********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD Position (w/m/d, 65 %, EG 13 TV-L, 3 years) Genetic Basis of Drought Adaptation in Brassica rapa Institute for Plant Ecology and Evolution, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf (HHU) The Institute for Plant Ecology and Evolution invites applications for a PhD position investigating the ecological and genetic mechanisms of rapid adaptation to climate change. Our group combines ecological studies and resurrection approaches with quantitative genetics and ecological genomics to study evolutionary responses in natural plant populations and the genetic basis of adaptive traits. Project Description: The project examines two Californian Brassica rapa populations that show parallel phenotypic shifts under drought but differ genetically. Using common gardens, quantitative genetic approaches, and genomic analyses (SNP data, GWAS, QTL mapping), the PhD student will quantify trait variation and covariation, identify the genetic architecture of drought-adaptive traits, and assess how environmental and genetic factors shape trait correlations. YOUR TASKS: - Set up and analyze resurrection-based common garden experiments at HHU - Process and analyze phenotypic, environmental, and genomic datasets - Conduct GWAS, QTL mapping and quantitative genetic analyses - Present results at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals - Supervise students and contribute to teaching activities within the institute YOUR PROFILE: Required - MSc in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, population/quantitative genetics, or related - Strong background in evolutionary ecology and quantitative/evolutionary genetics - Experience with NGS data processing or population genomic analyses - Strong organizational, solution-focused, and team-working skills - Excellent English communication skills Preferred - Experience with plant experiments (e.g., common gardens/greenhouse) - Proficiency in statistical data analysis and programming (R, Python, bash) - Experience with GWAS and QTL mapping workflows - Demonstrated scientific writing experience - Good German skills - Lawful ability to work in the EU WE OFFER: - A DFG-funded position in a growing research institute with strengths in plant ecology, evolution, and genomics - Potential association with TRR 341 and close links to CEPLAS - Structured doctoral training (iGRAD, JUNO, HeRA) - An international, supportive, and family-friendly working environment TO APPLY: Submit one PDF including: (i) Cover letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your motivation and research interests; (ii) CV including publication list and contact details of two references; (iii) BSc and MSc certificates and transcripts. Send applications by 30.12.2025 to elena.hamann@hhu.de, subject line: Application PhD Genetics. Expected starting date: March 2026 or as early as possible. For questions contact Prof. Elena Hamann and see https://www.plantecoevo.hhu.de. Jun.-Prof. Dr. Elena Hamann (she/her) Institute of Plant Ecology and Evolution Heinrich Heine University D�sseldorf Universit�tstrasse 1 - Building 22.07, Room 01.025 D-40225 D�sseldorf Germany Tel: +49-211-8115637 E-mail: Elena.hamann@hhu.de https://www.plantecoevo.hhu.de/en/ Elena Hamann (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** We are looking for a researcher to work on the project "Cell imaging laboratory for investigating plant stress factors - ZIMPS". The position is funded for 18 months and is renewable for additional 18 months. The project evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano is located in one of the most fascinating European regions, at the crossroads between the German-speaking and Italian cultures. Its trilingualism in teaching and research, its high level of internationalization as well as an ideal study environment guaranteed by its excellent facilities are some of the reasons why unibz regularly reaches top positions in national and international rankings. We are member of the Competence Centre for Plant Health, a joint institution which consists of several research groups in the field of Biology, Agricultural Sciences and Engineering. https://www.unibz.it/en/home/research/competence-centre-plant-health. We are young and dynamic research groups studying various aspects of insect-microbe interactions (http://hschuler.people.unibz.it), plant developmental genetics (Simon Unterholzner) and plant-microbe-interactions (Tanja Mimmo, Luigimaria Borruso). We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a strong background in imaging especially CLSM imaging in plants and insects. Competences with molecular approaches as well as experience with imaging data analysis are desired.looking for a researcher to work on the project "Cell imaging laboratory for investigating plant stress factors - ZIMPS". The position is funded for 18 months and is renewable for additional 18 months. General requirements for the position: PhD degree in Biological, Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology with a multidisciplinary profile. The candidate should have excellent communication skills and should be fluent in English. The project is expected to start in April 2026, but the starting date is negotiable. Application deadline is 12.12.2025 (noon) For informal inquiries, and for questions about the hiring process, please contact Hannes Schuler hannes.schuler@unibz.it or Simon Josef Unterholzner SimonJosef.Unterholzner@unibz.it All documents for the application procedure can be found here: https://www.unibz.it/en/home/position-calls/positions-for-academic-staff/8044-allgemeine-und-angewandte-entomologie-prof-schuler-hannes?groupp Prof. Hannes Schuler Competence Centre for Plant Health Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences Free University of Bozen-Bolzano Universitätsplatz 5 I-39100 Bozen-Bolzano Tel: +39 0471 017648 http://hschuler.people.unibz.it Schuler Hannes (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** You will contribute to an international collaborative project entitled "Multi-scale infection dynamics from cells to landscapes: FMD in African buffalo", working with Prof Roman Biek. This innovative NSF/BBSRC-funded project uses foot-and-mouth-disease virus (FMDV) in African buffalo as a model to understand how phenotypic variation within virus species can explain the spread, persistence, and co-existence of viral variants. Your role will be to process virus sequence data and to contribute phylodynamic analyses and models to test how variation among variants scales up to structure viral diversity at the landscape scale, working closely with collaborators at the U Warwick (mathematical modelling) and Pirbright (virology) in the UK as well as collaborators in the USA and South Africa. