A doctoral researcher position is available in Evolution of Polygenic Traits Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology- Ploen, Germany. The position is available from the earliest possible starting date. Contracts are awarded after an initial start-up phase (6 months; non-taxable stipend) for a period of three years (fully funded). Remuneration and social benefits are based on the German Civil Service Collective Agreement (TV??D Bund). The salary includes all mandatory social insurance contributions for health care, long-term care, unemployment, and retirement. The candidate will be part of the International Max Planck Research School for Evolutionary PhD, a well-established program with a vibrant research community and outstanding infrastructure. The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Ploen is an internationally oriented institution whose research focuses on the principles, mechanisms and effects of evolutionary change. Around 200 employees from more than 30 nations currently work at our institute in the departments of Theoretical Biology and Microbial Population Biology, as well as in a number of independent research groups. Project 1 - Adaptive architecture after a shift in trait optimum The genetic architecture of quantitative traits identified by QTL and GWA studies includes all contributing alleles and their effect sizes. However, only a subset of the underlying alleles responds to selection; these alleles constitute the adaptive architecture (1). Factors such as distance to the new trait optimum, initial allele frequencies, genetic redundancy and pleiotropy determine which alleles are potentially adaptive. The aim of this doctoral project is to investigate the effect of distance to trait optimum on the adaptive architectures of a polygenic trait, embryo size in Drosophila. Our group has recently developed an accurate and high-throughput method for embryo size measurement using large particle flow cytometry (2). We will establish an experimental framework to shift the average embryo size towards a larger size with different intensities in replicate populations of Drosophila. Project 2 - Evolution of gene regulatory networks Many genetic variants underlying complex traits are in regulatory regions, and adaptation can be manifested by changes in the expression of adaptive genes (3,4). Adaptation of complex traits may also take different evolutionary paths in replicate populations despite phenotypic convergence, i.e., genetic redundancy (1). Genetic redundancy could manifest itself as a change in the expression of genes in the same or different regulatory modules (with either similar or different functions) in different populations. The aim of this project is to understand how gene regulatory networks are modified during polygenic adaptation. Tissue-specific gene expression and genomic data from hundreds of individuals from multiple replicate populations adapting to a new trait optimum will be used to reconstruct gene regulatory networks. In addition, eQTL mapping will be performed to identify the genetic variation underlying the changes in adaptive gene expression. References 1. Barghi N, Hermisson J, Schl??tterer C. Polygenic adaptation: a unifying framework to understand positive selection. Nat Rev Genet. 2020 Dec;21(12):769???81. 2. Barghi N, Ramirez-Lanzas C. A high throughput method for egg size measurement in Drosophila. Sci Rep. 2023 Mar 7;13(1):3791. 3. Boyle EA, Li YI, Pritchard JK. An Expanded View of Complex Traits: From Polygenic to Omnigenic. Cell. 2017 June 15;169(7):1177???86. 4. Fagny M, Austerlitz F. Polygenic Adaptation: Integrating Population Genetics and Gene Regulatory Networks. Trends in Genetics. 2021 July 1;37(7):631???8. Qualifications - Master's degree in evolutionary biology with a strong background in population genetics or quantitative genetics. The applicant should have experience in analyzing time series data and combining bioinformatics methods with population genetic theory. Applicant for project 2 should have a strong interest in combining systems biology approaches with population genetics. - The applicant should be a curious, highly motivated and dedicated researcher with grit, i.e. the passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. - Excellent written and oral communication skills in English - Candidate should have strong programming skills (Python, R, etc.) and experience working with large datasets. How to apply - Please indicate which project you would like to apply for (you can choose more than 1). - Your application should include 1) a cover letter outlining your research interests, motivation, and relevant work experience, 2) your CV including a list of publications and methodological skills, 3) your bachelor's and/or master's degree and transcripts, and 4) contact information for two references. The cover letter should clearly and convincingly explain why you want to work on the selected project. Applications without a clear connection between the motivation in the cover letter and the project described will not be considered. Send the required application material as a single PDF to: barghi@evolbio.mpg.de by September 15th 2025. For further inquiries, please contact the principle investigator (Dr. Neda Barghi, barghi@evolbio.mpg.de) directly. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled people are expressly welcome. In addition, the Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from any background. Dr. Neda Barghi Group leader Evolution of polygenic traits group Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology Ploen Germany My working hours might be different from yours,�please do not feel obliged to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Neda Barghi (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)