********************PostDocs******************** Switzerland_ForestTreesGeneEnvironmentInteractions In the framework of the ERC Consolidator Grant "MyGardenOfTrees", the Evolutionary Genetics Group offers a 2-year position starting 1 June 2024 or soon after a PostDoc position in evolutionary quantitative genetics of forest trees. Evolutionary Genetics Group is interested in understanding the roles of demography and natural selection in shaping the life-histories and the genetic composition of forest tree populations across the landscape. The group uses field experiments, statistical models, and individual-based computer simulations to answer fundamental evolutionary questions and to aid adaptive forest management decisions. How organisms adapt to their environments is the most fundamental question in evolutionary biology and is of utmost importance given current climate change threats. Identifying key traits involved in adaptations and understanding how they interact with each other, and with the environment, is a particularly urgent task for foundation and resource-production species, such as forest trees. Existing experiments, so-called provenance trials, assessing the local suitability of tree species and provenances lack scalability and predictability across the species range, and especially at the species range margins. MyGardenOfTrees proposes a novel participatory science approach. In 2023, an unprecedented "distributed" provenance trial was launched across Europe, where over 300 of voluntary foresters established a small common garden trial (a micro-garden) and evaluate the regeneration and early growth capacity of two forest tree species complexes (Abies spp and Fagus spp). Observations obtained from these trials will be combined with whole genome sequencing data from the seed source mother trees, and using tools borrowed from plant breeding, used to develop a prediction tool for foresters to help them build forests better adapted to climate change. See more information about the participatory aspects of the project at www.mygardenoftrees.eu This postdoc position will focus on addressing the role of gene-environment interactions in seedling performance using a combination of trait data, genomics, and environmental data. Three trait datasets will be available for analysis: one readily available from the pilot trials, another also available from climate chamber trials, and lastly from the main trials, data from the first growing season by the end of 2023. Genomics data will be available for Fagus by March 2024 and for Abies by the end of 2024. Bioinformatics analysis will be performed in collaboration with two PhD students and with the Genetic Diversity Centre (GDC) of the ETH Zurich. The ultimate goal of the project is to estimate the reaction norms (phenotypic expression) of different populations and lineages across a large range of environments and incorporate this information into a genomic prediction model. The position involves only data analysis and statistical modeling. Some wet lab work is possible, depending on the candidate's interests. The ideal candidate holds a PhD degree in quantitative genetics/genomics, plant evolutionary biology, and/or forestry. Solid background (or strong motivation to develop skills) in plant/animal breeding methods (mixed-effects models), bioinformatics, and seedling development/physiology are necessary, as well as fluency in R/Python. Knowledge of ASReml-R is a plus. Experience in working with forest trees is not essential but is an advantage. We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative thinker who can make the most of this non-conventional and unprecedented trait and genomic data in hand. Capacity to produce scientific publications in top ranking journals is expected. The position will be based at WSL in Birmensdorf, close to Zurich, at the footsteps of the Swiss Alps. Zurich is home to a vibrant scientific community with its numerous universities (UZH, ETH) and research institutes (WSL, Eawag, Empa) and is famous for a high quality of living. Applications, including a motivation letter, a summary of past relevant accomplishments, a CV, and the names and contact details of two referees should be uploaded here: https://apply.refline.ch/273855/1612/pub/4/index.html Applications via email will not be considered. Dr Katalin Csilléry (project PI, katalin.csillery(at)wsl.ch, Tel. +41 44 739 23 43) will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. Katalin Csilléry, Group Leader, Evolutionary Genetics Group, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Unit Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland Office: Bi MG E floor, Tel: +41 44 739 2343, Email: katalin.csillery@wsl.ch Web: evolgenetgroup and MyGardenOfTrees Katalin Csilléry (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all We have still some places available and have thus prolonged the application deadline for our TRAINING AND RESEARCH WORKSHOP IN "EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS FOR PLANT MODELS AND CROPS". New registration deadline :Friday19th April May 13-17, 2024 | CIBIO-InBIO, Vairão, Portugal We are pleased to announce that the third edition of the Training and Research Workshop in "Evolutionary genomics for plant models and crops" will take place at CIBIO-InBIO/BIOPOLIS, Campus de Vairão, University of Porto, Portugal,from 13 to 17 May 2024. For those who attended previous editions, please note that topics and most of the speakers have changed! This workshop is meant for PhD students but will also be opened to Master students and post-docs. It will present major on-going research topics in plant evolutionary genomics, covering both methodological and biological questions, fundamental and applied perspectives, model plants and crops. Each theme (day) will be covered by 2 talks given by international specialistsand a round table with both speakers moderated by an in-house researcher from the field. Talks will be 1h30 research-oriented lectures (with 30 min of a general/large scope introduction on the subject). A lot of interaction is expected during these lectures: questions will be asked during the talks and at the round table. The workshop is also meant to be a platform for connecting students andlabs in this field, internationally. Registration deadline :April 19, 2024 All applicants will be notified about whether they are accepted until April 23, 2024. The program, practical information and registration platform can be foundHERE Participation is free of charge for BIODIV and Univ. of Montpellier students. If you have any questions you may contact us by mail at:post.graduation@cibio.up.pt Best regards, Raquel Tavares Raquel Tavares (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** The course "Integrative taxonomy in the "big data" era" will be from the 10th to the 14th of June, 2024, at the MNHN of Paris, France. The course is in English. To register, please fill the form on the website of the course https://sites.google.com/site/coursbarcode/home