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project. PLEASE NOTE UPCOMING DEADLINE - 2 DEC 2025 For informal enquiries or further information about the position, please contact Roman Biek (Roman.Biek@glasgow.ac.uk) For more information about the larger project see https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB/X006085/1 https://vetmed.oregonstate.edu/all-stories/fy-2023-research-highlights For more information on the University of Glasgow's School of Biodiversity One Health & Vet Medicine, please visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/ Roman Biek (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear colleagues, I wanted to bring the BE20 conference to the attention of evolutionary biologists. This conference is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Biodiversity Exploratories, a large scale, long term interdisciplinary biodiversity research platform in Germany. It has been collecting data and samples since 2008, making it an interesting platform for evolutionary biologists. Please see the invitation text below, the website is https://www.biodiversity-exploratories.de/de/be20/ To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Biodiversity Exploratories, we are pleased to invite you to the first international BE20 Conference! The event will take place from June 8-12, 2026 at the Langebeck-Virchow Haus in Berlin under the theme: "Integrating Emerging Topics in Long-Term and Large-Scale Biodiversity Research" The conference will begin on Monday evening, June 8, 2026, with an opening lecture, followed by a welcome reception. From Tuesday, June 9, 2026, to Thursday, June 11, 2026, participants will have the opportunity to present talks in various sessions across different disciplines of long-term biodiversity research. For more details, please refer to "Call for Abstracts". We are excited to welcome several renowned keynote speakers, who will provide inspiring insights into long-term and large-scale biodiversity research. More information can be found under "Keynotes". In addition, the conference will feature workshops, discussion panels and social events to promote interdisciplinary exchange. On Friday, June 12, 2026, participants will have the opportunity to join a special excursion to our Schorfheide-Chorin exploratory, offering exclusive insights into the research conducted within the Biodiversity Exploratories. The conference aims to bring together scientists from around the world and to create an interdisciplinary platform for discussing current challenges in long-term and large-scale biodiversity research. We look forward to numerous exciting contributions, lively discussions, and international exchange! For questions or suggestions, please contact the Biodiversity Exploratories Coordination Office: beo@senckenberg.de We look forward to welcoming you to Berlin in June 2026! Scientific Committee: Markus Fischer | Nico Blüthgen | Marion Mehring | Marion Schrumpf |Stefanie Schulz |Paul Magdon | Peter Manning Coordination Office: Victoria Grießmeier | Franca Marian | Dong-Hee Maeng | Eva Schmidt wil50772 (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear Friends and Colleagues, Plans are well underway for the inaugural Midwater Science and Engineering Community Conference (MidSEC) announced in September. The conference website can now be found at MidSEC.info. We envision this meeting a bit different than your typical conference (check out the draft schedule ) with many opportunities to interact in this beautiful and cozy setting. We hope to have a large component of engineers involved and to spend some time strategizing as a group to advance and fund our field. Also on the website, you will find a link to join the MidSEC list serv that we have launched to connect all of us interested in midwater research, technology and conservation. We hope the list serv will be a useful tool for the community to announce opportunities, share new publications, ask questions, find collaborations, and become more connected, strategic, and unified. Please join us on the list and share your midwater related news and questions. Please help us get the word out by forwarding this to anyone you know who is interested in midwater science and engineering. We hope to see you in Sweden next June, Karen -- Karen Osborn Research Zoologist/Curator of Polychaetes, Peracarids and Plankton Department of Invertebrate Zoology w 202.633.3668 osbornk@si.edu http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4226-9257 Mail: Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, MRC-163 P.O. Box 37012, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 USA Courier Address: Smithsonian Institution, MR 0163, Natural History, West Loading Dock, 10th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20560 ** Due to my schedule, you may get an email outside of your normal working hours. Please do not feel that you need to respond outside of your normal working hours. ** "Osborn, Karen" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)