In a collaborative project between Naturalis Biodiversity Centre and Leiden University (Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science) we are looking for a computer scientist with an interest in biology or a bioinformatician with knowledge in pattern recognition and image analysis. Experience with state-of-the-art techniques such as CNN’s are considered valuable. If you are interested you are very much invited to apply for the position.

Acoustic string instruments are made of several hardwood species including ebony (Diospyros). Many species of ebony are nowadays over-exploited in the wild. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) placed all species of ebony from Madagascar on Appendix II in 2014 but other species are not legally protected. Computational microscopic phenotyping based on wood anatomical sections, chemical profiling and DNA barcoding are increasingly used to recognize wood traded under Forest Stewardschip Council (FSC) labels. Therefore, anatomy data, DNA barcodes and DART-TOF MS will be collected from reference specimens. Metabarcodes will be generated from ebony wood used in (parts of) instruments supplied by violon and bow builders and compared with microscopy, DART-TOF MS and bomb peak calibrated C14-dates to distinguish antique wood from wood harvested after 2013. Objective:Species-level identification of ebony wood for control of trade in legally protected species.

Supervisors: Barbara Gravendeel and Frederic Lens from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and promotor Fons Verbeek, Leiden University, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). Planned secondments to Leiden University and Copenhagen University and short visits to the Dutch association of violin and bow makers and World Justice Commission.