********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD position in plant-insect coadaptation A PhD position in plant-insect coadaptation is available by 1st of January 2026 in my group at the Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, for a period of four years. The position is to study patterns and mechanisms of coevolution between a plant, wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and its pollinating-herbivore, Pieris rapae. In this project, field work and greenhouse experiments will be combined with lab-based analyses to study the fitness impacts of Raphanus and Pieris on each other, and investigate patterns of trait matching between plant and insect in natural populations in Switzerland. I am looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join my team working on evolutionary question in the context of plant-insect interactions. I offer a vibrant, collaborative work environment and high-quality supervision. Several of my past PhD students have published as first authors in the highest-ranking journals such as Science, Nature Communications, New Phytologist, Functional Ecology, etc.; many have consecutively attained PostDoc positions at renowned academic institutions. You should have a Master (or comparable) degree in any field of biology and a thorough interest in evolutionary biology; proficiency in English, both orally and written, is also required. Prior experience in working with plants and/or insects, genomics analyses, and scientific publishing as well as knowledge of German is an advantage. You should like to work in the field and have some basic knowledge of plant and insect taxonomy. Our department is located in the university botanical gardens and houses modern molecular and ecological labs, including greenhouses and climate chambers for plant cultivation. The University of Zurich has a broad research coverage of organismal and molecular biology, and several research groups work on evolutionary topics (www.lifescience-zurich.ch). If you are interested in the job, please send me by e-mail (florian.schiestl@systbot.uzh.ch) a letter describing your motivation, CV, copy of degrees, publications (manuscripts), and e-mail addresses of two academic referees, by 1st of December 2025 (the job will remain open until filled). Please send all documents in a single file. If you have any further questions, don`t hesitate to contact me. "Florian P. Schiestl" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Fully funded 4-years PhD position at Uppsala University Meringosphaera evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca Project description: The position is placed in the Burki lab and aimed at characterizing a marine endosymbiosis in a group of microbial eukaryotes (protists) called Meringosphaera. These are very interesting single-celled eukaryotes that are globally distributed in the oceans and likely represent a multi-species complex that may include species with permanent photosynthetic organelles (plastids), others only stealing plastids from preys, and still others being non-photosynthetic. The overarching goal of this fully-funded four-year PhD project is to study the modifications that have occurred early during the plastid endosymbiosis in Meringosphaera at different biological levels, using advanced subcellular imaging techniques (such as Expansion Microscopy U-ExM, FIB-SEM, and HISH-SIMS), molecular methods (such as single-cell transcriptomics), and flow cytometry cell sorting. The position is based in the laboratory of Dr. Fabien Burki in the Department of Organismal Biology at Uppsala University, but includes a strong collaborative component with the laboratories of Dr. Omaya Dudin at Geneva University (Switzerland) and Dr. Filip Husnik at OIST (Okinawa, Japan).4-years PhD position at Uppsala University Duties: The project involves both lab work and bioinformatics, and the student is expected to be involved in both aspects. Lab work includes: field trips and sampling, cell isolation, imaging with advanced microscopy methods, attempts for cultivation of interesting cells in enrichment cultures, flow cytometry, and single-cell sequencing. Bioinformatics includes analysis of diversity datasets, phylogenetics, analysis of transcriptomic datasets, comparative and functional genomics. Disseminate results in appropriate formats, including leading peer-reviewed publications and conferences. Training will be provided when necessary. Requirements: Completed university education of 240 university points out of which 60 hp on advanced level corresponding to master degree in relevant field to the project. The selected candidate must possess expertise and knowledge in microbial sampling as well as identifying and handling protist cells. Experience in culturing of microbial eukaryotes, and a background in eukaryotic diversity and photosymbiosis will be seen as highly valuable. A suite of methodologies will be used as described in the project description and are all desirable attributes of the candidate. In particular, previous experience with cell sorting, volume and Expansion microscopy, as well as in general principles of fluorescence microscopy, will be looked for in candidates. Proven expertise in bioinformatics (e.g. phylogeny, genomics) and use of a scripting language (Python, R) are essential. Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities such as planning and organizational skills, problem solving and good collaborations and communication skills with other researchers. Above all, we are looking for highly-motivated candidates who are passionate about academic research. The applicant must have documented experience and proficiency in oral and written presentation in English. Position: The PhD-student position is a 4-year appointment, and the candidate will primarily devote the time to his/her own research studies. Other departmental work, such as teaching or administration are typically part of the position (maximum 20 %). Salary placement is in accordance with local guidelines at Uppsala University. The applicant must be eligible for PhD studies at Uppsala University. Application: Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2026-02-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala The application should include 1) a letter of intent describing: Yourself Your research interests Why you are interested in the position Which of your experiences and skills you consider most relevant for this role Which of your personal qualities (behaviors, abilities) you would like to highlight as suitable (note that the use of AI for writing this motivation letter is discouraged and will be regarded unfavourably) 2) a CV 3) a copy of your master degree and course grades 4) the names and contact information (address, email address, and phone number) of at least two reference persons 5) relevant publications (including master thesis). The application should be written in English. For further information about the position, please contact: Dr. Fabien Burki; fabien.burki@ebc.uu.se. How to apply and more information: https://uu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:875189/ Send you application no later than December-10 2025 N¿r du har kontakt med oss p¿ Uppsala universitet med e-post s¿ inneb¿r det att vi behandlar dina personuppgifter. F¿r att l¿sa mer om hur vi g¿r det kan du l¿sa h¿r: http://www.uu.se/om-uu/dataskydd-personuppgifter/ E-mailing Uppsala University means that we will process your personal data. For more information on how this is performed, please read here: http://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/data-protection-policy Fabien Burki (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD Position in Evolutionary Genetics, Mainz, Germany We are recruiting a highly motivated PhD candidate to study how fecundity evolves and is genetically controlled in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a recently evolved agricultural pest. The position is embedded in the DFG funded GenEvo research training group environment and supervised by Prof. Shuqing Xu . Project Most of pests have evolved high fecundity. However, the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, using Colorado potato beetle as a model system, we aim to: Identify genetic mechanisms controlling ovariole number and fecundity-related traits using established mapping populations. Characterize genetic regulations underlying the development of terminal filament cells using single-cell transcriptomics. Test whether horizontally transferred genes (HGT) in this species also shape the evolution of fecundity. Use evolutionary and population genomics to identify signatures of selection on fecundity in natural populations. The goal is to understand cellular and regulatory mechanisms underlying the evolution of fecundity in a real-world pest. Requirements Master's degree (by start date) in Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics/Genomics, Bioinformatics or related field Strong interest in evolution, genomics, and cell biology Basic experience in R or another programming language; prior experience with NGS data, single-cell, or cell biology is a plus Good English communication skills; curiosity, independence, and enjoyment of teamwork More details about the GenEvo training program and its benefits can be found here: https://www.genevo-rtg.de/training How to apply Please send one PDF including: Short motivation letter (max. 1 page) CV and transcripts/degree certificates Contact details of 2 referees to shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de with subject line 'PhD application CPB fecundity YourName'. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Prof. Dr. Shuqing Xu Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (IomE) Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Biozentrum I Hanns-Dieter-Husch-Weg 15 D-55128 Mainz Germany Phone: +49 6131 39 26907 E-mail: shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de Shuqing Xu (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Jobs******************** University of Cambridge Faculty Position in Computational Biology Applications are invited for an Assistant/ Associate Professorship in Computational Biology to commence on 1 April 2026 or shortly thereafter. This is a joint post between the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) and the Department of Genetics. Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent and be able to demonstrate an outstanding research track record within the broad area of Computational Biology. Applications are particularly encouraged from those in areas that complements and extends pre-existing strengths across Computational Biology at the University of Cambridge. An ability to teach in either the Mathematical Tripos or Natural Science Tripos is essential. Experience in encouraging and supporting applicants and students from groups underrepresented in STEM subjects, including women, will be an advantage. Details: Faculty Position in Computational Biology cam.ac.uk "F. M. Jiggins" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Other******************** The Percy Sladen Memorial Fund is a charity associated with the Linnean Society of London that offers small travel & subsistence grants (up to 2000) for fieldwork in Natural History (anthropology, archaeology, botany, geology, palaeontology and zoology). There are two application deadlines per year: 30th January and 30th September. Prospective applicants should email the fund's secretary, Elizabeth Rollinson,erollinson13@gmail.comfor an application form in good time before a deadline. With regret, the fund does not support conference attendance, visits to institutions, training, PhD students who have not submitted their dissertations or student studiesthat