From: Martin Sander <martin.sander@uni-bonn.de>
Reply-To: vrtpaleo@usc.edu
To: vrtpaleo@usc.edu
Subject: Functional Morphology/Vertebrate Paleo PhD Position Date: Mon, 29
Mar 2004 10:41:20 +0200
Hi all, I am very sorry that the message about the Ph.D. position got
truncated. Here is another try.
Best wishes, Martin Sander
PhD Position in Functional Morphology/Vertebrate Paleontology, University
of Bochum, Germany
A PhD position in Functional Morphology/Vertebrate Paleontology is
available beginning May 1st, 2004, for research on shoulder biomechanics in
sauropod dinosaurs using comparative anatomy and functional morphology. The
position is for a maximum of three years and is part of the recently
approved DFG research unit "Biology of the Sauropod Dinosaurs: the
Evolution of Gigantism". This research unit consists of 10 individual
project based at several different German, Austrian, and Swiss universities
and offers great opportunities for interaction with collegues from fields
as disparate as animal nutrition, physiology, and materials science, with a
paleontological research program at the center. The salary is based on the
German BAT II/2 category which pays about EU 14,400 p.a.
The project for which we are seeking a Ph.D. student has the objectives to
understand the mechanic principles of transmitting body weight to the
forelimbs. The research will consist of a two-step approach: first, modern
tetrapod soft part anatomy and its link to the skeleton are studied and
then the results will be applied to representative sauropods.
The point of departure are the following studies:
H. Preuschoft, M. Schmidt, S. Hayama & M. Okada, 2003: The influence of
three-dimensional movements of the forelimb on the shape of the thorax and
its importance for erect body posture - Courier Forschungs-Inst.
Senckenberg 243: 9-24
Christian, A., W.-D. Heinrich, and W. Golder 1999. Posture and mechanics of
the forelimbs of Brachiosaurus brancai (Dinosauria: Sauropoda).
Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität Berlin,
Geowissenschaftliche Reihe 2:63-73.
Christian, A., and W. D. Heinrich 1998. The neck posture of Brachiosaurus
brancai. Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde der
Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Geowissenschaftliche Reihe 1:73-80.
Requirements - Master´s degree or equivalent (Diplom) in either zoology,
paleontology, or biomechanics, background in vertebrate morphology,
willingness to apply the laws of mechanics to animals and to work
quantitatively, including appropriate computer skills. Fluency in spoken
and written English is required.
Applications should include CV, copies of diplomas and/or college courses
transcripts, names, mail and e-mail addresses of all recent advisers, list
of publications, and a short (one paragraph) statement of research/career
interests.
All applications are to be sent by mail or e-mail to:
Prof. Dr. Holger Preuschoft
Abteilung für Funktionelle Morphologie
Institut für Anatomie
Geb. MA 0/436
Universität Bochum
D-44780 Bochum
Telephone: 0049 / 234 / 322 3970
Fax: 0049 / 234 / 3214059
e-mail: holger.preuschoft@rub.de or Odysseus.RUB@gmx.de