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Location
Košice
Košický kraj, Slovakia
Date Posted
22 May 2024

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Type
PhD Project
Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice

PhD in Biophysics

Košice
Košický kraj, Slovakia
22 May 2024

NOTE: this position listing has expired and may no longer be relevant!

Position Description


Spectroscopic studies on organic matter from the bone tissue and eggshells of extinct organisms

Synopsis: A long-standing paradigm referring to degradation of organic substance excluded a possibility for preservation of soft tissues of organisms that lived during the Mesozoic Era. Recently, such claims were revised by discovery of the Cretaceous Jehol Biota in China. Fossilized organic remains of the Jehol animals had preserved under taphonomic processes that are linked with volcanic activity. Other factors involved in mummification of soft tissues are arid climatic conditions. These are more typical for the Mesozoic fossils discovered in the Gobi Desert. The present PhD project aims to understand taphonomic selectivity in the preservation of fossil biomolecules as well as in the mineral replication of soft tissues due to different climatic and ecological factors. The principal analytical technique to be used is Raman spectroscopy. The method itself and its potential applications in molecular paleobiology is the object of investigation as well. We shall study a wide range of fossil tissue samples of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic animals discovered in Europe, Asia, Madagascar, Australia and New Zealand.
We expect the applicants to be fluent in spoken and written English, to show high work engagement, to work along and in a team, to have a basic knowledge and skills in optical spectroscopy methods.

Supervisor: Dr. Zuzana JURAŠEKOVÁ – Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University (UPJŠ) in Košice, Slovakia
E-mail: zuzana.jurasekova@upjs.sk

Co-supervisor: Associate Professor Martin KUNDRÁT – Head of PaleoBioImaging Lab and Team Leader of Evolutionary Biodiversity Group; Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park, UPJŠ in Košice, Slovakia.


How to Apply

https://www.upjs.sk/en/faculty-of-science/17989/ The applicant must have completed a master’s degree in the same or a related field of study. The applicants should apply via an electronic application form (the completed form has to be printed out and signed after having been submitted electronically). Alternatively the applicants can use a paper application (ŠEVT 49 400 2). The following annexes have to be enclosed to the printed out application form: Certified copy of a Masters Diploma (notary verified) CV with a list of published and unpublished works Documents regarding professional experience (if there was any) An academic transcript of Maters studies PhD project proposal The project proposal has to be submitted in the maximum length of 5 pages and in accordance with the template. Template for Phd. project proposal. Topics for PhD. study programs for the academic year 2018/2019 Deadline for applications: 31. 5. 2018 Admission procedure: 18. 6. 2017 - 29. 6. 2018 In case an applicant submits an application for two or more topics, he/she will be prompted to choose a preferred one. Application Fees: 50,- EUR paper application, 40,- EUR electronic application. The fee may only be payed via electronic bank transfer to the account no.: SK28 8180 0000 0070 0007 8491, Variable Symbol: 2996, Specific Symbol: social security number without the forward slash (/), Constant Symbol: 0308, Message to recipient: Name and Surname of applicant. A copy of the transaction needs to be attached to the application.

Position Category: Mathematical & Physical Sciences. Position Type: PhD Project. Salary: Less than €10'000.