Thomas Claverie
Response to selection criteria
Key criteria:
Criteria: PhD in zoology, ecology or related discipline
I obtained a PhD in Biology from the University of London. During my PhD I investigated the selective pressures affecting the morphology of a crustacean claw, and as a post-doctoral researcherI investigate the evolution of the raptorial appendage in mantis shrimps (crustacean). Thus my field of expertise in Zoology lie in between evolution and functional morphology.
Criteria: Demonstrated capability for teaching zoology, quantitative biology or related disciplines at an undergraduate level
During my PhD I participated in the teaching of intensive marine biology coursesfor undergraduate students. Disciplines taught were marine vertebrate and invertebrate Zoology, as well as Marine ecology. Recently, during my post-doctorate experience, I participated in the teaching of an introductory biology course as a guest lecturer. Finally, in my research I use quantitative methods to measure the evolution of biological shape and its associated functions. I taught some of these methods to undergraduate students I supervised, two of whom were authors on prestigious peer reviewed article. For these reasons I am familiar with the teaching of discipline related to Zoology and quantitative biology to undergraduate level.
Criteria: Teaching and research skills that complement those of School staff
A large proportion of the academic personnel in the Zoology and Tropical Ecology department are proficient in behavioural disciplines, ecology, physiology and molecular study. One of my primary domains of competence lies in the field of functional morphology. I quantify biological shape and use biomechanics to understand the evolution of particular biological traits. Such skills in the department could greatly beneficiate the quantitative biology teaching curriculum as well as generate collaborative opportunity within the departmental research.
Criteria: Experience in supervision of post-graduate students
I have supervised seven undergraduate students and helped many graduate students with experimental design and statistical related questions, which in some case led to peer-reviewed publications. In each of my experiences, and particularly for graduate students, I insisted on teaching themethods or providing guidelines,and therefore give them the toolsto perform the project themselves. I greatly enjoyed these experiences and was rewarded many times by the success of these students.
Criteria: Excellence in research in whole animal biology, as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications
My research deals with the study of macroevolution of morphological diversity in organisms such as arthropods. I have a growing list of 9 peer-reviewed articles among which some were published in prestigious journal such as “Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B” and “Evolution”. During my PhD I focused at the organism’s level by investigating morphological variation across populations, while in my Post-doctorate I focus at the species level to understand the evolution of a particular trait.
Criteria: Strong interpersonal and communication skills
I have three years of teaching experience as a teaching assistant and received positive feedback from my guest lecture to undergraduate class. Furthermore, I have presented my results in more than fifteen conferences and seminars. Finally I frequently participated in outreach communication to non-academic people during aquarium tours or education of tourists during field work. For these reasons, I believe that I have the communication skills required for this position.
Criteria: Strong quantitative skills
In my research I use geometric morphometric methods to quantify shape of organisms. These methods are complex and truly quantitative since they allow measurements of minute morphological variationsas well as allow a quantification of a continuum in trait variations. Furthermore, during my carer I quantified biomechanics of movements and used population biology techniques to identify survival parameters and population structures. Finally, I program in the software R to process the multivariate morphological information collected and store all my data in database to promote efficient and powerful treatment of the multidisciplinary information.
Criteria: Capacity to attract competitive research funds
For my PhD, I was awarded a full studentship from the University of London. I received numerous positive comments on my work during international conferences and have published in prestigious scientific journal such as “Evolution” and “Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B”, which will aid in my ability to attract external funding. Furthermore, I believe that my interest for the diversification processes and the multidisciplinary nature of my research enhanced by an international experience in collaborative research are exemplary of modern life science themes financed by the major funding agencies.
Desirable criteria:
Criteria: Experience in tertiary curriculum development
During my PhD I was the student representative in the management board of the teaching comity of the Marine Biological Station in Millport. Although I was not able to participate to the decision of the teaching content of classes, my role was to represent the students and make suggestions in the way teaching was dispensed.
Criteria: Record of attracting competitive research funds
For my PhD I beneficiated from the Sheina Marshall studentship from the University of London and I am presently applying for a highly competitive postdoctoral research fellowship (NERC in UK).
Criteria: Experience in tropical ecosystems
During my Postdoctoral research, I worked in Moorea (French Polynesia), Hawaii (USA) and on the Great Barrier Reef (Queensland) for more than 3 month to study and collect Mantis Shrimps (crustaceans) in their living habitats. These animals are primarily tropical organisms and we had to work in remote tropical places to encounter them.
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