The genomics of local adaptation in a spruce hybrid zone
Yeaman Lab
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary

I am seeking to recruit a PhD student to study the genomic basis of local
adaptation in the hybrid zone of white and Engelmann spruce in Alberta's
Rocky Mountains (Banff, Kananaskis). Preliminary sequencing of samples
along elevational transects shows strong patterns of differentiation
and local adaptation, with remarkable similarity to patterns found
across broader latitudinal clines in central British Columbia
(https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.08.669264v1). Much
remains to be discovered, including broadening the scale of sampling
& sequencing, studying phenological barriers to gene flow, GWAS of
phenotypic variation in common gardens, and conducting experiments
to assess the genomic basis of survival beyond the species alpine
range limit. Depending on a candidate's experience and interest, this
project can include field work in the Rocky Mountains or be focused only
on bioinformatics/genomic analysis or the application of theoretical
approaches to making spatially explicit predictions for the hybrid
zone. It would be interesting to use some combination of traditional
statistical approaches and image analysis/convolution neural networks
to study patterning both in space and along the genome. Finally, it is
also possible to expand this project to include the study of patterns
of repeated adaptation across other conifer species or plant species
more broadly, depending on the student's area of interest.

This position will have a tax-free stipend of at least CAD $35k/year.

TO APPLY: Please send a CV and a short description of your
interest in the position and any relevant research experience to
samuel.yeaman@ucalgary.ca, along with the names and emails of three
people I could contact for reference letters. I will begin reviewing
applications on October 15th 2025, but please contact me to check in if
you need to make a quick decision.

samuel.yeaman@ucalgary.ca

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