Postdoctoral Research Position: Comparative Biomechanics & Thermal Effects of Chameleons Feeding

Posted on May 25, 2024

The Anderson Lab in the Department of Biology at the University of South Dakota is hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher to start in either Summer or Fall 2024. This is a one-year NSF-funded position with the possibility to extend for up to three-years.

This position will be involved in studying patterns of thermal adaptation underlying movements powered by elastic recoil (tongue projection) and muscle contraction directly (tongue retraction) in chameleons living in disparate thermal environments. This research will incorporate a variety of field and laboratory techniques, including temperature manipulations in conjunction with high-speed videography, electromyography, in vitro muscle contractile physiology, anatomical dissection, and the potential for travel to field sites in southern Africa, to address comparative (evolutionary), ecological, and mechanistic questions related to thermal adaptation among different movement types.

A Ph.D. in biology, or a related field is required. Demonstrated experience in biomechanics, functional morphology, and/or muscle physiology is also required, and experience with high-speed videography, electromyography, and/or in vitro muscle contractile physiology is preferred.

Applications must be submitted online at https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu but candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Anderson (Christopher.V.Anders@usd.edu) directly with any questions, and a cover letter, statement of research interests, CV, and the names & contact info of three references.

Review of applications will begin June 7, 2024, and continue until a candidate is selected.

Additional information on the Anderson Lab: http://www.chamaeleonidae.com

Official job add & application portal: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu/postings/39208

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