********************GradStudentPositions******************** Are you interested in mathematically modelling random processes in real life? Do you want to use mathematical tools and objects from probability theory, graph theory and statistics to understand biological processes? Then have a look at our PhD opportunity within the Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA)! This project aims at developing a mathematical genealogy model (coalescent process, a random tree/graph) for samples from species whose reproduction methods are in-between haploid and diploid modes. The full description can be found here: https://centa.ac.uk/studentship/2026-l02-coalescent-processes-of-mixed-reproduction-systems/. For context: Many important insect and fungal species do not always produce clonally or sexually but use a mixture of these mechanisms - which means that standard models of genealogies may bias inference approaches. Such biases are problematic, as analysing genomic data to infer past evolution usually needs to be based on well-fitting genealogical models. Your job will be to develop a new genealogy model tailored to such mixed reproduction modes (likely as a tree-valued random limit process of ancestral trees in discrete reproduction models). My research group in Leicester works on a variety of questions in population genomics, with a fundamental basis in probability theory, but also touching statistics, data science and bioinformatics. You will be in touch both with mathematical and genetics research and researchers. While the project is centred on the mathematical side, the focus can be shifted according to your interests either fully towards probability theory or more into statistical, bioinformatic or genomic applications. Ideally, you have a background in applied or pure probability theory, statistics and/or theoretical evolutionary biology. Experience in programming is welcome but can also be developed during the PhD. While the CENTA program is welcoming international applications, I feel the need to highlight the following (from https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/centa-phd-studentships): International applicants must be able to demonstrate they can fund the difference between UK and Overseas fees for the duration of their study. This will amount to 18,864 per year of study. (2025/6 rates) 2026/7 rates still to be confirmed. For home students, the fees are fully waived. Interested? Then apply: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/centa-phd-studentships (see also https://centa.ac.uk/apply/)! If you have more questions, feel free to contact me at ff95@leicester.ac.uk. The application deadline is January 7th 2026. Fabian Freund, Lecturer in Population Genomics (PhD in mathematics), School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Division Genetics and Genome Biology University of Leicester, UK "Freund, Fabian" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Graduate position: BC-CAS_Czechia.ButterflyEvolutionHighElevations PhD Position: Butterfly Conservation Genomics (Please, feel free to distribute to all potential candidates) Closing date: January 11, 2026 We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our international team at the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. You will be part of an exciting research project aimed at understanding rapid evolution and adaptation in butterflies flying at high elevations. The goal of the PhD work is to infer climatic niche evolution and species diversification in tropical mountain butterflies (Pierini whites), and to test for adaptive evolution of flight performance in species from the tropical Andes of Peru. You will have the opportunity to carry out extensive fieldwork along two elevational transects (approx. 1,500???4,000 m) in Peru, performing behavioral experiments to quantify butterfly flight performance. Research visits to European collaborators and Natural History Museums are expected, where you will measure wing shape, size and coloration using morphometric and modern imaging tools. This framework will allow you to assess how environmental drivers, phylogenetic history and eco-morphological variation shape high-elevation butterfly adaptation. You will benefit from international networking, hands-on training and research mobility, working within a collaborative and multidisciplinary team. Priority will be given to candidates who have co-authored at least one scientific publication (submitted or accepted). Experience with morphometric analysis, climatic niche modelling and/or significant fieldwork experience in tropical mountains is advantageous. Required qualifications: - Master's degree in biology or related fields (awarded before start). - Good communication skills in English. - Independence and documented research productivity. Funding and Environment: The position is fully funded through a combination of research grant salary and student stipend. The PhD program (4 years) is based at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia (https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en). The research facility at the Biology Centre CAS (https://www.entu.cas.cz/en/) is in Ceske Budejovice, a charming historical city in the south of the country, within easy reach of Prague and Vienna. Our working environment (Department of Ecology, Institute of Entomology) is highly diverse and international. How to apply: Send your application in English to pavel.matos@entu.cas.cz, consisting of one single PDF containing the following: - Cover letter, outlining your motivation, how your background and skills fit the project, and your potential plans within the research focus of this position (max. 2 pages). - CV, including contact details of at least two referees familiar with your work. The deadline for applications is January 11, 2026. The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview in English. The start date is expected in spring 2026. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Dr. P??vel Matos-Marav?? Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences Brani??ovsk?? 31, 37005, ??esk?? Bud??jovice, Czech Republic Email: pavel.matos@entu.cas.cz Web: https://pavelmatos.wordpress.com/ Matos Maravi Pavel Fortunato (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Other******************** Remembrance of Lost Species Day (November 30) is a time to honor the species that have gone extinct, especially in modern times, or are facing extinction. It is also a day to reflect on the roles we (humans) play in driving species imperilment and the responsibility we have to prevent further extinction. In honor of extinct and imperiled species, the Journal of Lost Species (JLS) is a new, peer-reviewed record of the contemporary biodiversity crisis. The goals of JLS are to advance scientific understanding of extinction, support the development of methods for biodiversity documentation, and facilitate the rediscovery of lost species. Publications in JLS include the documentation of imperiled, lost, and extinct species, as well as notes on rediscovery. Lost species are defined as species that have not been detected in the wild in ten or more years, and lost species might be extinct, imperiled, or even stable and simply difficult to detect or insufficiently searched for. This particular use of the word "lost" is important, because it reminds us that even species that have not been seen in many years might be found again. JLS is true open access: free for authors and readers. Our partners include Re:wild, the IUCN Species Survival Commission, the University of Nevada Museum of Natural History, and the Tahoe Institute for Global Sustainability. Our Editorial Board members span the globe and provide expertise across the tree of life. Our contributors and audience extend beyond academic scientists: JLS invites contributions from land managers, conservation practitioners, amateur naturalists, and community scientists. JLS is currently accepting submissions for the first issue. To learn more about article types and the submission process, visit journaloflostspecies.org. Matthew L Forister (he/him) McMinn Professor of Biology Dept. of Biology / MS 314 1664 N. Virginia St. University of Nevada, Reno Reno, Nevada 89557 Lab Monitoring Journal of Lost Species Office: 257 Fleischmann Life Sciences (775) 784 - 6770 Matthew L Forister (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)