********************GradStudentPositions******************** We are inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position at the Division of Molecular Biology, Ruðer Boškoviæ Institute in Zagreb, Croatia. Our lab focuses on comparative evolutionary biology, with an emphasis on rapid adaptation in extreme environments, using cave-dwelling animals as model systems. Our research combines fieldwork, organismal biology, molecular techniques, and omics approaches to explore both the proximate mechanisms (genetic, developmental, and physiological) and the evolutionary drivers (selection, plasticity, constraint) of adaptation. The PhD project will investigate how phenotypic plasticity contributes to evolutionary adaptation during cave colonization, using the Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) as a model system. It will test whether environmentally induced responses to darkness in ancestral surface fish precede and facilitate the evolution of robust cave-adapted traits. Focusing on eye development and degeneration, the project will examine plastic and evolved changes across developmental and molecular levels to identify mechanisms underlying plasticity, maladaptation, and genetic assimilation. Ultimately, the project aims to bridge the gap between environmental change and the evolution of novel phenotypes. More information about the project can be found on our lab website (https://bilandzija.irb.hr/Projects-and-Funding) and previous publications: doi: 10.7554/eLife.51830 and doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.528. Position details: Duration: 5 years (funding secured), a 6-month trial period will be required at the start of employment. Requirements: Master's degree in Biology (or related field) Proficiency in English Strong interest in evolutionary biology Preferred qualifications: Experience with NGS analysis, statistics/R Wet lab skills (e.g. staining, imaging) What We Offer A collaborative, English-speaking research environment Access to Institute's facilities, including a dedicated Astyanax mexicanus facility and animal caretaker Professional development opportunities, including in-house workshops No teaching obligations (optional teaching/supervision available) Funding opportunities for conferences, workshops, and research visits abroad The call will open in March. In the meantime, we warmly encourage interested candidates to contact Dr. Bilandžija (hbilandz@irb.hr) to express their early interest and for preliminary consideration. Please send your CV and a motivation letter. In your motivation letter, tell us about your research interests and career goals, any previous research experience (if applicable), why you would like to join our lab, and how you think you could contribute to the project. Helena Bilandžija, PhD Principal Investigator Division of Molecular Biology Ruðer Boškoviæ Institute Bijenicka cesta 54, P.O.Box 180 10000 Zagreb, Croatia https://bilandzija.irb.hr/ Helena Bilandžija (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Jobs******************** Tenure Track Assistant Professor and Curator of Mollusca Natural History Museum Denmark Faculty of Science University of Copenhagen The Natural History Museum Denmark wishes to appoint a Tenure Track Assistant Professor and Curator of Mollusca (squid, octopus, clams, slugs and snails) with a great vision for natural history museums in a changing world. Duties are divided equally between collection-based research and other museum duties including curation, digitization of the Mollusca collections, research-based teaching and supervision of students, and public engagement work, and to act as the museum's liaison with relevant Danish natural history communities. The successful applicant will be expected to establish and develop an externally funded collection-based research programme/group Mollusca and publish in influential journals. The successful applicant will be expected to curate the museums historically important Mollusca collections (200,000 specimens) as well as other marine invertebrate collections. We value collaboration across disciplines and professions. All applicants are expected to demonstrate interdisciplinary thinking and a commitment to working together to create solutions to global challenges. This also goes for collection work. Curators develop the collections that they are responsible for through research, field work, loan activities, digitization, acting as scientific host for visiting researchers, and increasing accessibility for everyone. All curators at the Natural History Museum Denmark are expected to take a leading role in society as advocates for science and nature, creating impact at all levels while actively promoting the museum's Vision and Values (https://snm.dk/en/about-museum). Further details of qualifications required for appointment at the museum are detailed below. The position is available starting 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. Qualifications Applicants at the tenure track assistant professor level are expected to have an academic record demonstrating the potential to deliver high profile internationally competitive research in the area of specialization. They should be a scientific specialist in one of the collection areas of the museum and have experience with collection-based research. Previous curatorial and university teaching experience would be advantageous but is not a requirement at the time of hiring for tenure-track assistant professors. A documented interest in and a vision for public engagement and community-based activities, such as citizen science, is essential. Assessment of applicants Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research as well as their curatorial experience and potential to curate one or more of the museum's collections. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory, but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered. The overall fit for the Natural History Museum will also be considered. Ideal applicants will have the following qualifications: An outstanding reputation for high-quality research within Mollusca A proven track record of interdisciplinary research Scientific expertise that ensures ability to curate Mollusca collections held by the museum Curatorial experience of natural history collections Experience from a natural history museum or similar A record of scientific use of museum collections and/or data A vision for how digital, genomic, and other new technologies will drive advances in natural history science A proven ability to work at a strategic level A proven track record of public engagement and creating impact beyond academia Experience working on museum exhibitions, interpretation, and public engagement Experience in fundraising and ability to attract research funding from external sources Supportive and performance-oriented people skills and commitment to an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and respect for everyone with equality and opportunity for all A passion for the vision and values of the Natural History Museum Denmark Excellent written and oral communication skills Confidence in ability to provide advocacy for the museum with multiple stakeholders Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) along with the museum-specific criterion, collections curation, are considered a framework for the overall assessment of c applicants. Furthermore, each applicant must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf. Please read the museum's assessment criteria for curation here Information on the tenure-track program The tenure-track programme is a career programme and an assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professors with guidance related to career development, other academic topics and administrative procedures. Performance of the tenure-track assistant professor will be followed via internal yearly evaluations and a mid-term and final international evaluation by an assessment committee. If the 'final appraisal' is positive you will be promoted as associate professor. Performance and progression towards the criteria below will be evaluated with due consideration of differences between research fields. After a 6-year tenure-track period tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen and the Museums criteria for curation. About the Natural History Museum Denmark The Natural History Museum Denmark is the Danish national museum for nature. We work to empower citizens to connect with nature with the aim to create positive change for people and planet. We want to inspire, engage, and enable people to enjoy, understand, and care for the diversity of the natural world. The impact of climate change and anthropogenic forces on biodiversity has reached a critical point. We firmly believe that natural history museums can and should play a key role towards a more sustainable relationship with nature. We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site, in the Botanical Garden,in the centre of Copenhagen, will host state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding research collections, new public galleries, and combined facilities for programming, education, and citizen science. It is an ambition for the museum to enhance natural history and inspire curiosity, knowledge, and empowerment for the future. The Botanical Garden was founded in 1600 and the museum's collections date back to Ole Worm's Cabinet of Curiosities from around 1620. With 14 million preserved specimens and living plants of 8,000 different species in the Botanical Garden, it is the largest museum collection in Denmark. It covers our planetary history with botanical, zoological, and geological specimens from all over the world. Read more about the Mollusca collection here. The Natural History Museum Denmark is part of the University of Copenhagen, which was founded in 1479 and is the largest university in Denmark. Read more about the museum at http://www.snm.ku.dk/english/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Museum Director Nina Rønsted (e-mail: nronsted@snm.ku.dk). Please put "211-0252/25-2N" in the subject of e-mail inquiries. Affirmative action The Natural History Museum Denmark is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disabled status.We are actively promoting a strategy to improve the gender balance among scientific staff. Copenhagen is a highly diverse and international Scandinavian capital with a green profile. Education is free and childcare is subsidized. Public transport is well developed, and most Copenhageners take their bike to work. There are lots of green areas in and around Copenhagen, the water in the harbor is clean enough for swimming, and the city has multiple museums and other cultural venues. Terms of employment The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The successful applicant is expected to take Danish lessons if there is no prior knowledge of Danish language. The International Office at the University of Copenhagen can help. How to apply The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Please include A cover letter stating the motivation for applying (1 page) Research profile: description of previous, current and future research plans (3 pages) Curatorial area, experience and interests (1 page) Curriculum vitae documenting: Previous positions at museums, universities, or other research or cultural institutions Grants held, personal or in part. Career development grants. International network and relations Curatorial experience (curation of collections) Public engagement activities, i.e. citizen science projects, exhibitions, popular lectures or other relevant activities If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications- please describe and document: Experience with supervision of BSc- and MSc-students Teaching experience Formal pedagogical training Diplomas (MSc and PhD degree or equivalent) Complete publication list Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers The deadline for applications is 30 March 2026, 23:59 GMT +2. Please apply online only using this link: https://employment.ku.dk/tenure-track/?show=156042 After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorised recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. We work thoroughly with this process. Several professionals from different fields must be involved. Therefore, we will not be ready for interviews until 18 November 2026. