Postdoc postion in beetle morphology/taxonomy

Saturday, November 14th, 2009 | Education, Science

I’m reposting this job announcement here:
Eleodes obscurus

The International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE), Arizona State University (ASU), invites applications and nominations for a postdoc available January 1, 2010. Duties include dissections, descriptions, and digital illustrations of beetles for print and Web publications, participating in the Institute team working on various cybertaxonomy initiatives, and supporting the research of the director, currently including taxonomic studies of Eleodes (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae).

ASU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Submit statement of interest, CV, and names/email addresses of three references to: Quentin Wheeler, Vice President and Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University. Please submit electronically to tyna.chu@asu.edu with subject line Morphology Postdoc. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

There are very few positions advertised these days within organismic biology that do not include the word Genomics, or another molecular flavor, prominently in the title. While the extensive molecularization of the field has been a welcome trend, it has pushed aside fundamental studies into morphology.

This position is the dream job for anyone interested in beetle morphology and taxonomy. The IISE is a state-of-the-art place for the study of biological diversity. Quentin Wheeler has been my friend and colleague for many years now–I cannot think of anyone more passionate for taxonomy, and he is an engaging person to work with for sure.

(Besides, I know from good sources that the position’s salary is among the bests you will find as a postdoc.)