Announcement for a PhD thesis at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK Title: Conservation Genomics to assist in the conservation and management of vulnerable raptor species Funding notes: The selected applicant will be applying for the 2025 LJMU Vice-Chancellor PhD Studentship competition (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/phd-studentship-application). If successful, the applicant will start in February 2025 and will receive three years funding covering tuition fees, UKRI-standard student stipend and research support. This competition is open to both UK and International students. Applications from candidates from under-represented ethnic minority backgrounds are encouraged. Project description: The impact of global climate changes on patterns of biodiversity and species distributions is a major current topic in Biology. However, we are only beginning to develop tools and model systems to examine how species have responded and adapted to large-scale perturbations in the past. Past demographic patterns and adaptations leave a footprint on the genomes of individuals, providing insights into past population sizes and periods of hybridization or genetic introgression from other populations or species. Analyses of genomic data can therefore throw light on the effects of past environmental changes, allowing development of predictive models for future scenarios. This project involves use of Illumina whole genome sequencing and machine learning tools to identify the main processes that have led to the present distribution of genetic diversity within several endangered raptor species (eagles and harriers). The findings will inform the conservation management strategy of the studied populations/species The PhD will involve analyses of genomic data at three levels: 1)Demographic histories among species at evolutionary and ecological times. The Spanish imperial eagle Aquila adalberti, the Eastern imperial eagle A. heliaca, the steppe eagle A. nipalensis, and the tawny eagle A. rapaxform a clade within the Aquilagroup. These species are all considered vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN.The study will try to disentangle questions on divergence times, gene flow and changes in effective population sizes (Ne) to understand the current patterns of the distribution of genetic diversity. This understanding will be informative for the management of the species in the wild. 2)Genomic analyses among populations within a species. Western European populations of the hen harrier, Circus cyaneus, will be studied. Several European countries have reported recent declines in this species suggesting a possible more extended decline for this vulnerable species. The study will provide the first data on the population genetics of this species, its levels of genetic diversity and whether the populations are connected by gene flow. 3)Diversity within a population. This will focus on a founding population of hen harriers from a captive breeding project that intends to repopulate the South-Western corner of the UK. A pedigree of the captive population will be established from whole genome data and provide a basis for genomic monitoring of the captive population and released individuals.The aim is to maintain high levels of genetic diversity in the captive population while avoiding increased genetic load. Supervisory team The PhD student will join our School of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES) at the Liverpool John Moores University and work under the supervisory team of Dr Bego�a Mart�nez-Cruz, Dr Gareth Weedall and Prof Richard Brown from BES. The PhD will require use of established genomic and machine learning tools and therefore require previous experience of Bioinformatics/computational statistics and background in genomics. Good communication skills, ability to meet deadlines and an ability to work both independently and with the supervisory team is essential. Please explain in your cover letter and evidence in your CV how your experiences meet the criteria. How to apply To apply email a CVand covering letterde tailing your suitability for the project and contact details of two referees to Dr Bego�a Mart�nez-Cruz (b.martinezcruz@ljmu.ac.uk). The deadline for applications is the 15thof June. Applicants must be available for an interview (by video if necessary) at the end of June and able to start in February 2025. Additional notes The Faculty of Science and its three Schools: Biological & Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, and Sports & Exercise Science, have dedicated Diversity and Inclusion (DI) Groups. The individual School Diversity & Inclusion Coordinators and the Faculty Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion lead collective action to promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity. All Schools are awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze in recognition of their respective equality initiatives and action plans. Also, Schools have proactive diversity and inclusion groups that are aimed to support staff and students by addressing the inclusivity requirements that are unique to each School, in alignment with the LJMU Diversity & Inclusion policies. Applicants are invited to visit the Faculty of Science https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-scienceand follow the link to each School. Life in Liverpool Liverpool is a vibrant city that offers a wide variety of world class museums, first rate dining experience, a buzzing atmosphere and a fantastic cultural scene. It is the 5thmost visited city in the UK thanks to its rich history, beautiful architecture and diverse nightlife. Besides there are plenty of cultural, social, and sportive activities for families, with good schools for children and teenagers, as well as three universities. Although it is among the major cities in the UK, property prices remain comparatively low. According to the portal Numbeo, the cost-of-living index shows that life in Liverpool is 20% lower than in London (40% when the rent is included). Bego�a Martinez-Cruz, PhD Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Conservation Genetics School of Biological and Environmental Sciences Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF t: 0151 904 6331 e: B.MartinezCruz@ljmu.ac.uk See my Tutor: https://seemytutor.ljmu.ac.uk/Book.aspx?epn=AGpQCRUE Important Notice: Liverpool John Moores University was established as a Higher Education Corporation under section 121 of the Education Reform Act 1988. Further information about Liverpool John Moores University can be found at https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us The information in this email and any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to an intended recipient, you should delete it from your system immediately without disclosing its contents elsewhere and advise the sender by returning the email or by telephoning a number contained in the body of the email. 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