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Graduate Assistantships: Hawaiian Land Snail Biodiversity
We have National Science Foundation funding to support two graduate students, one at the PhD level and one at the MS level to work on the systematics, evolution and conservation of Hawaiian land snails in the laboratory of Dr. Robert H. Cowie and Dr. Kenneth A. Hayes (http://www.hawaii.edu/cowielab/), in collaboration with Dr. Brenden S. Holland (http://www2.hawaii.edu/~trsnlab/), Dr. Norine W. Yeung and a team of national and international land snail experts. Student should have a strong interest in systematics, taxonomy and conservation with a solid background in evolutionary biology. He/she should be eager to use integrative approaches involving the study of anatomy, molecular systematics, biogeography, ecology, evolution and conservation in the development of their dissertation research. The student must also have the ability to hike in arduous conditions to remote locations within the Hawaiian Islands as part of the field surveys. In consultation with the PIs, the students will develop their own thesis ordissertation ideas based on their specific interests but grounded in the research undertaken under the assistantship and other ongoing research in the laboratory. Biogeographic, anatomical and molecular data from this research will be used to address questions regarding the systematics, evolution, conservation, and management of Hawaiian land snails and their close relatives globally, providing ample opportunities to develop a broad dissertation and thesis topics. The students will work closely with the project team members to address primary goals of the project: · Complete a comprehensive and systematic survey of the Hawaiian land snail fauna.
· Develop comprehensive phylogenetic hypotheses for all Hawaiian land snail species using material from the surveys in goal 1 and the extensive museum material.
· Completely update the taxonomic framework of Hawaiian land snails using an integrated phylogenetic and morphological approach, and describe/redescribe taxa as necessary. Primary duties as graduate assistants will be to participate as members of survey teams conducting work aimed at documenting the remaining land snail fauna of Hawaii. Using material from these surveys and museum collections, the students will contribute to assessments of the taxonomic status of all species and phylogenetic analysis with combined molecular and anatomical data. They will also share responsibility for collections and database management, and the daily operation of the lab with other students and postdocs working on the project. The students will be expected to develop their mentoring/teaching skills by supervising and working closely with undergraduates in the laboratory and the field. The initial funding from NSF is for 2 years, with a possibility of a third year, after which funding from other sources will be sought to support the student, including possible TAships within the Department of Biology. However, students will be strongly encouraged to find outside funding to complete their research. The successful candidates will be joining a dynamic lab that uses snails as study systems to address fundamental questions in biogeography, evolution, speciation, invasion biology, and conservation. As a members of the lab students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of systematics and conservation training activities including (1) national and international collaborations, (2) opportunities to work on malacological collections with researchers at major national and international museums (US National Museum of National History Smithsonian Institution, Natural History Museum London, National Museum of Natural History Paris, Bishop Museum Honolulu), (3) development and refinement of skills necessary for modern taxonomic monography and systematic revisions, (4) field biodiversity and conservation assessments, (5) development and refinement of scientific and grant proposal writing, and (6) involvement in the development of identification keys, conservation management plans, and outreach education materials.
Initial informal inquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr. Ken Hayes, but
all applicants will be required to submit a formal application consisting of:
(1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research experience
that explains your background, specific interest in the project, and
experience/interests in the topic areas mentioned above, and (4) the names
and contact information for at least three academic/scientific
references.
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