis of shell variability through time.
3.) Application and further development of our AMOR system (Automated Measurement system for the mORphology of microfossils) in collaboration with engineers.
4.) Publication of the results.

Your profile:
1.) A prerequisite for this position is a recent master’s degree or equivalent qualification in earth sciences.
2.) You are curious and highly motivated in solving questions about microevolutionary patterns and processes of marine microfossils. You are keen in exploring morphometric methods. And you like testing scientific theories.
3.) You are especially interested in application and development of automated digital image based morphometry.
4.) You are familiar with oceanic micropaleontology.
5.) You have a good ability for quantitative work. Knowledge in computer programming is a plus, willingness to acquire such abilities for digital image processing is expected.
6.) You like working in a Museum environment.
7.) You have excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken), acquiring German language is expected.

You will be registered as a PhD student with the University of Basel, Switzerland (chair: Prof. Dr. Andreas Wetzel). The working place is based at the Natural History Museum in Basel, Switzerland, which gives opportunity to gain insight to work at a cultural institution.

Please send your application including a CV, a proof of your successful completion of your masters/diploma degree, a pdf and a printed copy of your master thesis, a statement about your research interests (1 page A4), and 2 references to: Dr. Michael Knappertsbusch, Natural History Museum Basel, Augustinergasse 2, 4001-Basel, Switzerland.