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
researcher I 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 courses for
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 the methods or providing guidelines, and therefore give them the tools to 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 peerreviewed 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
1
Thomas Claverie
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 variations as 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.
2