are part of student projects (undergrad, masters or PhD). Further information can be found here:Percy Sladen Memorial Fund Grants | The Linnean Society . Prof. J.M. Pemberton Institute of Ecology and Evolution School of Biological Sciences University of Edinburgh Charlotte Auerbach Road EH9 3FL tel 0131 650 5505 The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Is e buidheann carthannais a th' ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, clàraichte an Alba, àireamh clàraidh SC005336. Josephine Pemberton (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Postdoc:UCBerkeley.Genomics Postdoctoral position(s) in computational biology and genomics Keywords: Genomics; single cell genomics; evolution; reproduction; ecology; human disease; computational biology The Sudmant Lab (UC Berkeley) and Wilsterman Lab (Colorado State University) are seeking a joint postdoc to research the single cell evolution of the placenta and adaptation to altitude in deer mice. The Sudmant lab studies genetic and molecular phenotypic diversity at both the organismal and cellular level. We study the evolution of genome structure and cellular diversity. The Wisterman Lab studies the evolutionary and physiological processes that determine reproductive success in mammals. Our research is highly integrative at the level of the whole organism, with a particular focus on the placenta and its role in shaping maternal and fetal physiology. We are seeking a postdoc to work on a fully funded NIH project to understand cell-type specific evolution of the placenta using deer mice as a model. Human populations vary in their susceptibility to hypoxia-associated gestational complications: Populations that have adapted to high elevations over many generations (e.g., Tibetans and Andean Quechua) are at decreased risk for complications like fetal growth restriction. These population-specific protections are thought to be driven by adaptations that alter hypoxia responses at the cellular level. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), a model system in evolutionary biology, offer an experimentally-tractable system for dissecting the genetics and physiology of hypoxia-associated gestational complications with both highland- and lowland-adapted populations. This project seeks to 1) Identify how individual cell types contribute to population-specific hypoxia responses in the placenta and 2) Dissect the regulatory variation that underlies transcriptional response to hypoxia within cell types. The project is a collaboration between the Sudmant and Wilsterman Labs and the postdoc will be hosted at UC Berkeley. The position is fully funded (initial 24-month appointment, extendable) with a competitive salary scale. The ideal candidate will have strong computational and genetics experience. Our labs share a commitment to the idea that science should be fun, inclusive, collaborative, and open. Start date spring/summer 2026 Required qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent in genetics, genomics, biology, computer science or related fields and demonstrated record of productivity and publications. Experience with either generating or analyzing large-scale genomic data. Please email psudmant@berkeley.edu AND k.wilsterman@colostate.edu with your CV and a brief statement of interest for consideration. Peter Sudmant Associate Professor Department of Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley psudmant@berkeley.edu (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Hi everyone Instats is offering a 1-day seminar, Dimensionality Reduction with UMAP and Beyond 2.0, livestreaming on 25 November and led by Dr Nikolay Oskolkov from Lund University and Group Leader (PI) at LIOS. If your work involves high-dimensional genomic, morphometric, or phenotypic datasets, mastering dimensionality-reduction techniques is indispensable for extracting actionable insights and preparing data for downstream analysis. In this intensive workshop, Dr Oskolkov will guide you through both classic linear methods such as PCA and cutting-edge nonlinear approaches including t-SNE and, in particular, UMAP. You will learn why and when to reduce dimensionality, how to code and interpret each technique in R and Python, and how to avoid common pitfalls while maximising interpretability. Real©\world examples¡ªfrom visualizing population structure in genomics to analyzing complex shape data in morphometrics¡ªanchor the theory in hands-on practice, giving you the confidence to preprocess high-dimensional data, select the right algorithms, and communicate your findings effectively. https://instats.org/seminar/dimensionality-reduction-with-umap-and-b Sign up today to secure your spot, and feel free to share this opportunity with colleagues and students who might benefit! Best wishes Michael Zyphur Professor and Director Instats | instats.org Michael Zyphur (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Three workshops on SLiM. Paris, France May 18-22 Tartu Estonia, Jun 15-19 Reykjavik Iceland, Aug 17-21 --- Hi folks!  I'm excited to announce a new SLiM workshop in Paris, France, May 18-22, 2026.  It will be held at the Musee de l'Homme near the Eiffel Tower, hosted by the Anthropological Genetics team from the Eco-Anthropology lab (CNRS Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Universite Paris Cite): Nina Marchi, Frederic Austerlitz & Bruno Toupance. As background: SLiM is a software package for creating evolutionary models/simulations that are individual-based and genetically explicit. It is scriptable, flexible, fast, free, open-source, and includes an interactive graphical modeling environment.  You can read more about it on its home page (https://messerlab.org/slim/). This workshop is open for registration NOW.  It will be free, and open to participants outside of the hosting institution.  HOWEVER, registration is required, and a limited number of seats are available.  