Dr.
Jeffrey Silberman, Ph.D.
University
of Arkansas
Fulbright College of Arts and
Sciences
Department
of Biological Science, SCEN 601
Fayetteville,
Arkansas 72701 USA
September
1 2009
Doctoral Graduate Student Position:
Molecular Systematics and Taxonomy of Entamoeba.
Institute:
University of Arkansas, Department of Biological Sciences, Fayetteville AR USA.
PhD. position is
available starting as soon as October 1 2009 to work on molecular and
morphological characterization of Entamoeba that infect invertebrate hosts (with possible expansion
to other little-studied host systems).
The project will
focus on the molecular phylogeny (1° SSU) of invertebrate infecting Entamoeba accompanied by detailed morphological and
life-history descriptions for a-taxonomy. Culturing of organisms from infected
hosts will be attempted/optimized. Gene sequences will be obtained either from
cultured organisms or from 'environmental' PCR from host gut-content DNA. Evolutionary relationships and history
will be inferred from molecular phylogenies. Acquisition of multiple genes from
each new isolate will be encouraged with the goal of generated a robust, rooted
phylogeny.
Taxonomic revision
and criteria for species designation and taxonomy of these parasites will be critically
evaluated.
Starting date:
October 2009 January 2010. Search will continue until a suitable candidate is
identified.
Contact: Applicants
should send a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, and contact information for two references to:
Dr. Jeffrey D Silberman:
Email: jeff@uark.edu
Applicants must meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas and the criteria of the Department of Biological Sciences: http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/recruit/applying.html
[Min. GPA = 3.0]
[Min. TOEFL = 550 (paper), 79 (internet-based), 213 (computer-based)]
[GRE required]
More information on test requirements can be found at http://test.uark.edu/.