Postdoctoral Researcher in the evolution of reptile brains

The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Application deadline: 25 Mar 2025

A fixed-term Level A grant-funded researcher position is available
for two years as part of an ARC Discovery project on the evolution of
brains in snakes and lizards, in the School of Biological Sciences at
the University of Adelaide.

The aim of the project is to generate new knowledge on the evolution
of squamate reptile brains as these animals adapted to new habitats
and climates. The project explores how brains have evolved in three
groups, dragons, goannas and venomous snakes, with a focus on Australian
adaptive radiations. Complementing these macroevolutionary approaches,
the project also explores dynamics of embryonic and ontogenetic brain
growth to understand the evolutionary lability of reptilian brains in
response to environmental and climatic change.

The project uses soft tissue micro-CT scanning (diffusible iodine
contrast-enhanced micro-CT scanning) of herpetological specimens
from museum collections to generate high-resolution models of brain
morphology. This will be complemented by quantitative analyses
to determine neuronal packing in squamate brains (e.g. histology,
isotropic fractionation and flow cytometry). The project has access
to state-of-the-art microscopy services through Adelaide Microscopy at
the University and the Bioimaging Platform at La Trobe University. The
project also has access to high-powered workstations and microCT scanning
facilities based at the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and
the University of Michigan.

The period of employment is 2 years. The project leader is Dr Jenna
Crowe-Riddell (jenna.crowe-riddell@adelaide.edu.au).

Read more about the position and how to apply here:
careers.adelaide.edu.au/cw/en/job/515720/arc-grantfunded-researcher-a

Jenna Crowe-Riddell <jenna.crowe-riddell@adelaide.edu.au>

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