One postdoctoral and two PhD positions at Yale

Postdoctoral position in Biodiversity Science and Informatics (Biodiversity informatics, Species distribution modeling, GIS, Conservation of East African vertebrates)
Jetz Lab, Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Yale University
One 2-3 year position is available starting between January and July 2010. We are looking for an expert in the analysis, management, and visualization of large quantities of spatial (and phylogenetic) biodiversity data. Knowledge of the major biodiversity informatics initiatives, the design of relational databases, species distribution modeling, and GIS are required. The successful candidate will likely have deep working knowledge in most of the following: SQL/postgreSQL, PostGIS, ArcGIS, Python, PHP, Java, R. Experience in Unix/Linux will be a benefit. A number of basic or applied research opportunities based on databases in the Lab are possible and will be developed jointly with the successful candidate.
One specific research opportunity is an assessment of the fate of East African terrestrial vertebrates under climate change. This project will include time in the field with collaborators in Kenya, and close interactions with the African Conservation Center, the Natural History Museum in Nairobi, and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
RESEARCH GROUP: In the Jetz Lab, the successful candidate will interact with two PhD students and four postdoctoral fellows. For further information see: http://www.yale.edu/jetz. Yale has a thriving community of postdocs and graduate students in ecology, evolution and global change science. The postdoctoral fellow will benefit from interactions with the EEB Department, the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies (http://www.yale.edu/yibs), the Peabody Museum (both physically connected to EEB), the Yale Climate & Energy Institute, and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (http://environment.yale.edu).
APPLICATION: Please email short letter of interest, C.V., and the names and contact details of three referees (ideally all combined in one pdf) to walter.jetz(at)yale.edu – subject line: Biodiversity Postdoc. Submission of at least partial materials before 4 Dec is encouraged. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until late December, or until the position is filled.

PhD Positions in Ecology, Biogeography and Conservation (Jetz Lab)
Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Yale University
Up to two fully-funded PhD positions are available starting Fall 2010. We are interested in students with research experience who are excited about interdisciplinary work spanning a range of ecological scales. Applicants should have a strong interest in combining theory, data analysis and modeling, and potentially fieldwork to address questions in Community ecology, Community phylogenetics, Geographical ecology, Movement ecology, Biodiversity science, Biogeography, and Global change ecology. Our preferred study system is terrestrial vertebrates, but work on other groups (including plants) is possible. The student will be integrated in the department’s thriving graduate program in ecology and evolution and will be able to interact closely with related programs in the neighboring Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Annual stipends are ca. $27k.
RESEARCH GROUP: In the Jetz Lab, the successful candidate will interact with two finishing PhD students and four postdoctoral fellows. For further information see: http://www.yale.edu/jetz. There are excellent additional training opportunities in the EEB Department, the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies (http://www.yale.edu/yibs), the Peabody Museum (both physically connected to the EEB Department), and the Yale Climate & Energy Institute - e.g. in GIS, macroecology, phylogenetics, phylogeography, macroevolution, biodiversity science, climate change science, global change ecology, and more.
APPLICATIONS: Please note that applications are due December 4, 2009. For further information see http://www.yale.edu/eeb/grad/index.htm and http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/admissions/index.html