Five PhD positions by NCB Naturalis in the Netherlands

We seek to attract PhD students who will be working on one of the projects described in the appendix. You are an energetic and enthusiastic scientist with interest in systematics or geology in general and one of the projects specifically. You are eager to join our new institute and to study the natural history collections of NCB Naturalis.

General requirements
You have a master degree in systematics, evolutionary biology, palaeontology or other relevant discipline. You have a scientific and critical attitude, excellent time management and organizational skills, the ability to work independently, good verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English is required.

We offer
A fulltime contract (36 hours per week) for a period of four years. A maximum salary of circa € 35,000 gross per year. All our employees are incorporated into a pension fund. The successful candidates will be employed by NCB Naturalis in Leiden. The candidate will also be affiliated to either the Leiden University, the University of Amsterdam or Wageningen University. The appointment must lead to the completion of a PhD thesis. Supervisors are mentioned with the project proposals.

Procedure
You are invited to submit your application including the project of interest, your curriculum vitae, a list of publications, up to five keywords describing your research interests, and the names and e-mail addresses of at least two persons who can be contacted for reference (and who have agreed to be contacted) before 15 May 2011 by e-mail to; sollicitaties@ncbnaturalis.nl, or by mail; NCB Naturalis, HR department, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands.

Research projects
Research staff of NCB Naturalis has identified exciting research projects as described in the summaries that can be found here:
http://www.ncbnaturalis.nl/nl/werken-bij-ons/vacatures/five-phd-positions/research-projects-descriptions/
We invite you to indicate in your application your interest in one or more projects. Describe your motivation for each project selected separately.

We also offer the opportunity to propose your own personal research project. Before submitting such a proposal, you first need to contact one of the permanent researchers of NCB Naturalis to seek commitment as supervisor. Without a supervisor of NCB Naturalis, we cannot accept proposals for new projects.
For NCB Naturalis, Zoology and Geology research staff, seehttp://www.science.naturalis.nl/research/people.
For botany staff, seehttp://www.nhn.leidenuniv.nl/index.php/nhn/institute/personnelleidenor http://www.bis.wur.nl/UK/Staff/Marc+Sosef.

For more information on current research and facilities, see the websites of the founding partners of the NCB Naturalis, onwww.ncbnaturalis.nl - www.nhn.leidenuniv.nl -www.science.uva.nl/zma - www.bis.wur.nl/UK/Organisation/Herbarium

Any additional information can be requested from:
Prof. Dr. E. F. Smets, scientific director
Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis
E-mail: erik.smets@ncbnaturalis.nl
Phone: +31 71 5687 675