I do expect this workshop to fill, so I would recommend that you register as soon as possible. To apply, please submit a registration application at https://forms.gle/o8MzzJLck6q6v3Zu7.  There are two other workshops in 2026 also being announced, and there is one joint application form for all three workshops; you will be able to indicate your first/second/third choice if you wish.  Please read the application form carefully.  Note that there will be no automatic confirmation email after you submit the form; you will hear from me personally (bhaller@mac.com) by email once I have handled your application.  I suggest that you whitelist my email address when you apply, so that you are sure to receive my emails; if I cannot communicate with you, your registration will be dropped (and yes, this has happened).  Please do not make travel arrangements until you have been formally accepted to the workshop.  Please do not apply to a workshop unless you are sufficiently serious that you will actually attend, if accepted. There are no strict prerequisites for the workshop, but it is recommended that all attendees have at least a little experience programming; if you have no programming experience, it is recommended that you complete an introductory R course beforehand.  (SLiM does not use R, but it is similar.)  Further information for attendees can be found at http://benhaller.com/workshops/workshops_attendees.html.  Note that you will be responsible for arranging your own food, lodging, and transportation, unless the registration form indicates otherwise for the workshop(s) you decide to apply to. The plan is to cover all the major topics in the SLiM manual, starting with lots of introductory material to get beginners up to speed with SLiM and its associated scripting language Eidos, and ending up at advanced topics like non-Wright-Fisher models, tree-sequence recording, continuous-space models, nucleotide-based models, and multispecies models.  We won't cover everything in the manual that would be overwhelming! but we'll try to cover all the big topics.  There will also be time for attendees to work on their own models with help from me (most of the day Friday, typically), and we may also have time to explore some optional side topics that are of particular interest to those attending each workshop. If you want to know about other SLiM workshops, please watch the slim-discuss or slim-announce mailing lists; workshop announcements are always posted there first.  Please spread the word so more folks hear about this; feel free to share the link to this post on social media and such.  Also, I'm hoping to continue doing workshops in future; if you would like to invite me to give a workshop at your institution, please send me an email (off-list). Cheers, Benjamin C. Haller Messer Lab Cornell University --- Hi folks!  I'm excited to announce a new SLiM workshop in Tartu, Estonia, June 15-19, 2026.  It will be held at the University of Tartu (exact location TBD), hosted by Mait Metspalu and Jose Rodrigo Flores Espinosa (University of Tartu). As background: SLiM is a software package for creating evolutionary models/simulations that are individual-based and genetically explicit. It is scriptable, flexible, fast, free, open-source, and includes an interactive graphical modeling environment.  You can read more about it on its home page (https://messerlab.org/slim/). This workshop is open for registration NOW.  It will be free, and open to participants outside of the hosting institution.  HOWEVER, registration is required, and a limited number of seats are available.  I do expect this workshop to fill, so I would recommend that you register as soon as possible. To apply, please submit a registration application at https://forms.gle/o8MzzJLck6q6v3Zu7.  There are two other workshops in 2026 also being announced, and there is one joint application form for all three workshops; you will be able to indicate your first/second/third choice if you wish.  Please read the application form carefully.  Note that there will be no automatic confirmation email after you submit the form; you will hear from me personally (bhaller@mac.com) by email once I have handled your application.  I suggest that you whitelist my email address when you apply, so that you are sure to receive my emails; if I cannot communicate with you, your registration will be dropped (and yes, this has happened).  Please do not make travel arrangements until you have been formally accepted to the workshop.  Please do not apply to a workshop unless you are sufficiently serious that you will actually attend, if accepted. There are no strict prerequisites for the workshop, but it is recommended that all attendees have at least a little experience programming; if you have no programming experience, it is recommended that you complete an introductory R course beforehand.  (SLiM does not use R, but it is similar.)  Further information for attendees can be found at http://benhaller.com/workshops/workshops_attendees.html.  Note that you will be responsible for arranging your own food, lodging, and transportation, unless the registration form indicates otherwise for the workshop(s) you decide to apply to. The plan is to cover all the major topics in the SLiM manual, starting with lots of introductory material to get beginners up to speed with SLiM and its associated scripting language Eidos, and ending up at advanced topics like non-Wright-Fisher models, tree-sequence recording, continuous-space models, nucleotide-based models, and multispecies models.  We won't cover everything in the manual that would be overwhelming! but we'll try to cover all the big topics.  