Postdoctoral Research Associate position available.

I am searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join me at West Virginia University for 2 years with a preferred start time of August 2024.

The Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University is seeking a full time Postdoctoral Research Associate. The position will be based in the Paleobiology research lab. The postdoctoral research associate workload will consist of the study and description of fossil echinoderm material and the application of analytical methods for interpreting patterns of development and heterochronic trends among blastoid echinoderms within a phylogenetic framework. The postdoc will work with the PIs to expand existing methods for quantifying heterochrony in evolutionary lineages; analytical methods will include phylogenetic comparative methods alongside direct descriptions of fossil specimens. The focus of the project will be to: (1) document the ontogeny of Paleozoic echinoderm species to determine commonality between developmental pathways; (2) help refine methods for quantifying heterochronic trends in evolutionary lineages; and (3) explore heterochronic trends in blastoid echinoderms and their relationship to changes in evolutionary rate, ecologic occupation, and biogeography.

The successful candidate will work on an NSF funded project into blastoid macroevolution with a focus on their development and potential heterochronic trends. You can find details of the project here:
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2312211

https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:WikiProject_Echinodermata

The successful candidate will collaborate with myself and Co-Is Dr. Sarah Sheffield and Dr. Adriane Lam (both at Bingham University) and Dr. Jen Bauer (at the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology). This work will include travel to museum collections and presentation of research at conferences. The postdoctoral associate is expected to publish their work in collaboration with the Co-Is as part of the position.

We are interested in speaking to applicants who have experience in either echinoderm paleobiology or an interest in heterochronic trends. Contact me if you are interested in applying. The expected salary is $56,000 per year.

You can see the full ad, as well as apply for the position, here (https://wvu.taleo.net/careersection/wvu_research/jobdetail.ftl?job=23369&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York). Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in Paleobiology or related field (or are due to receive their PhD shortly). To apply, please upload a letter of application, a CV, and the names and contact information of three referees. Review of applications will begin March 15th and continue until the position is filled.