********************GradStudentPositions******************** A PhD position supervised by Dr. Helen Alexander at the Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Edinburgh, is open for applications (deadline: 7 January 2026). Expected start date is October 2026. Project title: "Mathematically modelling the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations". Candidates would ideally have a degree in math, physics, or another discipline with substantial mathematical/computational training, combined with motivation to answer biological questions as part of an interdisciplinary research group. Funding for a 4-year PhD is available on a competitive basis through the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh scholarships (https://biology.ed.ac.uk/darwintrust/phdstudenships/edinburgh). Interested candidates should contact the supervisor in advance of applying (helen.alexander@ed.ac.uk). For further details on the project and instructions on how to apply, please see the project listing at: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate-research/apply-for-a-phd/findaphd For more information about the research group, please visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/alexander Dr. Helen Alexander Royal Society University Research Fellow Institute of Ecology & Evolution University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Is e buidheann carthannais a th' ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, clàraichte an Alba, àireamh clàraidh SC005336. Helen Alexander (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD Position Evolution of Epigenetic Regulation in Beetles Group of Prof. J. Kurtz, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity at the University of Münster, Germany Research Assistant (m/f/d) (salary grade E 13 TV-L, 65 %) The position is available immediately and tied to working towards a doctorate. The duration of the position is limited to three years. This research project focuses on the evolutionary flexibility of epigenetic regulation in insects. Even within the group of beetles, some species rely on CpG methylation, while other species have lost the relevant DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt genes). Using beetles as models, our project aims to understand the evolution of epigenetic regulation systems, elucidate the alternative functions of DNA methyltransferases and assess the mutual dependences between DNA methylation and histone modification. The successful candidate will make use of the combined power of sequencing technology to analyse epigenetic processes (Methyl-Seq, Cut&Tag, RNAseq) and functional validation (RNAi) in up to ten beetle species. The candidate will collaborate intensively with a PhD student from Prof Sonja Prohaska's research group at the University of Leipzig, who will contribute expertise in bioinformatics. The project is part of the Priority Programme "Genomic Basis of Evolutionary Innovations (SPP 2349 GEvol, https://g-evol.uni-muenster.de)" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). GEvol aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration that leverages cutting-edge computational and omics methodologies to reconstruct and understand the evolutionary history of insect genomes using comparative genomics. For a recent publication from the project see https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.b.23303; for further publications of the Kurtz lab see https://www.uni-muenster.de/Evolution/animalevolecol/publications/index.shtml. Applicants should be highly motivated scientists interested in interdisciplinary work. They should have the equivalent of a master's degree in biology, preferentially with a focus on evolution, molecular biology, genomics or a related field. A background, and ideally some experience, in any of the following areas will be useful: molecular laboratory skills, functional genomics and/or practical insect work. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and be able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. The working language of the Institute and the lab is English, therefore good proficiency in spoken and written English is a requirement. German language skills are not a requirement, but a willingness to learn is desirable. The Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity provides a stimulating research environment with a number of scientific groups researching diverse topics centred on different aspects of evolution. The successful applicant will join a structured graduate program provided by the Münster Graduate School of Evolution (MGSE, https://www.uni-muenster.de/Evolution/mgse/). As a part of the Priority Programme GEvol (SPP 2349) the project will involve intensive collaboration with consortium partners across Germany. The University of Münster is one of the largest universities in Germany, with 42,500 students and 7,750 employees in teaching, research and administration, all working together to shape perspectives for the future. Embedded in the vibrant atmosphere of Münster with its high standard of living, the University's diverse research profile and attractive study programmes draw students and researchers throughout Germany and from around the world. The University of Münster strongly supports equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions. We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate. We look forward to receiving your application, written in English, in one single PDF file, by 11.01.2026. Please note that we cannot consider other file formats. Applications should be sent to Prof Joachim Kurtz at: Joachim.Kurtz@uni-muenster.de, with the subject PhD application-SPP-your name. Applications should include 1) a cover letter with a statement of research interests and motivation (max. 1 page), 2) a CV including details about research experience and publications, and 3) contact details for at least two referees. Prof. Dr. Joachim Kurtz University of Muenster Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Animal Evolutionary Ecology Group Huefferstr. 