********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD position in computational evolutionary biology Title: Unraveling the impact of gene flow during species divergence We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student with skills in computational biology and/or biostatistics to embark on this cutting-edge research project. The goal is to develop more realistic models and computationally efficient methods that will enable the analysis of extensive phylogenomic datasets, which are now commonplace in evolutionary biology. The methods will be implemented into the widely-used software RevBayes. Understanding how species diverge through the exchange of genetic material is a fascinating area of study. While evidence of gene flow exists across diverse biological groups, there is a critical need to assess its prevalence and impact at phylogenetic time scales. Current models fall short, particularly when evaluating gene flow along multiple speciation events, especially at deep time horizons. This project will develop more complex phylogenetic models and draw insights from diverse organisms, including grasshoppers, fruit flies, persimmon trees, and fireflies. We aim to answer these three key questions: * What is the evolutionary significance of gene flow during species divergence? * Are most regions of the genome affected by gene flow, or do some regions show an elevated impact of gene flow? * What is the interplay between natural selection and gene flow during species evolution? The successful candidate will be stationed at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and affiliated with the Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics. For more information, visit https://www.popgen-vienna.at/. There is also a potential opportunity for a 6-month to one-year assignment abroad. Requirements: The main requirement of this position is that the candidate is proficient in at least one coding language. A second skill would be either (1) understanding of evolution and handling of genomic data or (2) statistical inference. Salary: 14 times a year, according to this table https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/steps-to-your-fwf-project/further-information/personnel-costs How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications, including a brief CV and a one-page cover letter outlining their research experience and interest in the project, to ruiborges23@gmail.com. The application deadline is May 30th; however, applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is selected. Candidates interested in further information can contact me at ruiborges23@gmail.com. Rui Borges Group Leader Institute of Population Genetics Vetmeduni Vienna Veterinaerplatz 1 A-1210 Vienna Rui Borges (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD positions in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Effects of Phenotypic Plasticity and/or Extreme Events on Ecological Dynamics The HartLab at the University of Queensland focuses on understanding why population sizes of plants and animals rise and fall. This is one of the oldest and most fundamental problems in ecology, and underpins our ability to predict environmental impacts, and to manage threatened, harvested, and pest species. We are currently recruiting PhD students to work on projects that address two important problems in this area of research: 1. The effects of phenotypic plasticity on ecological dynamics. Dominant explanations for the rise and fall of species have focused on environmental variation and species interactions but have typically excluded the ability of species to rapidly evolve or change plastically in response to changing conditions. This project will combine theory, lab and field experiments, molecular tools, and statistical analyses, to understand when and how phenotypic plasticity affects the dynamics of plants and animals in an era of global environmental change. 2. Dramatic ecology For the most part, ecological systems 'bubble along', changing slowly and/or in small ways but not really changing much at all. But ecological systems sometimes change dramatically, experiencing big changes over short periods of time. Examples include plagues and outbreaks, population collapses, as well as the 'turning over' of entire ecosystems. Sometimes these dramatic changes occur when systems reach a tipping point; other times these dramatic changes occur because of the effects of exogenous shocks such as extreme climatic events (e.g. heatwaves and floods). This project will explore these dramatic changes in ecological systems, primarily through theory development and/or analyses of time series data. There may also be opportunities for new empirical work. The ultimate goal of this work is to improve our ability to identify, understand, and predict these large, rapid, sometimes unprecedented, and often consequential changes, in population and community dynamics. About us The HartLab is a group of biologists who use a suite of quantitative approaches (theory, smaller-scale [and clever] manipulative experiments, large-scale mensurative experiments, meta-analyses, analyses of large datasets [e.g. time series]) to solve big biological problems. We are motivated to increase our understanding of how our biological world works, particularly in the context of global environmental change. We increasingly focus on the ecology of freshwater ecosystems. These systems provide wonderfully challenging opportunities for combining theory, observations, and experiments to discover how nature works. And importantly, freshwater ecosystems are, per unit area, the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, yet they remain underexplored, underappreciated, and under threat. Our research is currently supported by grants from the Australian Research Council and private industry. Our group currently includes three PhD students and one senior research fellow, with additional PhD and Honours students due to begin in the second half of 2024. We have extensive, active, research collaborations both within Australia and internationally. The University of Queensland is a research-intensive University and the School of the Environment comprises more than 200 academic and postdoctoral research staff, and ~200 higher-degree research students. The students and projects will benefit from the School's formidable research expertise in ecology, evolutionary biology and genetics, physiology, and mathematical, statistical and computational biology. According to the Center for World University Rankings by Subject, the School is a global leader in biodiversity conservation (ranked #1), marine and freshwater biology (ranked #3), ecology (ranked #6), and environmental science (ranked #6). Just as importantly, life is good here, there are koalas, and the beach is pretty close. About you We are looking for curious and creative students who can demonstrate a strong motivation to understand ecological and evolutionary dynamics, and who have a strong quantitative focus and a desire to work in a supportive and engaging team environment. We are particularly interested in candidates with one or more of the following attributes, each of which is desirable but not necessarily essential: a) a background in ecology and/or evolutionary