We are advertising two PhD projects for highly motivated and enthusiastic students to study the evolution, development and genomics of sexual traits in stalk-eyed flies: *Project: Genomics and development of an exaggerated sexual trait in stalk-eyed flies * *Project: **The impact of climate change on sexually selected traits and its consequences for evolutionary fitness * *Deadline for applying: Wednesday, January 7, 2026* Lead supervisor: Dr Alison Wright, University of Sheffield ( a.e.wright@sheffield.ac.uk) *Project 1: Genomics and development of an exaggerated sexual trait in stalk-eyed flies* While most body parts grow in proportion to overall body size, many traits develop to become disproportionately elaborate or extended. These exaggerated appendages are costly to produce and are often present only in males. Why these traits arise, and how extreme growth is facilitated and uncoupled between males and females has fascinated biologists for centuries. This project will interrogate the genomic and developmental basis of an exaggerated sexual trait in stalk-eyed flies. Stalk-eyed flies are a classic model of sexual selection as they exhibit highly-exaggerated eye-stalks, with males often having an eye span greater than their body length. We will capitalise on recent advances in single-cell sequencing, bioimaging techniques and gene editing to provide transformative insights into longstanding questions about how exaggerated traits develop and evolve. Co-supervisors: Dr Matt Towers (U. Sheffield), Dr Domino Joyce (U. Hull), Prof Andrew Pomiankowski (UCL) & Prof Kanchon Dasmahapatra (U. York) For details on how to apply, including eligibility, see: https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/bbsrc-yorkshire-bioscience-dla-programme-genomics-and-development-of-an-exaggerated-sexual-trait-in-stalk-eyed-flies/?p189983 *The Team* The PhD student will be joining a productive and collaborative research group in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. There will be many opportunities to collaborate with ongoing work in the lab. For more details see www.alisonewright.co.uk. The applicant will also benefit from the diverse range of expertise offered by the co-supervisors. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Alison Wright, the lead supervisor, for more details on the group, project and facilities ( a.e.wright@sheffield.ac.uk). *Project 2: The impact of climate change on sexually selected traits and its consequences for evolutionary fitness* Sexual selection plays a key role in shaping traits that influence reproductive success, such as elaborate ornaments and courtship behaviors. These traits are costly to produce and maintain, making them highly sensitive to environmental stress. However, the impact of climate change stressors on sexually selected traits remains poorly understood. Disruption of sexual signaling can alter mate choice, reproductive success, and diminish population resilience, ultimately affecting species' ability to reproduce, adapt and persist in a warming world. We propose an interdisciplinary project that integrates experimental, ecological, theoretical and genomic approaches using stalk-eyed flies. The specific questions and approaches taken during the project can be tailored to the particular interests of the student. The student will be supervised by a diverse team with expertise in all aspects of the work, including single-cell genomics, sexual selection and reproduction, gene editing, experimental approaches, and stalk-eyed fly biology. Co-supervisors: Dr Vicky Lloyd (U. Sheffield), Dr Nic Hemmings (U. Sheffield), Dr Stu Wigby (U. Liverpool), Prof Andrew Pomiankowski (UCL) & Prof Kanchon Dasmahapatra (U. York) For details on how to apply, including eligibility, see: https://accedtp.ac.uk https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/acce-dla-programme-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-sexually-selected-traits-and-its-consequences-for-evolutionary-fitness/?p189806 Dr Alison Wright Senior Lecturer School of Biosciences University of Sheffield Alison E Wright (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)