What is Invertebrate Zoology?

Invertebrate zoology is the study of the vast majority of diversity contained within the 34 extant phyla (major categories) of animal life-- the Metazoa.

Within the broad category of invertebrate zoology, malacology is devoted to the study of mollusks, the second largest phylum of animals in terms of described species. It has historically been the main focus of invertebrate studies at FLMNH. About 100,000 species of mollusks are known, and FLMNH holds over 30,000 species among over 400,000 lots of specimens.

Over 370,000 lots are now databased and accessible online. The collection is among the five largest in the US, and one of the most rapidly growing. It is the second largest mollusk collection in the world in online accessibility.

News

Post-doctoral fellowship opportunities in Okinawa, Japan

The Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Lab at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan is actively seeking post- doctoral fellows for fellowships beginning in the second half of 2009 or 2010. The fellowships are provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science through overseas nominating authorities, primarily for researchers from countries in Europe, Oceania, and North America.

Priority will be given to research projects investigating the ecology, taxonomy and/or phylogeny of tropical/sub-tropical marine invertebrates. MISE offers a great location in subtropical Okinawa with many field opportunities, and a clean and new lab. If you are interested or have questions, e-mail jreimer at sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

For details and a complete list please refer to:http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/postdoctoral.html on the worldwide web, or search "jsps post doc" through Google or a similar search engine.

Fellowship details are as follows (note: conditions may slightly vary based on applicant's nominating authority): Host Research Institutions: Japanese universities and university- related research institutions.

Fellowship Tenure: A period of 12 months up to 24 months.

Terms of Awards:

A round-trip air ticket (economy class) for the fellow only
A monthly maintenance allowance of ¥200,000~350,000 (this will vary based on nationality, etc).
A "setting allowance" of ¥200,000
A monthly housing allowance of up to ¥100,000
A monthly family allowance of ¥50,000, if accompanied by dependent(s)
Accident and sickness insurance coverage for the fellow only
The Fellows are usually awarded Monbusho's research grants of up to ¥1,500,000 per year for equipment, materials, supplies and domestic travel.

Eligibility:

Candidates must be holders of a doctoral degree that was received within six years of the April of the fiscal year which the fellowship commences.

How to Apply:

Application Through a Nominating Institution: Applicants should contact the nominating institution in their respective countries for application forms. All applicants are required to establish affiliation with a Japanese researcher.

Again, please send any enquiries to myself at James David Reimer (jreimer@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp).