A postdoc in Modelling and analysis of a spatial microbial ecology. Ref 14/5R/02
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/jobs/job8271.html
Mathematics Institute University of Warwick.
A 2 year PDRA is available in the mathematics Institute
modelling interactions in a bacteria-amoeba (spatial) ecology.
Individual based (stochastic) and deterministic models will be used,
utilising individual based monitoring data to extrapolate and compare
to population behaviour.
The PDRA will work with an experimental group analysing spatial data,
videos of interactions and facs data (eg size distributions), in a
variety of environments (agar plate, liquid culture, soil) monitored
at a variety of spatial and time scales. Behaviours of a number of
bacterial mutants will be compared to understand the role of specific
bacterial characteristics on the ecology. Fundamental questions
include the nature of the interaction, phenotype switching (eg
filamentous:non-filamentous shift), spatial dispersion, grazing rates
and grazing pressure, and nutrient dependence.
Candidates should have experience in one or more of the following:
spatial ecological models, individual based modelling (and
relationship to population models), data analysis (eg MCMC, maximum
likelihood), structured models, or more generally experience in
linking ecological data to models. The project will involve
programming for simulations and data analysis (C/C++, Matlab for image
analysis). Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant subject.
Enquiries welcome: Dr Nigel Burroughs, [log in to unmask] tel (+44)
(0)2476524682. Also see http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb,
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/jobs/job8271.html.
The appointment is on the RA1A scale
Applications should include 1) a completed application form,
2) full academic CV and 3) a letter outlining relevant experience and
interests. Closing date 9th December. Interviews will take place
early Jan 03. Start date Oct 03, but flexible.
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Further particulars: Modelling and analysis of a spatial microbial ecology
Microbial systems offer an opportunity to study ecological population
dynamics from the perspective of individual behaviour; their fast time
scales (relative to other ecological systems) and the ease of system
manipulation mean that the interactions can be decoupled and system
processes quantified/parametrised. Using a model 2D agar system an
amoeba-bacteria ecology can be monitored at a variety of spatial and
temporal scales to give a thorough parametrisation of individual and
population behaviour. The project will utilise a large variety of
methods including data and image analysis, statistical parameter
estimation, dynamical systems analysis of system dynamics, spatial
dynamics, structured system analysis, and generation of population
models froma probabilistic characterisation of individual processes.
At the simplist level the system is a predator-prey interaction
(amoeba the predator, bacteria the prey) and basic wave behaviour is
observed in the model system. However additional processes are of
varying importance including saprophytic growth, bacterial survival of
digestion, bacterial phenotype switch to a grazing resistant
filamentous form, amoeba encystment, and amoebal behavioural changes
depending on environment, eg speed reduction on detection of bacterial
colonies. Two other systems will also be analysed, a liquid culture
and a soil microcosm allowing an assessment of the changes to
ecosystem behaviour with environment and extrapolation to a more
realistic ecosystem. Dynamics will be compared for a
variety of bacterial mutants and between different environments to
determine key determinants of the dynamics.
The project is multidisciplinary with extensive interactions with the
Warwick microbiology group. We envisage extensive development of the
experimental system as the analysis proceeds. The PDRA will be based
in the Mathematics Institute within a group consisting of 4 permanent
members of staff and 5 postdocs (see
http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb/group.html). The position may be
attractive to a mathematical ecologist, statistician or
mathematician/physicist interested in mathematical biology.
Enquiries welcome: Dr Nigel Burroughs, [log in to unmask] tel (+44)
(0)2476524682. Also see http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb,
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/jobs/job8271.html.
Applications should include 1) a completed application form,
2) full academic CV and 3) a letter outlining relevant experience and
interests. Closing date 9th December. Interviews will take place
early Jan 03. Start date Oct 03, but flexible. Ref 14/5R/02.
___________________________________________________
Dr Nigel Burroughs,
Mathematics Institute,
University of Warwick,
Coventry CV4 7AL. UK.
Tel: 024 76 524682.
Fax: 024 76 524182.
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Web pages:
Home page http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb/
Group page http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb/group.html
Mathematics in Medicine Initiative page http://www.mimi.warwick.ac.uk/
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