If you have any question, please contact: Nicolas Puillandre ( puillandre@mnhn.fr ) Sarah Samadi ( sarah@mnhn.fr ) Nicolas PUILLANDRE (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear colleagues, There are 3 slots available for Transmitting Science's online course "Geometric Morphometrics in R". This course can be of interest to any evolutionary biologist interested in quantifying/comparing shapes across populations, species, etc. Dates and schedule: Online live sessions 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th of May from 12:00 to 17:00 (Madrid time zone). Instructor: Dr. Julien Claude, author of the book "Morphometrics with R [1]" (Institut des Sciences de l'�volution de Montpellier, France). Course Overview Concepts in geometric morphometrics will be taught using a series of original data sets and working in R for solving a series of tasks. The course will start with an introduction to R and rapidly go into shape analysis with measurements, landmark data, and outlines. The participants are welcome to bring their own data and problems so that we may find R solutions. Full program here: https://www.transmittingscience.com/courses/geometric-morphometrics/geometric-morphometrics-r/#toggle-id-1 More information and registration: https://www.transmittingscience.com/courses/geometric-morphometrics/geometric-morphometrics-r/ or writing to courses@transmittingscience.com Best wishes Sole Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno, PhD Transmitting Science Full list of courses: www.transmittingscience.com/courses Twitter @SoleDeEsteban Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2049-0890 Under the provisions of current regulations on the protection of personal data, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 (GDPR), we inform you that personal data and email address, collected from the data subject will be used by TRANSMITTING SCIENCE SL to manage communications through email and properly manage the professional relationship with you. The data are obtained based on a contractual relationship or the legitimate interest of the Responsible, likewise the data will be kept as long as there is a mutual interest for it. The data will not be communicated to third parties, except for legal obligations. We inform you that you can request detailed information on the processing as well as exercise your rights of access, rectification, portability and deletion of your data and those of limitation and opposition to its treatment by contacting Calle Gardenia, 2 Urb. Can Claramunt de Piera CP: 08784 (Barcelona) or sending an email to info@transmittingscience.com or http://transmittingscience.com/additional-terms. If you consider that the processing does not comply with current legislation, you can complain with the supervisory authority at www. aepd.es . Confidentiality. - The content of this communication, as well as that of all the attached documentation, is confidential and is addressed to the addressee. If you are not the recipient, we request that you indicate this to us and do not communicate its contents to third parties, proceeding to its destruction. Disclaimer of liability. - The sending of this communication does not imply any obligation on the part of the sender to control the absence of viruses, worms, Trojan horses and/or any other harmful computer program, and it corresponds to the recipient to have the necessary hardware and software tools to guarantee both the security of its information system and the detection and elimination of harmful computer programs. TRANSMITTING SCIENCE SL shall not be liable. Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all, It is still possible to join us for our online course on Generalized Linear Models in R in May (6-10). Course website: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/glm-in-r-1 ) The course is aimed at graduate students and researchers with basic statistical knowledge that want to learn how to analyze experimental and observation data with generalized linear regression models in R. Basic knowledge means that we assume knowledge about foundational statistical concepts (e.g. standard error, p-value, hypothesis testing) that are usually covered in a first introductory statistics class. Participants should also be familiar with Rstudio and have some experience in programming R code, including being able to import, manipulate (e.g. modify variables) and visualize data. At the end of this course, attendees will be able to: 1. Specify and fit generalized linear regression models in R, choosing the appropriate distribution and link function according for your data. 2. Interpret the parameter estimates of the fitted models, including the correct interpretation of categorical predictors (e.g. contrasts, ANOVA, post-hoc testing), and calculate predictions from your model. 3. Understand the principles of model selection to choose the correct model / regression formula for your question. 4. Visualize the fitted models to check assumptions, communicate results, and increase understanding. 5. Acquire the foundations and some first ideas to move on to more complex regression models (e.g. Generalized Linear Mixed Models, Generalized Additive Models, Bayesian modeling) in the future. For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/glm-in-r-1 ) Best regards, Carlo Carlo Pecoraro, Ph.D Physalia-courses DIRECTOR info@physalia-courses.org mobile: +49 17645230846 "info@physalia-courses.org" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Hi everyone, We would like to welcome you to attend Genome Science UK 2024, Bristol, 16-18th July 2024. Join us at Genome Science UK 2024, the premier gathering for genomics researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders in the UK. Taking place in the vibrant city of Bristol, July 16th-18th, this three-day conference offers a unique opportunity to hear from world-renowned leaders in the field such Richard Durbin (University of Cambridge), Matt Brown(Chief Scientific Officer, Genomics England), and Peter Holland (University of Oxford). The conference covers the latest advancements across various priority areas, including Evolving Technologies, Human & Clinical Genomics, Evolutionary Genomics, Plant and Animal Genomics, Microbes and Microbiomes, Epigenetics, Bioinformatics & Machine Learning in Genomics, Single-Cell Genomics, or Genome Engineering. Discover the latest technologies and solutions shaping the future of genomics at our dedicated exhibitor booths. Genome Science UK 2024 promises to be an unforgettable event. Register now at https://bristol.genomescience.org.uk/register Limited early-bird registration discounts are available until 30th April. Students early bird registration �225, delegates early bird �260, industry attendees �400. Sion and Jordi School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol Life Sciences Building 24 Tyndall Avenue Bristol, BS8 1TQ Jordi Paps Montserrat (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)