Post-doctoral position at IISER Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, India A postdoctoral position in Evolutionary Ecology is available at IISER Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, in the Vanasiri Evolutionary Ecology Group of Ullasa Kodandaramaiah (www.vanasiri.in) DEADLINE: Screening of applications will begin immediately and applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found SALARY: Rs. 60,000 per month (including Housing Rent Allowance) RESEARCH TOPIC(S): Our research group works on various questions, with evolution being the common theme across all projects. We have used multiple model organisms, including insects, plants and reptiles. However, butterflies are the main model system in the lab. We use a combination of lab experiments, field experiments and phylogenetic comparative analyses in our work. We are keen to use chemical ecological data for some questions. More information about our research can be found here www.vanasiri.in/research. I prefer candidates who will work on projects in one of the themes mentioned below. However, I am also open to candidates who want to address other kinds of questions in evolutionary ecology, as long as the project fits in with the broad interests of the lab, and is feasible. Please look at our lab publications over the last few years (www.vanasiri.in/papers) for an idea of what kinds of projects interest us. Preferred areas 1) Life history trait evolution 2) Adaptive phenotypic plasticity 3) Evolution of anti-predatory strategies 4) Insect-plant coevolution Interested candidates can write to me (ullasa@iisertvm.ac.in) with your CV to discuss how you could fit in, and for details of the formal application procedure. WHY IISER THIRUVANANTHAPURAM?: The IISER Thiruvananthapuram campus is arguably the most beautiful campus of its kind in India, and one of the best places for ecological studies (www.iisertvm.ac.in/pages/campus; http://icreee.org/#facilities) in the country. We are part of the Western Ghats mountains and the hyper-biodiverse Agasthyamalai Biosphere reserve. Our campus has patches of forest, and is contiguous with protected areas. IISER Thiruvananthapuram has plenty of motivated undergraduates who intern in research labs during the summer/winter breaks, as well as during the teaching semester as semester interns. We also have masters students in our lab every year. DURATION: The initial contract will be for 1 year, but can be extended. The selected candidate is expected to join as soon as possible. LIFE ON CAMPUS AND IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram is about 40 km from the campus, and many staff/faculty members commute from the there on a daily basis. Thiruvananthapuram is a coastal city and the capital of Kerala, with a rich cultural heritage. It is within a stone's throw away from world famous beaches such as Kovalam and Varkala, and stunning backwater tourism areas such as Poovar. Being a major medical tourism destination, the city has excellent medical care facilities. Thiruvananthapuram is a relatively small city, and the cost of living tends to be considerably lower than in other Indian cities. A 2-bedroom apartment can be rented for Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per month. There are plenty of options for dining out - a meal at a decent local restaurant can start from Rs 100, but one can dine even in five-star hotels for less than Rs 3000. Costs for groceries and other daily needs can be looked up here: www.bigbasket.com. Taxis can be hired at ca. Rs 18 per km (with a minimum fare of ca. Rs 200). Fuel (petrol/diesel) costs about Rs 96-105/litre. Limited accommodation is also available in Vithura, where the IISER Thiruvananthapuram campus is located. Vithura is a small town set in at the foothills of the Western Ghats. Hill stations (e.g Ponmudi) and wildlife sanctuaries are close by. Lab Website - /Vanasiri/ Ullasa Kodandaramaiah Professor Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram Maruthamala P.O., Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, India. 695 551. Ullasa Kodandaramaiah (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)