Graduate position: PhD Position (w/m/d, 65 %, EG 13 TV-L, 3 years) Transcriptional Regulation in Beetle Sociality Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt, Germany. Collaboration with Bayreuth University, Freiburg University, LMU München and Coventry University. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Subsociality is widely considered a prerequisite for the evolution of eusociality, as it introduces key behaviours, such as parental care and prolonged parent-offspring interactions, that can be co-opted and elaborated upon to form more complex social systems. Recently, we have been investigating the genomic basis of subsociality in 20 species of two distantly related beetle families, the weevils (Curculionidae) and carrion beetles (Staphylinidae: Silphinae), with varying degrees of sociality. Our comparative genomics analyses revealed convergent gene losses and a relaxation of selection with the onset of offspring attendance. Gene expression analyses reveal that the switch from the non-caring phase to pre-hatching care behaviour results in the strongest change in gene expression across species. Interestingly, both the genomic and transcriptomic analyses identifed gene regulatory mechanisms as being most strongly associated with social behaviour. We now plan to identify gene regulatory mechanisms involved in the differences and changes in gene expression associated with parental care and thus the onset of sociality. The accompanying project in München and Coventry will conduct a genome-wide screen for patterns associated with sociality using state-of-the-art machine learning approaches, and develop stochastic models to infer the importance of regulatory mechanisms. This project will thus shed light on the evolution of mechanisms involved in the transition from solitary to social life in insects. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with interest in molecular evolution, genomics, epigenetics, and behavior to identify key regulators and epigenetic modifications shaping the evolution of social behavior using a multi-omics approach. YOUR TASKS * Conduct experimental work to collect samples from eight beetle species across three parental-care phases from carrion and ambrosia beetles. * Perform essential laboratory work (e.g. RNA extraction, library preparation * Carry out bioinformatic analyses to integrate gene-expression data with epigenetic regulatory states. * Publish results in internationally peer-reviewed journals, and present those at international conferences. * Closely collaborate with the modelling counterpart YOUR PROFILE * Master's degree (by start date) in Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics or related field * Strong interest in behavior, evolution, and genomics * Prior experience with NGS data, R, another programming language is a plus * Experience with formulating scientific questions, planning and executing a research project * Very good English communication skills; curiosity, independence, and interest to collabora-tively work in an interdisciplinary team DESIRABLE SKILLS * Experience in conducting experiments * Experience in dissection of specific tissues * Experience in molecular laboratory procedures, including RNA extraction, preparation of Enzyme-seq and CUT&Tag libraries * Experience in the bioinformatic analyses of transcriptome, methylation and/or histone modifi-cation data WE OFFER * Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers, and research organizations * Integration in an interdisciplinary consortium studying the "GEvol: Genomic Basis of Evolu-tionary Innovations   (GEvol)" with additional training opportunities and collaborations across Germany. * A dynamic working environment in Frankfurt, a diverse and vibrant city offering a high quality of life. TO APPLY Please upload your application as a single PDF file including letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as letter(s) of recommendation, if available) (as a single PDF file) on our website (https://www.senckenberg.de/de/stellenanzeigen/) by March 29, 2026. Job Announcement Ref. #11-26011 Expected starting date: as early as possible. If you have any specific questions about the position, please contact Dr. Barbara Feldmeyer at barbara.feldmeyer@senckenberg.de https://www.senckenberg.de/en/research/institutes-overview/sbikf-institut/sbikf-ag-molecular-ecology/ Dr. Barbara Feldmeyer Molecular Ecology Group Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16 D-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany Phone: +49 69 7542 1839 Email:barbara.feldmeyer@senckenberg.de https://www.senckenberg.de/de/forschung/institute-uebersicht/sbikf-biodiversitaet-und-klima-forschungszentrum/ag-molekulare-oekologie/ https://www.senckenberg.de/de/institute/sbik-f/ --- Graduate position: PhD Position (w/m/d, 65 %, EG 13 TV-L, 3 years) Transcriptional Regulation of Odorant Perception Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt, Germany. Collaboration with Freiburg University, Mainz University, TUM München, Würzburg University. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Understanding the evolution of complex communication systems requires investigating both signal production and signal perception. In insects, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are central to chemical communication, yet the genomic mechanisms underlying the ability to perceive particular CHC compound blends remain largely unknown. Odorant receptor (OR) gene expression levels change when their corresponding encoded receptor proteins bind to specific odorants. The aim of this project is to determine the epigenetic mechanisms in regulating OR gene expression, and whether this regulation is consistent across our hymenopteran study species. This multi-omics approach will yield key insights into the genomic basis of the evolution of complex chemical communication systems, revealing how sender and receiver traits have evolved in concert. The project is in close collaboration with the research groups of PD Dr. Florian Menzel (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), PD Dr. Jan Büllesbach (Technical University of Munich), and Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmitt (University of Würzburg) and involves close cooperation with a second PhD student in the project who will lead the chemical ecology and comparative genomics analyses located in the groups of Prof. Dr. Oliver Niehuis and PD Dr. Volker Nehring (University of Freiburg). We are recruiting a highly motivated PhD candidate with interest in molecular evolution, genomics, epigenetics, and chemical ecology to identify epigenetic mechanisms regulating odorant receptor expression, one of the key traits in chemical communication systems. YOUR TASKS * Conduct experimental work to collect samples from eight beetle species across three parental-care phases from carrion and ambrosia beetles. * Perform essential laboratory work (e.g. RNA extraction, library preparation * Carry out bioinformatic analyses to integrate gene-expression data with epigenetic regulatory states. * Publish results in internationally peer-reviewed journals, and present those at international conferences. * Closely collaborate with the modelling counterpart YOUR PROFILE * Master's degree (by start date) in Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics or related field * Strong interest in behavior, evolution, and genomics * Prior experience with NGS data, R, another programming language is a plus * Experience with formulating scientific questions, planning and executing a research project * Very good English communication skills; curiosity, independence, and interest to collabora-tively work in an interdisciplinary team DESIRABLE SKILLS * Experience in conducting experiments * Experience in dissection of specific tissues * Experience in molecular laboratory procedures, including RNA extraction, preparation of Enzyme-seq and CUT&Tag libraries * Experience in the bioinformatic analyses of transcriptome, methylation and/or histone modifi-cation data WE OFFER * Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers, and research organizations * Integration in an interdisciplinary consortium studying the "GEvol: Genomic Basis of Evolu-tionary Innovations   (GEvol)" with additional training opportunities and collaborations across Germany. * A dynamic working environment in Frankfurt, a diverse and vibrant city offering a high quality of life. TO APPLY Please upload your application as a single PDF file including letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as letter(s) of recommendation, if available) (as a single PDF file) on our website (https://www.senckenberg.de/de/stellenanzeigen/) by April 6, 2026. Job Announcement Ref. #11-26010 Expected starting date: as early as possible. If you have any specific questions about the position, please contact Dr. Barbara Feldmeyer at barbara.feldmeyer@senckenberg.de https://www.senckenberg.de/en/research/institutes-overview/sbikf-institut/sbikf-ag-molecular-ecology/ Dr. Barbara Feldmeyer Molecular Ecology Group Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16 D-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany Phone: +49 69 7542 1839 Email:barbara.feldmeyer@senckenberg.de https://www.senckenberg.de/de/forschung/institute-uebersicht/sbikf-biodiversitaet-und-klima-forschungszentrum/ag-molekulare-oekologie/ https://www.senckenberg.de/de/institute/sbik-f/ Barbara Feldmeyer (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)