PHD POSITION IN GENOMICS OF POLYGENIC ADAPTATION

Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GEFLIES), Univ. of
Groningen, The Netherlands

A fully-funded PhD position is available in the Chan Lab to work on
projects related to tracking selection response in pedigrees at the
haplotype level, with the aim of understanding the how rapid polygenic
selection in a population genetics and quantitative genetics framework,
with the possibility of a double-degree option with Prof. David FIELD
at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (more below).

We're looking for a PhD student with a population and/or statistical
genetics background to take on the analysis of a number of large
population datasets. Our group has recently developed haplotagging, a
"linked-read" sequencing technique that extends Illumina sequencing with
haplotype long-read information. We have a number of datasets ranging
from mice (both artificially selected like "Longshanks" mice and wild
island mice), humans, birds, flowering plants, fishes and more. We
are interested in detecting the signatures of (polygenic) selection
response and developing and using new concepts, e.g., large-scale
ancestral recombination graphs (ARGs) in characterising the selected
loci and haplotypes.

You will work in close coordination with Prof. Nick BARTON (IST Austria)
and/or Prof.Gerton LUNTER (Univ. Medical Centre Groningen). Our
overarching goal is to link theory with empirical genomic data. The
ideal candidates will have a strong background in bioinformatics,
including experience with genomic data analysis and strong quantitative
and programming skills. Further background in population genetics and
modelling will be an advantage.

Among the projects on offer, there is an attractive option to pursue a
cotutelle/double-degree together with our partner laboratories and/or
Universities such as with Prof. David FIELD at Macquarie University in
Sydney, Australia.

You will enjoy excellent computational and sequencing support, as well as
the opportunity to design and conduct functional tests in mice together
with our wet-bench team members.

GELIFES at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands is a unique
institute dedicated to evolutionary biology. Its members' research covers
the span from ecosystems through organismal biology to neurobehaviour. Our
group members enjoy close interactions with the labs of Felicity JONES
(molecular genetics of adaptations in sticklebacks) and Leo BEUKEBOOM
(sex determination systems). The Chan Lab is embedded in a network of
researchers with multiple ERC-funded projects from within GELIFES, in
Groningen and beyond.  We have access to state-of-the-art research and
computational facilities. All seminars and communications are in English.

Groningen is vibrant and lively; it is the youngest city in the
Netherlands. It ranks among the highest for living standards, happiness
and student satisfaction.

For informal enquiries and applications (cover letter, CV, and two
reference contacts), please e-mailfrank.chan@rug.nl. Consideration of
applications will begin on 31 Dec, 2024 and remain open until the position
is filled, with a target start date in March 2025.

Frank Chan
Associate Professor in Quantitative Genetics and Genomics
Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES)
Linnaeusborg
Nijenborgh 7
9747AG Groningen
The Netherlands

Frank Chan <frank.chan@rug.nl>

(to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to
golding@mcmaster.ca)