Post-Doc in Ecology, Taxonomy and Phylogeography of Glacial Metazoans

The Institute of Soil Biology (ISB) within the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences is looking for a motivated post-doc to join a small but enthusiastic team of the Functional Biodiversity and Extreme Ecosystems Lab. The position is connected to a 3-year project but can be prolonged according to the scientific quality of the candidate. Glaciers cover ~10% of Earth and are important drivers for many worldwide processes. However, they belong to the least studied environments from a biological point of view, and glacier-bound metazoans, mainly tardigrades and rotifers remain particularly unexplored. Our project will shed light on their evolution and adaptability to an icy environment. We take advantage of the worldwide collection of samples from glaciers and surrounding habitats and propose a combination of phylogenetic, comparative genomic, physiological, and ecological approaches to answer important questions across three complementary levels of organismal complexity: 1) Do glacier-bound metazoans represent specialized lineages diverged from related non-glacier species and to what extent do their populations on individual glaciers remain isolated or make part of pan-Arctic or even cosmopolitan metapopulation? 2) How do they adapt to an extreme glacial environment on genomic and physiological levels? 3) What is their ecological role, how efficiently they consume and hence exert top-down control on glacier ecosystems? In this context, we aim to recruit one post-doc who will concentrate on the molecular ecology of such metazoans to clarify their role on the glacier and in comparison, with surrounding extreme terrestrial habitats.

The ideal candidate is: • experienced in handling small water metazoans • specialized in any of the following group of water-terrestrial fauna: Rotifera, Tardigrada, Nematoda, or similar • experienced in advanced statistics and DNA sequencing techniques • particularly interested in glaciers and polar habitats • of team cooperation spirit • in good physical condition for fieldwork and has: • a Ph.D. or equivalent relevant to the soil zoology, ecology, hydrobiology, or pedobiology • a list of publications and funded research • good written and spoken English Taxonomical skills are advantageous in the given group and candidates with a wider ecological scope are particularly encouraged to apply.

• 1 extra week of holiday, i.e., 5 weeks of paid holiday per year in total • subsidized lunches in our canteen • benefits from Social fund • free language classes – Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs (the capacity is limited) • opportunity to take part in mentoring programs as a mentor or a mentee • concessionary mobile tariff at the contractual operator • concessionary banking services at the contractual bank • working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance • support of leisure time activities

PLACE AND BACKGROUND History wherever you turn and excellent beer. That is České Budějovice (2 hours away from Prague). A city with over 750 years of tradition, the breathtaking countryside around, and a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS and the University of South Bohemia. Check out our Guide for Expats to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic. Czech and English are being used on equal rights as working languages of ISB, so applicants from abroad are most welcome. SELECTION PROCEDURE The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Excellence in Research Award. Our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating, and fair. For more information about the researchers' recruitment policy at our institution, see OTM-R. ARE YOU INTERESTED? Send us the following documents via the "REPLY" button below by 23 December 2021: 1) CV including the list of publications 2) Cover letter with a research experience list and interests including your private postal and e-mail address 3) Two reference letters from researchers you collaborated with The first round of evaluation will take place at the end of December 2021. The expected starting date is early 2022. However, applications will be considered until the position is filled. E-mail Miloslav Devetter (devetter@upb.cas.cz) with the subject POST-DOC POSITION for questions or additional information.