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany Phone (secretary): + 49 251 83 21638 Phone (direct): + 49 251 83 24661 Fax: + 49 251 83 24668 Room: 109 joachim.kurtz@uni-muenster.de http://www.uni-muenster.de/Evolution/animalevolecol/kurtz.shtml "Kurtz, Joachim" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Presidential Graduate Assistantship (PGA) Position: Integrative insights into conservation threats in extreme ecosystems The Integrative Stewardship of Extreme Environments (ISEE) research cluster within the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (SMNS) at Arizona State University (ASU) seeks applicants for the Presidential Graduate Assistant (PGA) Fellowship Program to start at ASU in Fall 2026. ISEE is an interdisciplinary research cluster working across the natural and mathematical sciences on conservation issues, and the recruited students will work across these disciplines with a primary focus in one of the following PhD Programs at ASU: The School of Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Animal Behavior, Environmental Life Sciences, Evolutionary Biology, etc.), School of Sustainability, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (e.g., Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics), or School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (e.g., Computer Science; Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering). The Presidential Graduate Assistantship (PGA) is a merit-based award created to support the recruitment, professional development and faculty mentoring of doctoral students whose research teaching and service will contribute to advancing the ASU Charter. The program creates opportunities to recruit and mentor doctoral students enrolling in an on-campus immersion degree program who offer great potential to advance into the professoriate and other careers. This program ensures our continued evolution as a premier public research institution with a fundamental responsibility to the communities that it serves. ISEE is seeking students interested in performing research on conservation biology within extreme environments under the supervision of one or more of the faculty within the research cluster. Research questions could be focused on investigating fundamental biological processes (ecology, evolution, behavior, biogeochemistry, etc.), applied contexts (i.e., the nature/impact of conservation threats on biodiversity), and may utilize a range of tools in mathematical modelling, computing (e.g., artificial intelligence and machine learning), and biological sciences. ISEE seeks to recruit two students for the program to work within a collaborative network of faculty and students on research taking place within ecosystems that uniquely challenge the biological limitations of life in the southwestern U.S. or globally. Competitive applicants will be excited about developing interdisciplinary collaborations, and because partial funding for these positions comes from the U.S. N.S.F. Center for Analysis and Prediction of Pandemic Expansion (APPEX) program, students will be expected to develop some collaborative research in this area during their time in graduate school. The Presidential Graduate Assistantship position offers: - Financial Support: Four years of funding (full tuition coverage, stipend, and health insurance), contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. - Research Opportunities & Mentorship: In addition to training in research, the PGA program will provide training in collaboration, mentorship, teaching, and science communication. The doctoral student will work with a principal mentor to develop an Individual Development Plan tailored to their research interests and career goals. - Professional Development: The doctoral student will join a cohort of scholars across ASU and participate in specialized training, workshops, networking, and mentorship opportunities provided by the Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Graduate College. Faculty Recruiting PhD students: - Becky Ball focuses on the impacts of human activities on soil biology and biogeochemistry in extreme ecosystems - Anthony Barley does research on the ecology, evolution, conservation, and genomics of reptiles and amphibians - Alli Cramer focuses on Marine ecology, Landscape ecology, Data Science, and Remote Sensing. - Nina Fefferman focuses on mathematical modelling of infectious diseases and conservation biology - Yixuan He focuses on graph machine learning, artificial intelligence, network analysis, and mathematical modelling. - Chad Johnson focuses on Animal behavior and urban ecology. - Sheila Miller Edwards focuses on mathematics, applied mathematics, network analysis, explainable artificial intelligence, machine learning, and use of AI in conservation. To Apply: To be considered for the program, students should submit a CV and a 500 word statement describing their research/educational background, graduate school research interests (including how training within the graduate program they would seek a PhD from, and under the particular faculty member(s) with which they would seek training, uniquely fits in that context), as well as the ways in which they anticipate advancing the ASU Charter during their graduate education. For full consideration for the PGA program, submit the above to your proposed ISEE primary faculty mentor by January 1, 2026. Following selection by the ISEE program committee, the students will seek admission through one of the graduate programs within the units above, and thus will need to meet admission requirements as specified by their anticipated Ph.D. program home. Contact Us: For questions, please email one of the faculty recruiting students listed above. About Arizona State University: ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves. Anthony