Postdoctoral position available: EvoDevo of shark skin teeth

Evolution of shark skin teeth from genotype to phenotype to prototype

NSF-Funded postdoctoral position is available in the Laboratory of Gareth Fraser (www.fraser-lab.net) at the Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville. The central theme of our lab is Vertebrate Evolutionary Developmental Biology. This NSF-funded project, in collaboration with Professor George Lauder at Harvard University, and Dr. Elizabeth Sibert at Yale University, seeks to integrate deep time, development and design for the study of shark skin denticles.

We are looking for a motivated and creative scientist to develop the shark skin system as an EvoDevo model that links palaeontology, developmental biology and design for new engineering solutions. The primary focus of this position will include generating developmental RNAseq data, tracking the development and regeneration of shark skin denticles, and developing new methods to understand denticle shape-shifting in a range of shark models. This project will offer a range of training opportunities including, analyzing RNAseq data, learning hands-on shark embryology techniques, developing a ‘design a shark’ virtual reality environment, and shark husbandry. In addition, we encourage and nurture the candidates own creativity and research tangents; so, there is huge potential here to develop a project that suits the selected candidate, related to the focal themes of the project. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and includes a full benefits package. The start date is somewhat flexible and the applicant selected for this position could begin as early as February 2022.

Qualifications

Candidates should have an interest in EvoDevo, palaeo-history of vertebrates and vertebrate diversity. Knowledge of embryology, developmental biology techniques, RNAseq analyses (bioinformatics) or stem/regenerative biology is desirable.

Application Instructions

For full consideration, applications should be submitted via email to Dr. Gareth Fraser g.fraser@ufl.edu and must include: (1) a letter of application summarizing the applicant’s qualifications and interests, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) a statement on research goals, and (4) a list of at least three references. After initial review, applicants who are chosen to receive further consideration will be asked to request confidential letters of recommendation from the references. 

If you would like further information about the position please contact Dr. Gareth Fraser. Email: g.fraser@ufl.edu.

Application deadline is October 29, 2021.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law. If an accommodation due to disability is needed in order to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at (800) 955-8771 (TDD).

The Department particularly welcomes applicants who can contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. The university and greater Gainesville communities enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.