********************GradStudentPositions******************** The research field concerns "Biological sciences, Zoology, Environmental science, Archaeology " The description of the offer is as follow: The Doctoral SchoolPALPROX (Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology) fosters a unique interdisciplinary and collaborative research frame in which the Doctoral Candidates will work on their Individual Research Projects around a common program: The use of small vertebrates as a proxy in Prehistoric Archaeology. We aim to focus on the studies of Late Pleistocene small vertebrates to gain insight into the studied taxonomic groups found in archaeological sites, but also to face the new challenges posed by interdisciplinary approaches to archaeological studies, and their contributions to the debate about climate change and biodiversity loss. Small vertebrates, due to their reduced size, small habitat ranges and in most cases low mobility, are known to be more sensitive to regional changes than large mammals and plants, especially in Europe where mountain ranges and sea barriers block their retreat to the south. In addition, fossil small vertebrates can help to modern conservation biology, providing predictive clues based on long-term biodiversity archives. In general, knowledge of the small vertebrate Quaternary record can help to better understand current extinction dynamics, response to climate changes or ecological turning points.Finally, taking advantage of synergies with other disciplines, fossil small vertebrates studies have incorporated new methodologies such as Geometric Morphometrics, Oxygen Isotope studies or ancient DNA, and introducing Geospatial and MaxEnt tools into the analyses of both fossil and modern specimens. These approaches very much complement, but do not replace, a basal training in the fundamental methods based on osteological and morphometric description. As a result, PALPROX will support nine promising Doctoral worldwide candidates passionate about interdisciplinary research, supporting the increasing diversity of career paths in Europe's research landscape and providing fellows with the training, mentoring and career development support needed to become leaders in academia and beyond. The call has been published on the European Portal EURAXESS and the links is the following: Nine MSCA-Funded PhD positions within the Doctoral Network PALPROX Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology JOINT CALL https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395927 IRP 1 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395964 IRP2 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395971 IRP 3 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/396315 IRP 4 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/396318 IRP 5 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395978 IRP 6 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395975 IRP 7 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395982 IRP 8 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404674 IRP 9 https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678 Sophie Montuire Directrice d'Etudes EPHE EPHE, PSL University Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 uB/CNRS/EPHE Université Bourgogne Europe 6 Bd Gabriel 21000 Dijon - France +33 (0)380396347 http://www.ephe.sorbonne.fr/ http://biogeosciences.u-bourgogne.fr/ Sophie Montuire (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Ph.D. opportunity in evolutionary ecology and ecotoxicology of rainforest frogs Position details: The candidate will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Bibiana Rojas at the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, and co-supervised by one or more of the following project collaborators: Dr. Jérémy Lemaire (Department of Behavioral & Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna); Asst. Prof. Valeria Marasco (Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna); Dr. Andrius Pašukonis (Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University and Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna), depending on the focus of the PhD project. The position is fully funded by the Austrian Science Fund and includes a gross monthly salary of EUR 3,714.80 for full-time employment, adjusted pro rata to 30 hours per week, and research + travel expenses for 3 years. Position starting in April 2026. Application requirements and procedures: MSc. degree in biological sciences and related field or an equivalent degree. Full proficiency in written and spoken English, statistical computing skills, strong interest in, and experience with, field research and animal behaviour. Physical and mental preparedness for intensive fieldwork and basic living conditions of tropical field research. Additional qualifications in the following areas will be also highly valued: experience in ecotoxicology and/or ecophysiology, landscape ecology, animal movement and behavioural analyses; scientific publishing and conference presentations, advanced computational skills, good knowledge of experimental design, experience in/with wet-lab work, tropical fieldwork, and/or animal husbandry. Ability to communicate in French is desirable. The application should be sent to bibiana.rojas@vetmeduni.ac.at no later than February 17th and should include a CV (no photo), the contact details of two referees who can