The State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNS) is one of the largest natural history museums in Germany and conducts collection-based research in the areas of systematics, taxonomy, biodiversity and evolution. The SMNS also cooperates closely with the University of Hohenheim in research and academic teaching. As an integrated research museum, the SMNS delivers an essential contribution towards a deeper understanding of complex biological phenomena and a broad range of engagement opportunities for all citizens.
We offer a
PhD position (m/f/d) in vertebrate Paleontology
(E 13 TV-L, 65%, 3 years)
Project and job description:
The DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – German Research Foundation) funded the project “Bone microanatomy, ichnology and paleoenvironments” within the wider frame of the DFG Research Group “The Evolution of Life Histories in Early Tetrapods”. The main goal of the project is to understand aquatic and terrestrial adaptations in temnospondyls and how their lifestyles, especially locomotion, changed through ontogeny. These project questions will be tackled by analyzing data from bone microanatomy, ichnology and paleoenvironments. The research to be done in the frame of the PhD project will be mainly focused on bone microanatomy, and the obtained results will be confronted and discussed with ichnological and paleoenvironmental data. A number of methods will need to be employed in the course of the PhD, including paleohistology (with further computational analyses), CT (computed tomography) and surface scans, and photogrammetry. As part of the DFG Research Group, the data collected will be combined with other projects within the coordinated team, which will be supported by regular meetings with other project partners.
Responsibilities:
Tasks of the candidate will include the collection of histological and morphological data from both fossil temnospondyls and extant taxa (mainly salamanders), which will be used as analogues for the fossil specimens. Such data collection will be based on the collections in Stuttgart, as well as in other institutions both national and international. Standardized scientific methods and protocols will be employed, especially in collaboration with partners of the Research Group, for paleohistology, CT and surface scanning, and the analysis and synthesis of the obtained data. The candidate is expected to produce texts and figures for scientific publications within the framework of the project, and the presentation of the research in scientific meetings as talks and/or posters. The data collected will form the basis for a doctoral thesis.
Requirements:
- MSc degree in organismal Biology or Geology/Paleontology
- Knowledge in the areas of vertebrate paleontology and evolution
- Desirable but not strictly required is knowledge on the anatomy and evolution of early tetrapods and amphibians and the collection of scientific data, especially CT data
- Excellent English skills
- Analytical skills (e.g., with R and ImageJ softwares)
- High motivation, working independently, teamwork and interdisciplinary communication skills
- The overarching goal is the acquirement of a doctoral degree of the candidate at the end of the project
Our offer:
- The opportunity to pursue your academic career in an internationally renowned research museum, which includes one of the most important paleontological collections in Europe
- A friendly, dynamic interdisciplinary, cooperative and team-oriented research environment
- Opportunity to attend national and international conferences
- Intensive academic and personal mentoring
- An attractive workplace in the centre of Stuttgart with flexible and family-friendly working hours
- A subsidised public transport ticket (JobTicket BW)
The position is funded by a DFG grant, and thus salary is paid according to the German salary scheme for the public sector for doctoral research (65% E13 TV-L). The position is guaranteed for three years. Applications in German and English are equally welcome, but the work language is in English.
How to apply:
Please send your application, including a motivation letter, CV and certificates exclusively online and the names and contact details of two referees (in one file, max 10 MB) tophd-paleontology(at)smns-bw.de by February 16, 2025. Job interviews are scheduled for February 25, 2025. Invited candidates should give a max. 15-minute presentation on their research background, their interest in the project and their methodological skills.
For further information, please contact Dr. Eudald Mujal Grané, eudald.mujalgrane(at)smns-bw.de or Dr. Eli Amson, eli.amson(at)smns-bw.de.
The SMNS promotes equal opportunities for its employees and therefore welcomes applications from all people regardless of their gender, cultural and social background, age, religion, ideology, disability or sexual identity. As the promotion of equality between women and men is of particular concern to us, we expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if equally qualified.
Information on data protection law for applicants can be found on our homepage under “Jobs”.