Project Description: The developer's primary duty will be to work with the Spider Assembling the Tree of Life project (http://research.amnh.org/atol/files/) and Morphbank (www.morphbank.net) to disseminate effectively the data from the Spider AToL project. The dissemination methodology will be developed in collaboration between Morphbank, Jonathan Coddington (Spider AToL, Smithsonian Institution) and the postdoctoral fellow. The Spider AToL has created approx. 25,000 images illustrating a complex set of morphological features, approx. 1,000 phylogenetic characters for approximately 400 spider genera, all organized via a specific, controlled morphological vocabulary (ontology). These images and data will be searchable in various ways, displayed in an educational and intuitive manner, and linked to annotations and metadata via back-end databases. The system will integrate with Morphbank scientific and educational tools being developed as well as the modular evolutionary analysis tool Mesquite (http://mesquiteproject.org/mesquite/mesquite.html), taking characters, taxa, and ontologies into account. The system will import/export matrices as Nexus or/and other file formats, or serve such data remotely as requested. The methodology developed for disseminating the Spider AtoL data will be flexible and repeatable to be used by other biodiversity projects using Morphbank as an image repository.

Qualifications: Expertise in databases, biodiversity informatics, and Web development is required. Knowledge of taxonomy of one or more taxa of arachnids is desirable. Familiarity with basic biological sciences and a strong programming background is required. Preference will be given to applicants whose expertise complements the complexity of the project’s goals. Highly qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of level of education.

Benefits: Travel expenses between Washington DC and Tallahassee Fl., participation at professional meeting is encouraged.

Available: Immediately, one year with possibility of extension.

Application: Submit application electronically to Greg Riccardi (riccardi@ci.fsu.edu). The application package should include the following: 1) cover letter; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) two professional letters of recommendation.