provide recommendation letters (no letters needed at the initial stage), and a motivation letter written by the applicant stating their research interests and experiences. Interviews will be held online during the last week of February or first week of March. Project summary: Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is a tangible threat for Neotropical forests not only because of the associated small-scale deforestation but also because it is one of the main sources of mercury (Hg), an environmental contaminant of global concern due to its toxicity to wildlife. Despite its proven negative effects, studies on Hg contamination in the tropics lag behind those in temperate zones and have mostly focused on birds and fishes, which are associated to large bodies of water. Our recent findings, however, have revealed that high Hg concentrations can be found in phytotelmata, the ephemeral bodies of water contained in vegetation that multiple frog species use as breeding sites. The main aim of the project is to investigate the impact of Hg contamination on the life history, larval health and behaviour of an Amazonian poison frog species endemic of the Guiana Shield, an area with high occurrence of ASGM activities. For this, the candidate will design and carry out field-based behavioural assays as well as experiments under laboratory conditions that fall within the general framework of the project. The project involves, among others, several months of intensive fieldwork in French Guiana, rigorous ecotoxicological experiments in captivity, movement tracking and molecular work. Main research fields: behavioural and evolutionary ecology, ecotoxicology, movement ecology, ecophysiology. Contact: Assoc. Prof. Bibiana Rojas, bibiana.rojas@vetmeduni.ac.at https://bibianarojas.co/ Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bibiana Rojas Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology University of Veterinary Medicine Savoyenstraße 1 1160, Vienna Austria Virtual Meeting Room: https://vetmeduniwien.webex.com/meet/bibiana.rojas http://bibianarojas.co Bluesky: @biobiiana.bsky.social Tel: +43 (0) 1250777501 Rojas Bibiana (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PHD POSITION IN LIZARD EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY Country: BELGIUM University: UCLOUVAIN Research group: ANIMAL EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY LAB PI: PROF SIMON BAECKENS PhD topic: LIZARD ADAPTATIONS TO HUMAN-INDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Anticipated start date: 1 MAY OR ASAP THEREAFTER The PhD project will investigate (adaptive) phenotypic responses to rapid human-induced environmental change, using lizards as a model system. The research will adopt an organismal and integrative approach, examining (the interplay between) morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits. The overarching aim is to understand how organisms respond to abrupt and novel selective pressures, and to what extent such responses facilitate population persistence under global change. The precise direction of the project is flexible and will be shaped according to the candidate's profile, interests, and strengths. Possible research themes include anthropogenic drivers of environmental change, such as bio-invasions and urbanization/pollution.Methodological approaches may include field-based experimental work in Belgium or Mediterranean systems and comparative analyses across species or populations. WHAT WE OFFER: * Fully funded PhD position for up to 4 years * Dedicated funding for fieldwork, research costs, and conferences * Advanced doctoral training and career development at UCLouvain * Supportive and collegial research environment REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS - Profile requirements: * MSc degree in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, or a related field * Good knowledge of evolutionary and organismal biology and ecology * Ability to work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative research environment * Good command of spoken and written English - Strongly valued * Strong quantitative skills, including use of R * Interest in field-based research and willingness to conduct extended fieldwork * Ability to communicate scientific results clearly in writing * Previous publications (not required, but an asset) - Professional conduct and values * Commitment to high ethical standards in research and academic practice * Attention to quality, integrity, creativity, and cooperation in scientific work * Respectful and inclusive attitude toward colleagues, collaborators, and students - Additional assets * Experience with lizard biology or reptile fieldwork * Knowledge of French (helpful for administrative matters and local integration, but not required) HOW TO APPLY Applications must be submitted via UCLouvain's online recruitment platform NO LATER THAN 9 March 2026 (23:59, Brussels time). The following documents should be included as attachments: 1. A motivation letter 2. A curriculum vitae (CV) 3. A one-page (A4) description of a potential PhD research idea, outlining your proposed topic and how you would approach data collection and analysis 4. The contact details of 2-3 referees who can provide academic references All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee as soon as possible after the closing date. Candidates who remain under