Barley (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD fellowship in Genomics - PhD Project in Vertebrate Comparative Genomics See the ad: https://employment.ku.dk/phd?show=153713 The Natural History Museum Denmark invites applicants for a 3-year PhD fellowship in comparative genomics studying the genomic basis of miniaturisation in vertebrates. The project is part of the research project GEMINI, which is funded by an ERC Starting Grant to PI Assoc. Prof. Mark D. Scherz. Starting date is expected to be April 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The project This project is seeking to elucidate the genomic underpinnings and consequences of miniaturisation in vertebrates. By harnessing high-quality genome resources, the project will seek to answer questions including "What happens in the genomes of vertebrates undergoing miniaturisation" and "To what extent are changes in the genome of miniaturised vertebrates deterministic consequences of size reduction". Your task will be to generate (with a mixture of labwork and bioinformatics) reference-quality genomes of miniaturised and related non-miniaturised vertebrates. The goal is to create an analytical framework on which we can test key hypotheses. You will help in the generation of the whole genome alignments, and investigate a number of hypotheses as part of the project. Who are we looking for? We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of comparative genomics and evolution. Applicants can have a background from bioinformatics, comparative genomics, evolutionary biology, computational biology, or a related field. The ideal candidate should * be familiar with coding bioinformatic pipelines * have good command of at least one of the following coding languages: R, bash, python, perl * have some experience of molecular laboratory work * be both flexible and reliable, and eager to learn new skills * be collaborative and communicative * have good written and oral skills in English. * Familiarity with zoology is desirable but not essential. The Scherz Lab One of the key focus areas of Mark D. Scherz's lab is the evolution of miniaturisation in vertebrates. We seek to answer fundamental questions, such as "what is the lower limit for the vertebrate bauplan" and "what kind of modifications are necessitated by extreme size reduction of vertebrate anatomy" to get at the core question of the role of extreme body size shift in generating novelty and innovation. Other topics we are working on in the group include museomics (sequencing DNA from archival material), systematics and taxonomy, and macroevolution of skeletal and gross anatomy. You can read more about the work we are doing at www.markscherz.com/lab. The group is a part of the Natural History Museum Denmark, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen, with office space at the Sølvgade complex at Øster Farimagsgade 2, 1353 København K, beside the botanical garden in the centre of the city. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include museomics laboratories and advanced microscope and imaging labs among other facilities, 14 million natural history collections within geology, botany and zoology, and a botanical garden with living scientific plant collections. Principal supervisor is Associate Professor & Curator of Herpetology Dr. rer. nat. Mark D. Scherz, Natural History Museum Denmark, mark.scherz@snm.ku.dk The PhD programme The PhD programme of the Faculty of Science is a three-year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme). Qualifications needed for the regular programme To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. biology with a component of genomics, bioinformatics, or computational biology. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database . Terms of employment in the regular programme Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years. Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science , University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant (together with the supervisor). 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 . The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure . Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at 30,800 DKK/approximately 4,125 EUR (April 2025 level) plus pension. For more information, including courses PhD students can/must take, see the PhD School website . Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes * Carry out an independent research project under supervision * Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / 1/2 FTE * Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad * Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities * Write scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals * Present the project at international conferences * Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project Important assessment criteria include: * The grade point average achieved at MSc and BSc level * Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project * Experience in publishing scientific papers * Relevant work experience * Other relevant professional activities * A curious mind-set with a strong interest in vertebrate evolution, genomics, and related subjects * English language skills Application and Assessment Procedure Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Please include: 1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page) 2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position 3. Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. 4. Publication list with text outlines about your contributions to the respective publications (if available) 5. Reference letters (up to two, if available) The deadline for applications is 4 January 2026, 23:59 GMT +2. We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above mentioned requirements. The further process After the deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You will be notified, whether you will be passed for assessment. The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified for the 5+3 model as described above. