Polygenic adaptation: a postdoctoral position is available at the Institute of Population Genetics, Vetmeduni Vienna ( https://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/en/population-genetics/). The research focus of the Institute of Population Genetics is on understanding the genetics of adaptation. This central question in evolutionary biology is being tackled using up-to-date methods and a variety of approaches, including experimental evolution, quantitative genetics, functional genetics, empirical population genetics, bioinformatics and statistics. In addition to a high quality of living, Vienna offers an outstanding community of evolutionary biologists (https://www.univie.ac.at/evolvienna/). The position is associated with a research priority program on polygenic adaptation uniting a unique cluster of scientists with a keen interest to understand polygenic adaptation (e.g.: N. Barghi, N. Barton, R. Bürger, J. Hermisson, R. Kofler, M. Nordborg, H. Sachdeva and K. Swarts). Adaptation to new environments is frequently driven by traits with a polygenetic basis. Nevertheless, the characterization of the adaptive architecture, in particular in natural populations, is challenging. The contribution of individual loci to the phenotypic changes associated with adaptation to new environmental conditions is so small that their identification and functional characterization is frequently not possible. The successful candidate will join a team of scientists taking advantage of experimental evolution to study the adaptive architecture of temperature adaptation - a highly polygenic trait. Manipulating the genetic composition of a series of founder populations provides an unmatched opportunity to study polygenic adaptation in *Drosophila*. We are using a combination of genomic analyses with high throughput molecular phenotyping (RNA-Seq, metabolomics, proteomics) and targeted high-level phenotypes (e.g. behavior) to study these experimental populations. The goal is to understand polygenic adaptation in the context of the underlying functional variation and use this information to predict adaptive responses in the laboratory and natural populations. We are looking for a candidate with a background in quantitative genetics and experience in handling large data sets. A solid background in population genetics and statistics will be further assets. The successful applicant will be supported by technicians for the collection of phenotypic data and the maintenance of experimental populations. The position is available for 30 starting June 2025, but the exact starting date is negotiable. The application should be emailed to as a single pdf containing CV, list of publications, a statement of research interests, and the names of three references with contact details. While the search will continue until the position is filled, applications should be received by 2.4.2025 to ensure full consideration. Background on our experimental system: 1. Barghi N, Tobler R, Nolte V, Jaksic AM, Mallard F, Otte KA, et al. Genetic redundancy fuels polygenic adaptation in *Drosophila*. PLoS biology. 2019;17(2):e3000128. Epub 2019/02/05. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000128. PubMed PMID: 30716062. 2. Barghi N, Hermisson J, Schlötterer C. Polygenic adaptation: a unifying framework to understand positive selection. Nature reviews Genetics. 2020;21(12):769-81. Epub 2020/07/01. doi: 10.1038/s41576-020-0250-z. PubMed PMID: 32601318. 3. Barghi N, Schlötterer C. Distinct patterns of selective sweep and polygenic adaptation in evolve and re-sequence studies. Genome biology and evolution. 2020. Epub 2020/04/14. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evaa073. PubMed PMID: 32282913. 4. Burny C, Nolte V, Dolezal M, Schlötterer C. Genome-wide selection signatures reveal widespread synergistic effects of two different stressors in *Drosophila melanogaster*. Proceedings Biological sciences / The Royal Society. 2022;289(1985):20221857. Epub 2022/10/20. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1857. PubMed PMID: 36259211; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC9579754. 5. Christodoulaki E, Nolte V, Lai WY, Schlötterer C. Natural variation in Drosophila shows weak pleiotropic effects. Genome biology. 2022;23(1):116. Epub 20220516. doi: 10.1186/s13059-022-02680-4. PubMed PMID: 35578368; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC9109288. 6. Lai WY, Otte KA, Schlötterer C. Evolution of Metabolome and Transcriptome Supports a Hierarchical Organization of Adaptive Traits. Genome biology and evolution. 2023;15(6). doi: 10.1093/gbe/evad098. PubMed PMID: 37232360; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC10246829. 7. Thorhölludottir DAV, Nolte V, Schlötterer C. Temperature-driven gene expression evolution in natural and laboratory populations highlights the crucial role of correlated fitness effects for polygenic adaptation. Evolution; international journal of organic evolution. 2023;77(9):2081-9. doi: 10.1093/evolut/qpad132. PubMed PMID: 37455661. 8. Lai WY, Nolte V, Jak¹iæ AM, Schlötterer C. Evolution of Phenotypic Variance Provides Insights into the Genetic Basis of Adaptation. Genome biology and evolution. 2024;16(4). doi: 10.1093/gbe/evae077. PubMed PMID: 38620076; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC11057206. Christian Schlötterer Institut für Populationsgenetik Vetmeduni Vienna Veterinärplatz 1 1210 Wien Austria/Europe Zoom: https://bokuvienna.zoom.us/j/99886139039?pwd=dnZXUHZlK2dkWVBxU1NXQ2NCRXhwUT09 phone: +43-1-25077-4300 fax: +43-1-25077-4390 http://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/en/population-genetics/ Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics http://www.popgen-vienna.at Christian Schlötterer (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)