consideration after the initial screening will be contacted regarding the next steps in the selection process. All applicants will be informed once a final decision has been made. Contact: Simon Baeckens, Assistant Professor Earth & Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium Website: www.simonbaeckens.com Email: simon.baeckens@uclouvain.be SUBMIT APPLICATION HERE: https://jobs.uclouvain.be/Personnelscientifique/job/PhD-Position-in-Evolutionary-Ecology/1289884901/ Simon Baeckens (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Jobs******************** Position Summary The Life Sciences division of the Simons foundation focuses on fundamental research in ecology and evolution, especially at this interface, as well as plant biology. The foundation seeks a temporary Scientific Officer to join the Life Sciences team. The candidate will work closely with the EVP of Life Sciences to refine its strategies, oversee its grant pipeline and review process, work on research and analyses to support the program, contribute to Science Advisory Board communications, manage in-house workshops and annual meetings, participate in grant reviews, and provide general support as needed. This full-time temporary position is expected to last one year. The position is based in our offices in New York City. For more information, visit www.simonsfoundation.org/careers. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: - Collaborate with leadership to develop the strategic framework and objectives for grant-making programs in ecology, evolution and plant biology. - Conduct research and analysis to refine the team's strategy, which may involve desktop research, pulling external datasets, primary data collection, analyzing and visualizing data, and drafting memos and presentations. - Assist with strategic thinking to increase pathways to science in ecology and evolution, advance scientific collaboration and data sharing, and to identify opportunities to partner with other organizations - Actively participate in the planning and convening of workshops, meetings and retreats by preparing materials such as agendas, performing background research to identify participants and prepare meeting materials, assisting in running events, and performing other administrative tasks as necessary. - Support EVP in engaging with its Science Advisory Board (SAB). - Manage a selection of active grants, including tracking milestones and reviewing reports. Work with grantees to identify and resolve challenges. - Participate in the evaluation of proposals, as necessary. - Partner with grants management staff to effectively steward proposals and grants through the grantmaking cycle and provide support, as needed. - Collaborate with the grant management team to implement no-cost extensions, amendments, and other grants management activities as needed. - Support or lead in translating grant information to the communications team, board reports, and other purposes. - Pull and analyze grant and grantee data to inform grants management, portfolio assessment, external presentations, and SAB communications. - Cultivate prospective grant proposals selected by the Life Sciences team, working with prospective grantees from concept note, proposal and budget draft, external review, revision to SAB recommendation. - Support administrative and other tasks for multiple RFPs, such as aiding in research and memo drafting. - Partner with the EVP to design, develop, and manage standard and ad-hoc reports that demonstrate program outcomes. - Travel to attend on-site meetings of grantees, annual retreats and institutional visits of Simons grantees, and external scientific conferences and meetings to keep current on scientific updates/advances relevant to portfolio - Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education - A Ph.D. in ecology, evolution or a related field Experience - Minimum of three years of postdoctoral experience integrating ecological and evolutionary dynamics. - Deep familiarity with contemporary and historical literature in the fields of ecology and evolution, and experience generating conceptual syntheses that bridge ecology and evolution through meta-analysis, data mining and/or theory. - Comfort evaluating projects and scientific output spanning genes to organisms to ecosystems, using laboratory, field-based and theoretical approaches - Breadth of experience across approaches (e.g., international field experience, laboratory, experimental evolution) and systems (e.g., plants, animals, microbes) at different biological scales (e.g., genes to communities) with multidisciplinary tools. Related Skills & Other Requirements - Expertise in genomic methods, statistical methods and experimental design. - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating a high level of independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy. - Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently and as part of a team. - Flexible, creative, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving. - Must be detail-oriented - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts concisely - Strong analytical and organizational skills to lead or assist in project management and analyses. - MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point). - Ability to generate graphics for presentations using any preferred packages. - Smart Simple grants management platform knowledge helpful but not required. REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS - Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position. - Submit two or three of your published research papers COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS - The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $139,000 to $150,000, depending on experience. - In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package. Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All: Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers. The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law. HOW TO APPLY Please follow this link: https://simonsfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/simonsfoundationcareers/details/Scientific-Officer--Ecology-and-Evolution-_R0002022 Anna Banafato (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Other******************** Mountain Lake Biological Station (MLBS) welcomes applications to our Early Career Research Opportunity program! Join our vibrant and dynamic research community where you will gain access to an extensive range of facilities, equipment, databases, and other resources to support your career development. Funding is based on the length of your residency at the station, but recipients may receive up to 10 weeks of financial support that covers lodging, meals at our on-site dining hall, and lab/facility fees. Salaries are not covered. This is a great opportunity to collect pilot data for a grant proposal, develop new collaborations with other station users, and/or explore possibilities for a long-term research program at MLBS. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, please email the following documents to sandyk@virginia.edu: 1. Cover letter that includes the desired length of time and time of year you would like to visit MLBS 2. Short research plan (maximum of two pages) 3. Curriculum vitae 4. If you are conducting research on live vertebrates, a copy of an approved IACUC protocol from your home institution/organization Please visit our website to learn more about MLBS (https://mlbs.virginia.edu/). Questions may be directed to the Associate Director, Sandy Kawano (sandyk@virginia.edu). Sandy Kawano, PhD Associate Director of Mountain Lake Biological Station (MLBS) Director of MLBS Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program Assistant Professor of Biology, General Faculty she / her / hers E brr3ph@virginia.edu University of Virginia Department of Biology 485 McCormick Road P.O. Box 400328 Charlottesville, VA 22903 "Kawano, Sandy (brr3ph)" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Dear Colleagues, The RIKEN Centre for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS; ithems.riken.jp), located near Tokyo, Japan, is currently accepting applications for the 2027 Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) programme. These are highly competitive 3 year positions, with an expected start date between April 1st, 2027 and March 31st, 2028. SPDRs are fully independent researchers and are expected to design and lead their own research projects. In addition to a monthly salary of 550,000 JPY and other benefits, each SPDR receives a research budget of 1,000,000 JPY per year, with further funds available (see site for details). SPDRs are also eligible to apply for their own internal and external, domestic and international grants and other funding opportunities. Complete details about RIKEN's SPDR programme can be found here: https://www.riken.jp/en/careers/programs/spdr/career2027/ Within RIKEN, iTHEMS promotes interdisciplinary collaborations among theoretical and computational scientists from diverse fields including mathematics, physics, biology, computer science, etc. Interactions are encouraged through daily activities such as journal clubs, seminar series, study/working groups, workshops, and international research collaborations. Any iTHEMS researcher can propose new collaborative activities around any topic of common interest. SPDR candidates interested in being hosted in iTHEMS should contact their potential host prior to submitting their application. Of most relevance to this mailing lists are the iTHEMS laboratories of: Catherine Beauchemin (biophysics/math biology/infectious diseases) https://ithems.riken.jp/en/members/catherine-beauchemin cbeau@riken.jp Leo Speidel (mathematical genomics) https://ithems.riken.jp/en/members/leo-speidel leo.speidel@riken.jp Yohsuke Murase (mathematical social science/game theory) https://ithems.riken.jp/en/members/yohsuke-murase yohsuke.murase@riken.jp Your proposed research does not necessarily need to align with that of your host, but you should identify strong potential for collaborations with members of the host laboratory. You are encouraged to directly contact iTHEMS members whose research is close to your own, to establish a direct connection and explore possible collaborations. This will strengthen your application. Consider, for example, Gen Kurosawa (circadian rhythms), Kyosuke Adachi (biophysics/active matter), Eiryo Kawakami (medical mathematics/AI), Jos? Said Guti?rrez-Ortega (evolutionary biology/ecology), Isaac Planas Sitja (social insect modelling) or other iTHEMS researcher. A full list of iTHEMS researchers can be found here: https://ithems.riken.jp/en/members A full list of RIKEN researchers able to host SPDRs within and beyond iTHEMS can be found here: https://www.riken.jp/medialibrary/riken/careers/programs/spdr/career2027/host_lab.pdf Deadline for registering basic information 2026, April 2, Thursday, 5 p.m. (JST) Deadline for revising/uploading documents & letters of reference 2026, April 9, Thursday, 5 p.m. (JST) Catherine Beauchemin Deputy Director, iTHEMS, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan https://ithems.riken.jp/en/members/catherine-beauchemin Professor, Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada https://www.torontomu.ca/physics/our-people/catherine-beauchemin/ thomas.hitchcock@riken.jp (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Postdoc in BIOGEOGRAPHY and MACROECOLOGY (Olomouc, Czech Republic) Dear all, We are seeking a highly motivated, productive and cooperative postdoctoral researcher to study biogeography and macroecology of species pools across biomes. We combine large-scale databases, citizen science data, fieldwork, and advanced computational approaches to analyze regional and local diversity of birds in forests and savannahs worldwide. We are keen on macroecology, biogeography, macroevolution, and modelling. We are seeking an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to strengthen our science and complement our team at the Department of Zoology, Palacky University in Olomouc, Czechia. YOUR TASKS - Independent research: biogeographic, comparative, and phylogenetic analyses of global datasets of birds, linked to environmental, climatic, and geohistorical data - Lead writing and publishing high-quality papers - Active participation in shaping the collaborative effort of the project team WE OFFER - Participation on an exciting eco-evo project, fully funded by the Czech Science Foundation - Work-life balance respecting and supportive environment, flexible working hours - Health insurance, employee benefits, and life in a pleasant and safe city - Competitive salary YOUR QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS Essential - Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, ecology, zoology or a related discipline - Strong publication record in high-quality journals in biogeography, evolutionary biology, ecology or a related field (appropriate for a career stage) - Experience in state-of-the-art analysis of ecological and evolutionary data - Scientific curiosity, independent and conceptual thinking, and team spirit - Excellent command of English, both written and spoken - Proficiency in R language programming and strong quantitative skills Desirable - Demonstrated knowledge of advanced biogeographic, comparative, and phylogenetic methods, quantitative methods in biodiversity studies, GIS in R, and spatial statistics - Experience with process-based models in ecology and biogeography - Knowledge of other programming languages (Julia, Python) and cluster- based computing APPLICATION PROCEDURE For informal enquiries and application, email to prof. Vladimir Remes at vladimir.remes@upol.cz. To apply, send one PDF file (max. 5 MB) including your CV, list of publications, a short cover letter stating your previous work, qualification and motivation, and names and e-mails of two references. Please, state "Postdoc search" in the subject line of your e-mail. APPLICATION DEADLINE AND STARTING DATE Review of applications will start 15 March 2026. Selected applicants will be interviewed in late March. The starting date is August 2026, and the position is available for up to 28 months (until the end of 2028). Best regards, Vladimir Remes Department of Zoology Palacky University in Olomouc Czech Republic https://vladremes.github.io Vladimír Reme (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all, We've finalised the invited speakers for the Assembly and Annotation of Genomes course (9-13 March), and we've also got a Teaching Assistant on board: Ying Chen from the Vertebrate Genome Lab. Course website: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course20/ ) The course will cover genome assembly and annotation using a range of sequencing technologies like Illumina, PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, plus scaffolding methods like Hi-C. We'll focus on quality control, manual curation, and annotation using real tools and datasets. It's perfect for beginners and more advanced users alike, and no prior sequencing experience is needed. For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course20/ ) Best, 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) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear colleagues, Transmitting Science is offering a new edition of the course "Modelling and analysing multivariate traits evolution using R". Course webpage: https://www.transmittingscience.com/courses/evolution/modelling-and-analysing-multivariate-traits-evolution-using-r/ The aim of this course is to introduce participants to multivariate phylogenetic comparative methods using the mvMORPH R package. By the end of the course, students will be able to: Understand multivariate trait evolution models. Apply comparative methods using R. Interpret evolutionary patterns in multivariate datasets. For any questions, please write to courses@transmittingscience.com Best regards, Haris Haris Saslis, PhD Course Coordinator Transmitting Science www.transmittingscience.com [1] Links: [1] http://www.transmittingscience.com Haris Saslis - Transmitting Science (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)