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/. Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 6 2026. Questions For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Associate Professor Mark D. Scherz, mark.scherz@snm.ku.dk. Please put "Comparative Genomics PhD position inquiry" in the subject of the e-mail. General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position. See the ad: https://employment.ku.dk/phd?show=153713 "Mark D. Scherz" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** A four-year postdoctoral position is available in the Mutualisms Laboratory at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK. Applications are due on December 15th: https://www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/postdoctoral-researcher-hassan-group/ The Mutualisms Research Group studies the evolution and mechanisms of mutualistic interactions between insects and microbes. Focusing on leaf beetles and their bacterial symbionts, the group explores how these partnerships shape host nutrition, development, and adaptation. Using genomic, chemical, and developmental approaches, they investigate how symbionts contribute to host physiology and ecological success. By integrating evolutionary biology and molecular tools, the group aims to uncover the processes that maintain beneficial host-microbe associations and illuminate the broader principles governing symbiosis in nature. A postdoc skilled in genetic manipulations is essential to advance the group's research on insect-microbe mutualisms. They will develop and apply molecular tools for functional studies in symbiotic systems, enabling gene editing, symbiont manipulation, and mechanistic insight into host-symbiont interactions that drive evolutionary innovation and ecological adaptation. The initial contract length is 17 months, after which the employment duration is extended through four years. The role: The candidate will complement bioassays in the laboratory and field, and develop and apply genetic manipulation tools to dissect the molecular and functional mechanisms underlying insect-microbe mutualisms. This diverse role will provide you with a broad range of stimulating activities, including: Designing and implementing innovative genetic tools to experimentally probe host-symbiont interactions. Collaborating across disciplines, including, genomics, microbiology, and evolutionary biology in order to integrate diverse datasets and approaches. Presenting discoveries at international conferences and mentoring students within a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment. The ideal candidate: You will have a PhD or equivalent in Evolutionary Biology, Genomics or related discipline. The successful candidate will have good knowledge of molecular biology techniques and genomics as well as scripting (preferably in R or Python). The post holder will have demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas in the area of symbiosis research and the development of genetic tools for microorganisms. They will also have experience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and students, excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex information with clarity and a demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills. Additional information: For inquiries, please contact Dr. Hassan Salem (hassan.salem@jic.ac.uk). For further information and details of how to apply can be found here: https://www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/postdoctoral-researcher-hassan-group/ or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004977. Applications are due on December 15th. We anticipate interviews for this role will take place in late January. Therefore, please be advised that shortlisted candidates may not be contacted until early January. This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options. We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme. Hassan Salem (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** The Computational Biology Core at the University of Connecticut is hosting a virtual bioinformatics workshop this winter! We still have space available in our RAD-seq Workshop (virtual with live instruction – Dec. 16–18). This hands-on workshop will cover the complete RAD-seq analysis workflow, from quality control to variant calling and population structure analysis. Participants will learn Linux basics, RAD-seq data processing, de novo and reference-based variant calling using Stacks and Freebayes, and filtering and formatting variant datasets for downstream analyses. This workshop is designed for beginners—no prior bioinformatics experience required. Learn more & register here: https://bioinformatics.uconn.edu/cbc-workshops/ WHERE: Virtual (MS Teams | Recordings distributed) WHEN: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST COST: $400 (UConn affiliates)    $500 (External participants) Registration is first come, first served. Questions? E-mail cbcsupport@helpspotmail.com "Lambert, Karelyn" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all, Registration is now open for the Physalia online course Comparative Genomics (6th edition), taking place 23-27 February 2026. Course website: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course34/ ) Across five days, participants will learn key concepts and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools for: de novo genome assembly and annotation identification of SNPs and SVs evaluation of sequencing technologies (Illumina, PacBio, ONT) comparative analyses across multiple genomes functional interpretation of genomic variation in an evolutionary context Each day includes a lecture and group discussion of core principles, followed by guided practical exercises. Participants will work through