Ph. D student to study biogeography of Caribbean arachnids, Univ Puerto Rico

We are a seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our NSF-funded research team that is addressing fundamental evolutionary and biogeographic questions using Caribbean arachnids. The team includes researchers from the University of Puerto Rico, Lewis and Clark College, University of Kansas, and collaborators from multiple other institutions. The research will largely consist of comparative biogeographic analyses of Caribbean arachnids that represent a range of dispersal abilities and have fossil representation. The project involves field work every year for the next three years and includes a large number of Caribbean islands, as well as nearby continental landmasses. To learn more about the project please see: http://www.islandbiogeography.org/
The selected candidate will obtain his/her PhD from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras at the Agnarsson lab (http://www.theridiidae.com/), and have the opportunity to spend time at the Binford lab at Lewis and Clark
College (http://legacy.lclark.edu/~binford/) and/or the Selden lab at the
University of Kansas (http://homepage.mac.com/paulselden/Home/). The
candidate will also have an opportunity to collaborate with a range of world
taxonomic experts on various arachnids, and work at the Smithsonian
Institution, Washington DC to gather molecular data and secure tissue
samples for long term storage at the Global Genome Initiative facility. We
seek a candidate with strong previous research and fieldwork experience.
Knowledge of phylogenetic methods and molecular work is essential, and
research experience in the field of biogeography/phylogeography is highly
desirable. Experience with spiders and other arachnids is an asset, but not
necessary. The position is funded as a research assistant for a minimum of 3
years, starting as soon as possible. Additional years will be funded through
a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Puerto Rico (one year
minimal teaching requirement). Please apply by sending your CV, including
the email addresses of two referees, and a letter of motivation to Ingi
Agnarsson (iagnarsson@gmail.com) by October 15, 2011. The selected candidate
will then need to apply to the doctoral program of the Department of
Biology, University of Puerto Rico (http://biology.uprrp.edu/), by December
15, 2011. Please direct questions to Ingi Agnarsson (iagnarsson@gmail.com)
or Greta Binford (binford@lclark.edu).