MNF/Open PhD position Branching spirals in deep time: Ammonoid phylogeny and macroecology 80 %

About the Institution

The University of Zurich, as Switzerland's largest university, provides a variety of engaging roles across multiple disciplines and professional domains. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, UZH promotes an inspiring environment dedicated to cutting-edge research and high-quality education.

Project Overview

The PhD project involves constructing an ammonoid phylogeny within a Bayesian framework, collaborating closely with two Postdocs, the project leader, and a diverse group of international collaborators. The candidate will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Assist in the definition of morphological characters for character matrices to investigate ammonoid evolution.
• Select a diverse group of ammonoids for representative taxonomic scoring.
• Conduct Bayesian and parsimony analyses.
• Integrate findings into a comprehensive ammonoid supertree.
• Examine additional key aspects of ammonoids, including dimorphism or variability.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will exhibit a strong motivation and possess a background in Life or Earth Sciences, specifically in biological, geological, or paleontological disciplines. Key attributes include:

• Excellent proficiency in written English.
• Familiarity with phylogenetic reconstruction methods, such as Bayesian and parsimony (or readiness to acquire this knowledge promptly).
• Some computational skills or experience in statistics.
• Knowledge in ammonoid palaeobiology is advantageous.
• German language skills are beneficial for day-to-day interactions but not a requirement.

Further Information

Discover the dynamic community at UZH and the opportunities available for talented individuals eager to contribute to innovative research and education.