mirroring tasks with the instructors and complete individual analyses on provided datasets, with opportunities to bring and discuss their own data. Program Overview: Mon: Introduction; file formats; assembly concepts; QC and initial assembly Tue: Full de novo assembly (short + long reads); assembly metrics Wed: Genome annotation; repeats; gene prediction; synteny; Maker2 and IGV Thu: Structural variant biology; mapping strategies; SV calling and comparison Fri: Functional impact of variants; GO, KEGG, orthology; summary discussion For full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/ ) 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) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear colleagues, Transmitting Science is offering a new edition of the course "Disparity: Introduction to the analysis of morphological disparity" Course webpage: https://www.transmittingscience.com/courses/evolution/introduction-to-the-analysis-of-morphological-disparity/ Dates and schedule: online live sessions on January 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15th, 2026 The aim of this course is to introduce participants to the analysis of morphological disparity in evolutionary biology and palaeontology. The course will cover theoretical background in disparity metrics, data acquisition, morphometric analysis, and interpretation of results. By the end of the course, students will be able to: * Understand the conceptual basis of morphological disparity. * Apply disparity metrics to empirical data. * Interpret results in an evolutionary/palaeontological context. Instruction will combine lectures, guided examples, and practical exercises. For any questions, please write to courses@transmittingscience.com Best wishes Sole Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno, PhD Director Transmitting Science www.transmittingscience.com/courses Bluesky @soledeesteban.bsky.social X @SoleDeEsteban Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2049-0890 Under the provisions of current regulations on the protection of personal data, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 (GDPR), we inform you that personal data and email address, collected from the data subject will be used by TRANSMITTING SCIENCE SL to manage communications through email and properly manage the professional relationship with you. The data are obtained based on a contractual relationship or the legitimate interest of the Responsible, likewise the data will be kept as long as there is a mutual interest for it. The data will not be communicated to third parties, except for legal obligations. We inform you that you can request detailed information on the processing as well as exercise your rights of access, rectification, portability and deletion of your data and those of limitation and opposition to its treatment by contacting Calle Gardenia, 2 Urb. Can Claramunt de Piera CP: 08784 (Barcelona) or sending an email to info@transmittingscience.com or http://transmittingscience.com/additional-terms. If you consider that the processing does not comply with current legislation, you can complain with the supervisory authority at www. aepd.es . Confidentiality. - The content of this communication, as well as that of all the attached documentation, is confidential and is addressed to the addressee. If you are not the recipient, we request that you indicate this to us and do not communicate its contents to third parties, proceeding to its destruction. Disclaimer of liability. - The sending of this communication does not imply any obligation on the part of the sender to control the absence of viruses, worms, Trojan horses and/or any other harmful computer program, and it corresponds to the recipient to have the necessary hardware and software tools to guarantee both the security of its information system and the detection and elimination of harmful computer programs. TRANSMITTING SCIENCE SL shall not be liable. Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear all, Together with Tanja Schwander, Laura Ross, and Axel Imhof, we are organizing an EMBO workshop on the Molecular Mechanisms of Selfish Elements and Strategies, to be held from Sunday 8 to Wednesday 11 of February 2026 in Bern, Switzerland. We have an exciting line-up of invited speakers, and the topic should be of broad interest to the evolutionary genetic community. Abstract submissions are open until 15 December 2025. You can find more information on the website : https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-selfish-elements Best wishes, Luca Soldini PhD Student - Schwander Group Selfish genetic elements and atypical reproductive modes Department of Ecology and Evolution University of Lausanne Luca Soldini (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** The next SMBE2026 Conference will be held in Copenhagen between 28th June and 2nd July. In this regard, we are delighted to announce that conference registration, call for submission of abstracts, and the call for SMBE award applications are now open. When submitting an abstract, you will be able to choose from a range of ca 30 different symposia, the details of which are listed here: https://smbe2026.org/programme/ Three different presentation types are on offer: > Oral presentation (12 minutes presentation + 3 minutes for questions) > Oral flash presentation (3 minutes presentation + 2 minutes for questions) > Poster presentation (Poster visible for 1 full conference day incl. a poster presentation session) Relevant timelines are: 1st December 2025 - 3rd February 2026: Submission time window for abstracts and applications for consideration for SMBE awards 2nd March 2026 - Notification of abstracts and awards For full details on how to submit please see: https://smbe2026.org/abstracts/ We look forward to hosting many of you in Copenhagen next year. The SMBE2026 Local Organising Committee Tom Gilbert (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)