Research assistant (praedoc) (m/f/d)

Sauropod dinosaurs reached a weight of up to 70 tons and increased their body mass by a factor of 2500 during their growth. Their skeletons had to adapt to this weight gain, so some bones probably changed shape significantly as they grew. However, little is known about these changes, as finds of juvenile sauropods are rare. When they are found, their identification is difficult.
Some of the changes that these animals underwent during their growth correspond to changes that occurred during the evolution of the group. Young individuals could therefore exhibit features that appeared in species that existed earlier than those to which they actually belonged. A recently acquired collection of flagellicaudatan sauropods from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation in Wyoming, USA, provides a unique opportunity to determine these changes and their impact on phylogenetic analyses. The five specimens from three different growth stages (1 recently hatched juvenile, 2 slightly older juveniles, 2 subadults) were all found at the same locality. Preliminary analyses indicate that they could all be from the same species, so this could be one of the most complete growth series of Flagellicaudata. All skeletons also have preserved cranial, axial, and appendicular bones, which is extremely rare.
The research assistant will scientifically describe the skeletons and determine their systematics by means of phylogenetic analysis. In addition, a series of tests will be carried out to identify features that change with growth. Based on these tests, different weighting methods can be tested to reduce the impact of such variable traits on the phylogenetic analysis. These analyses will allow existing ontogenetic frameworks for flagellicaudatans to be updated and to assess whether certain parts of the skeleton change more than others during growth.
This project combines traditional descriptive paleontology with the most modern approaches of phylogenetic and systematic research. It is carried out in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (Hamburg, Germany) and the Natural History Museum Basel (Switzerland), where the five skeletons are currently being prepared and stored. The research assistant will have to travel frequently to Hamburg and Basel to accompany the preparation scientifically and to describe the bones in detail. This also includes the documentation of individual bones with CT scans, including segmentation of the data. In addition, trips to the American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA) and the Carnegie Museum (Pittsburgh, USA) are planned in order to study comparative material. Towards the end of the project, there is the possibility of working on the conception of exhibitions in Hamburg and Basel, where the current research results will be incorporated.

Your tasks:

• Conducting research on the systematics, evolution and ontogeny of flagellicaudatan sauropods.
• Scientific supervision of the preparation of sauropod skeletons in Hamburg and Basel.
• Description of five sauropod skeletons.
• Preparation of CT-scans of bones in Hamburg, and processing of the data (3D segmentation and modeling) in Berlin.
• Phylogenetic analysis of flagellicaudatan sauropod data.
• Publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals and presentation of results at national and international conferences.
• Close collaboration with project partners, including the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (Hamburg, Germany), and the Natural History Museum Basel (Switzerland)

• MSc in Paleontology, Earth Sciences, or a closely related discipline completed at the time of recruitment.

Desirable:

• Previous knowledge in phylogenetic analysis and osteology of sauropods
• Experience in the processing of CT data.
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Good organizational skills
• Good command of written and spoken English (C1)
• The working language in the paleoclimatology group is English. Knowledge of German would be an advantage, but is not required at the time of recruitment.

Freie Universität Berlin promotes equal opportunity and diversity and particularly welcomes applications from minorities who are underrepresented in academia. Preference will be given to women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements.

• Salary according to the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) as E13.
• Opportunities to present research findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Access to modern research facilities.
• Flexible working hours in a family-friendly environment.
• Career training and development opportunities at the Dahlem Research School.
• Opportunities to supervise Bachelor and Master students, and to teach.

The application should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Letter of application quoting the reference number Dino_2025.
• Copies of degree certificates (BSc and MSc).
• Contact details of two referees.

If you have any questions regarding the call for applications, please contact Dr. Emanuel Tschopp via e.tschopp@fu-berlin.de

Please note that the interviews will be conducted online!

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, no later than April 14th, 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Mr. Dr. Emanuel Tschopp: bewerbungpaleo@geo.fu-berlin.de or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geowissenschaften
Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften
Dr. Emanuel Tschopp
Malteserstr. 74-100
12249 Berlin (Lankwitz)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.