There will also be time for attendees to work on their own models with help from me (most of the day Friday, typically), and we may also have time to explore some optional side topics that are of particular interest to those attending each workshop. If you want to know about other SLiM workshops, please watch the slim-discuss or slim-announce mailing lists; workshop announcements are always posted there first.  Please spread the word so more folks hear about this; feel free to share the link to this post on social media and such.  Also, I'm hoping to continue doing workshops in future; if you would like to invite me to give a workshop at your institution, please send me an email (off-list). Cheers, Benjamin C. Haller Messer Lab Cornell University --- Hi folks!  I'm excited to announce a new SLiM workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, August 17-21, 2026.  It will be held at the University of Iceland (exact location TBD), hosted by Aki Jarl Laruson (Marine & Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland) and Snaebjorn Palsson (University of Iceland). As background: SLiM is a software package for creating evolutionary models/simulations that are individual-based and genetically explicit. It is scriptable, flexible, fast, free, open-source, and includes an interactive graphical modeling environment.  You can read more about it on its home page (https://messerlab.org/slim/). This workshop is open for registration NOW.  It will be free, and open to participants outside of the hosting institution.  HOWEVER, registration is required, and a limited number of seats are available.  I do expect this workshop to fill, so I would recommend that you register as soon as possible. NOTE: there will be a total solar eclipse that will be visible from western Iceland, including Reykjavík, on August 12, 2026.  You might want to arrive to Reykjavík early so you can see the eclipse!  You can read all about it here: https://eclipsophile.com/tse2026/.  Due to this eclipse, it might be difficult to book lodging, although probably that will ease up by the week of the workshop itself.  Please make sure that there are acceptable lodging options for your dates before applying for a spot in this workshop.  For the workshop itself, some university housing options might be available for external attendees, but that will not extend back to the week of the eclipse. To apply, please submit a registration application at https://forms.gle/o8MzzJLck6q6v3Zu7.  There are two other workshops in 2026 also being announced, and there is one joint application form for all three workshops; you will be able to indicate your first/second/third choice if you wish.  Please read the application form carefully.  Note that there will be no automatic confirmation email after you submit the form; you will hear from me personally (bhaller@mac.com) by email once I have handled your application.  I suggest that you whitelist my email address when you apply, so that you are sure to receive my emails; if I cannot communicate with you, your registration will be dropped (and yes, this has happened).  Please do not make travel arrangements until you have been formally accepted to the workshop.  Please do not apply to a workshop unless you are sufficiently serious that you will actually attend, if accepted. There are no strict prerequisites for the workshop, but it is recommended that all attendees have at least a little experience programming; if you have no programming experience, it is recommended that you complete an introductory R course beforehand.  (SLiM does not use R, but it is similar.)  Further information for attendees can be found at http://benhaller.com/workshops/workshops_attendees.html.  Note that you will be responsible for arranging your own food, lodging, and transportation, unless the registration form indicates otherwise for the workshop(s) you decide to apply to. The plan is to cover all the major topics in the SLiM manual, starting with lots of introductory material to get beginners up to speed with SLiM and its associated scripting language Eidos, and ending up at advanced topics like non-Wright-Fisher models, tree-sequence recording, continuous-space models, nucleotide-based models, and multispecies models.  We won't cover everything in the manual that would be overwhelming! but we'll try to cover all the big topics.  There will also be time for attendees to work on their own models with help from me (most of the day Friday, typically), and we may also have time to explore some optional side topics that are of particular interest to those attending each workshop. If you want to know about other SLiM workshops, please watch the slim-discuss or slim-announce mailing lists; workshop announcements are always posted there first.  Please spread the word so more folks hear about this; feel free to share the link to this post on social media and such.  Also, I'm hoping to continue doing workshops in future; if you would like to invite me to give a workshop at your institution, please send me an email (off-list). Cheers, Benjamin C. Haller Messer Lab Cornell University --- Ben Haller (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all, Registration is now open for the Physalia online course "eDNA Metabarcoding", which will take place from 23-27 February 2026 (2-8 PM Berlin time). Course website: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course4/ ) This course provides a comprehensive introduction to metabarcoding techniques for biodiversity assessment, from molecular protocols to bioinformatic pipelines. Participants will learn how to analyse real Illumina datasets, design their own metabarcoding projects, and interpret ecological patterns from sequencing data. For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course4/ ) Best regards, Carlo Carlo Pecoraro, Ph.D Physalia-courses DIRECTOR info@physalia-courses.org mobile: +49 17645230846 ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/physalia-courses-a64418127/ ) "info@physalia-courses.org" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)