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/. Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0252/25-2N Nina Rønsted, PhD Museum Director, Professor Natural History Museum Denmark University of Copenhagen Sølvgade 83 1307 Copenhagen K Denmark nronsted@snm.ku.dk +45-29827911 www.snm.dk How we protect personal data "nronsted@snm.ku.dk" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Other******************** Genome polarisation for admixture genomics This is to announce the first official release of *diempy*, a python package for fast and reference-free genome polarisation. The package is available on PyPi and easily installed using pip. A brief introduction, installation instructions, and API documentation are available on *read the docs*: https://diempy.readthedocs.io/en/latest/intro.html We provide an extensive and interactive tutorial that showcases all the features of *diempy* and outlines the basic workflow in Jupyter Notebook: https://github.com/DerekSetter/tutorial-DiemPy. We recommend starting there. The code for *diempy* is available open-source on gitHub: https://github.com/Studenecivb/diemPy Please, DO NOT REPLY to this email (of course). If you have any issues with the software or tutorial, please open an issue on github using the appropriate link above. The associated manuscript is available as a preprint on bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.18.706591 Best regards, Derek Setter Konrad Lohse Stuart J.E. Baird StuartJEBaird (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all, We are pleased to announce the upcoming Physalia online course Practical Somatic Variant Analysis in Cancer Genomics, taking place on 27-29 April . Course website: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/cg26/ ) This 3-day hands-on workshop is designed to provide practical skills in cancer genomics, with a strong focus on somatic variant detection, annotation, and interpretation. Participants will follow the complete analysis workflow, from raw sequencing data to the identification and prioritization of potentially pathogenic mutations relevant to cancer research and precision oncology. The course combines theoretical lectures and hands-on sessions, using whole-exome sequencing (WES) data from matched tumor-normal samples. All reference resources (GRCh38, Panel of Normals, gnomAD, ClinVar, REVEL, and other cancer-relevant databases) will be pre-staged for participants. Key topics include: Quality control and preprocessing of sequencing data Read alignment and assessment of alignment quality Biological and computational differences between germline and somatic variants Somatic variant calling using GATK4 Mutect2 Variant filtering strategies and use of population databases Variant annotation with Ensembl VEP Variant analysis, prioritization, and visualization in R Best regards, Carlo Carlo Pecoraro, Ph.D Physalia-courses DIRECTOR info@physalia-courses.org mobile: +49 17645230846 ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/physalia-courses-a64418127/ ) "info@physalia-courses.org" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Animal Behavior Society Conference, Cincinnati OH, July 14-18 The Career Diversity Travel award is intended to increase the diversity of attendees at the Animal Behavior Society Annual meeting and within its membership, specifically for career stages that are less well supported. It will provide financial support to career stages including but not limited to postdocs, research scientists, lecturers, adjuncts, and non-tenure track faculty, to help defray the costs of registration, travel, and/or housing at the annual Animal Behavior Society meeting. Submission deadline: March 23, 2026 Apply here: https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/awards-career-diversity.php "Sara Lipshutz, Ph.D." (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear colleagues, We are delighted to announce the launch of STRiVE (Structural Genomic Variation in Evolution), a new Special Topic Network supported by the European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB). Our network aims to explore the evolutionary role of structural variants through collaborative research, workshops, and seminars. You can find all the details on our website: https://structuralvariantsstn.github.io/ How to get involved: - Stay informed: Join our mailing list (link below) and follow us on Bluesky (@strivestn.bsky.social). - Become a member: If you wish to take a more active role in the network's initiatives, we invite you to apply for membership. Upcoming Activities: - April 29th, 2026 (6 pm CET / 9 am PST): Online seminar by Loren Rieseberg - July 8th-10th, 2026: Kick-off conference in Porto: "Trends in Biodiversity and Evolution: the evolutionary role of structural genomic variation" (TiBE-STRiVE). We are also currently co-editing a special issue in JEB , organizing an ongoing online seminar series, and coordinating working groups for joint analyses and methodological workshops over the next two years. Newsletter Subscription: To stay updated on our latest news, please sign up here . (Note: You will need to enter your name and email and click "Confirm". You will then receive a validation email. We apologize as the registration form is currently partially in French.) We look forward to building this community with you. Sincerely, Claire Mérot, on behalf of the STRiVE Committee Claire Mérot (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)