[Aqualist] PhD Project and Scholarship: Evolution, climate, snail shells and oxygen isotopes

[Holt, Katherine]

Hi AQUAlisters
Please see the following outlining a PhD position at Massey University, New Zealand.
We would appreciate it if it could be circulated to any suitable candidates which may not be on this list.

Applicants are required to send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for two references (before 26th November 2016) to m.morgan-richards at massey.ac.nz<mailto:m.morgan-richards at massey.ac.nz>.

Regards
Kat Holt

PhD Project: Unlocking the palaeoenvironmental archives of New Zealand's fossil snail shells

A PhD position is available to determine the relationship between isotope values and environmental variables in New Zealand terrestrial snail shells to study morphological evolution of the snails. The results will allow development of a new palaeoenvironmental proxy that will contribute to our understanding of New Zealand's climate and environmental history. Over the last 5000 years, one species of terrestrial snail in New Zealand demonstrates morphological stasis for almost all traits studied. The aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that this morphological stasis is the result of constraining selection (in a constant environment), and not gene flow. The two main objectives of the PhD project are: 1. Determine the environmental variables that have the greatest influence on oxygen isotope ratios in Placostylus. 2. Reconstruct the environment the snails were living in, and relate this to the existing morphometric dataset.

The position will be based at the Massey Palmerston North campus but will undertake some consultation and field work in North Cape and some lab work in Auckland at NIWA.

The supervisory team will be
A/Prof Mary Morgan-Richards; m.morgan-richards at massey.ac.nz<mailto:m.morgan-richards at massey.ac.nz>
Dr Kat Holt: K.Holt at massey.ac.nz<mailto:K.Holt at massey.ac.nz>
Dr Andrew Lorrey: Andrew.Lorrey at niwa.co.nz

A BSc Hons or MSc degree in some area of evolutionary biology or earth science is required (e.g. palaeontology; zoology; statistics; molecular ecology; genetics; geology; computational biology). The scholarship is open to all nationalities. Support includes a NZ$25k p.a. three year stipend with university fees paid.

If you would like to be considered, send your CV, cover letter, and contact information for two references (before 26th November 2016) to m.morgan-richards at massey.ac.nz<mailto:m.morgan-richards at massey.ac.nz>.






Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography | Palynology Lab Manager | Institute of Agriculture and Environment |Massey University | Private Bag 11222 | Palmerston North | New Zealand |T 64 6 951 6535| F 64 350 5632 | E k.holt at massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.holt at massey.ac.nz>
Profile<http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=789930>
Twitter: @pollenkat
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