MSc. or Ph.D student position in Plant Phylogenetic Community Ecology at Memorial University of Newfoundland-Canada

I am seeking a motivated MSc or Ph.D. student to conduct a study that aims to understand the phylogenetic diversity of the flora of Newfoundland, and the phylogenetic structure of different habitat types in this island of the north Atlantic. Knowledge of how phylogenetically diverse the flora is in different areas will inform conservation actions in the province. The role of plant traits on the historical assembly of these plant communities could also be addressed, and other hypotheses of the student’s interest. The student will reconstruct a species-level phylogeny of the 1,300 native plants of Newfoundland using publicly available DNA sequences. The student will work under the mentorship of Dr. Julissa Roncal, and collaborate with Dr. Michael Burchinski and Dr. Susan Meades.

Student’s qualifications:

  • A BS degree with Honours or MSc degree in a related discipline (e.g. biology, botany, conservation, ecology, molecular biology, bioinformatics)
  • Strong knowledge of phylogenetic and phylogenetic comparative methods, ability to code in R.
  • Experience in organismic botany, ecology, and conservation is highly desirable.
  • Excellent writing, analytical, organization and communication skills. Attention to detail.
  • Written and oral proficiency in English is mandatory for international students. TOEFL test required for admission to the university, but not the GRE tests.

Position characteristics:

Project start date is September 2020. The MSc and Ph.D. program comprises two and four years with an annual stipend of $19,000 and $21,000, respectively. The student is expected to assist in teaching laboratories for 56 hours during the fall and winter semesters, but not in the spring. The department of Biology at Memorial University has 29 faculty members and over 100 graduate students. Memorial University is Atlantic Canada’s largest university offering a multicultural environment. Screening will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Position fully funded by NSERC.

How to apply: Interested applicants should send their CV, a one-page statement of research interests and career goals, transcripts, and contact information of 3 references (who have agreed to be contacted) in a single pdf or word file to Dr. Julissa Roncal at Email: jroncal@mun.ca.For more information on the research group visit: https://julissaroncal.wordpress.com/about-me-2/

For instructions on how to apply to Memorial’s graduate program visit: http://www.mun.ca/become/graduate/apply/index.php