PhD Fellowship in Paleobiology/Paleontology at the University of Pennsylvania

PhD Fellowship in Paleobiology/Paleontology at the University of Pennsylvania

A PhD fellowship in Paleobiology is available in the Department of Earth
and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, starting
in Fall 2015. Prof. Lauren Sallan seeks a graduate student to address
major paleobiological questions, such as how global change has affected
life over time, how life evolves at high levels (macroevolution), and
the origins of living biodiversity. Specific topics include, but are not
limited to: the drivers and ecological consequences of mass extinction
(e.g. the end-Devonian Hangenberg event), the role of predation and
competition in setting marine biodiversity, the characteristics of
adaptive radiations and 'living fossils,' the effects of long-term
environmental events (e.g. the Late Paleozoic Ice Age) on biodiversity
trends, and transitions in early vertebrate evolution (e.g. origin of
jaws, invasion of land). The student can also develop a novel project
that address similar questions using quantitative, phylogenetic and
descriptive methods. While research in the lab has focused on fishes,
any suitable group of fossil animals may be used.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. Sallan (lsallan@sas.upenn.edu)
for more details. Additional information on the fellowship is available on
the departmental website: www.sas.upenn.edu/earth. Applications for entry
in Fall 2015 are due December 15, 2014. Applications to graduate school
at Penn must be submitted online at https://www.applyweb.com/upenng/

Lauren Sallan
Assistant Professor
Earth and Environmental Science
& Evolution Cluster
University of Pennsylvania
Office: 154B Hayden Hall
Phone: (215) 898-5650
Website: www.LaurenSallan.com
E-mail: lsallan@sas.upenn.edu

Lauren Sallan