biology, b) strong statistical, mathematical and/or computational skills, c) experience with laboratory and field experimental/sampling designs, d) some experience with molecular genetics, e) experience working in freshwater ecosystems, f) strong written and verbal communication skills. PhD scholarship and application process If successful, you will be supported by a UQ Graduate School Scholarship under the Australian Federal Government's Research Training Program. As a scholarship recipient, you will receive a living stipend of $35,000 AUD per annum tax free (mid-2024 rate), indexed annually. In addition, tuition fees are covered, and you will receive Overseas Student Health Cover if you are an international (non-Australian) student. Applying for a scholarship is a two-step process. First, you will apply directly to me (Simon Hart). If you are suitable for the position, then in a second step, I will support your application to the UQ Graduate School. Eligibility Potential scholarship recipients need to meet eligibility requirements, which can be found here . Briefly, and at a minimum, you will need a degree with high grades (>80%) - typically either a Master's degree, or a Bachelor's degree with Honours or equivalent research-based thesis component. Additional research experience, work experience and/or publications (including technical research reports) may be required and are certainly an advantage. Apply If you are interested in the project(s) and meet eligibility requirements, then please submit a cover letter detailing your experience and research interests, with particular reference to the requirements of the position. The cover letter, together with a copy of your CV, University academic transcripts, and the names of at least two referees should be sent in a single email addressed to Dr Simon Hart (s.hart@uq.edu.au). Please submit your application as soon as possible (applications will be considered immediately). International applicants must submit their application to me no later than Friday 10th May. Importantly, please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss the opportunities. Applying for PhDs can be intimidating, but I really enjoy engaging with potential candidates about their goals and concerns to determine if an opportunity is a good fit for all involved. I don't bite, and I am very happy to talk with you if you would like more information about the opportunity, and your eligibility or suitability for the role. Finally, we value a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for these positions, without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, origin, genetics, disability, or age. Simon Hart (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD position in evolutionary genetics of adaptation to undernutrition in Drosophila (deadline extended to 10 May) A PhD position is available in Tadeusz Kawecki's lab at the Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland (https://www.unil.ch/dee/kawecki-group). We are looking for a qualified candidate motivated for research at the interface of experimental evolution, genetics and molecular biology. The student will work in the framework of a larger project aiming to understand the mechanisms underlying improved tolerance to larval undernutrition generated through long-term experimental evolution in Drosophila melanogaster. At least initially, the project will focus on testing the role of a candidate gene involved in ecdysone metabolism in mediating growth responses to nutrition. It will involve a combination of organismal physiological and life history assays with molecular and genetic approaches (LC/MS, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, RNAi, enzyme activity rate etc.). For more background on the project see https://doi.org/10.1093/evlett/qrad018, https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.92465 and https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011204. The candidate must have a master's degree in biology, at least basis experience in molecular lab, solid understanding of statistics and experimental design, and aptitude for laboratory research. Some experience with experimental work with Drosophila or other insects would be a plus. No-preexisting knowledge of French is required (research-related discussions, seminars etc. and part of teaching are in English) but learning basic French would make living in Lausanne more enjoyable. The job involves some teaching assistantship, but 85% of work time is devoted to thesis work. With 16 research groups and about 50 PhD students, and with members from over 30 nationalities, the Department of Ecology and Evolution is a diverse and dynamic academic environment. It shares the campus and multiple collaborations with several other departments, including Computational Biology, Fundamental Microbiology and Integrative Genomics. Lausanne is a medium-sized city on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by a wine growing region recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and within one hour of the Alps. It offers a great variety of cultural, recreational and outdoor opportunities. Expected starting date ideally between June and September 2024. The initial contract is for 1 year, renewable for a maximum of 4 years in total.� Annual gross salary starting at CHF 47,699.- per year plus CHF 9,100 supplement for teaching assistantship. With 16 research groups and about 50 PhD students, and with members from over 30 nationalities, the Department of Ecology and Evolution is a diverse and dynamic academic environment. It shares the campus and multiple collaborations with several other departments, including Computational Biology, Fundamental Microbiology and Integrative Genomics. Lausanne is a medium-sized city on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by a wine growing region recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and within one hour of the Alps. It offers a great variety of cultural, recreational and outdoor opportunities. For further information about the position please contact Tadeusz Kawecki . Application documents must be submitted online through the University of Lausanne recruitment platform, which also contains the legally binding description of the job: https://bit.ly/3VKhKCU (sorry, the platform is a bit complicated). Applications should include: - a cover letter detailing your research interests, experience and motivation for applying - CV - a summary of your master project (and other relevant research projects) - a copy of your Masters diploma/certificate (if you haven't yet finished your Masters indicate the expected date) - the names and contact details of 2-3 referees. Deadline: May 10 UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. www.unil.ch/egalite UNIL supports early career researchers. www.unil.ch/graduatecampus Tadeusz Kawecki (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Graduate Student Opportunity Environmental DNA Metabarcoding for Assessing Cave Biodiversity A graduate student opportunity (MS) is available through the Department of Biology (https://www.tntech.edu/cas/biology/) at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee; the starting date is flexible (Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 preferred). This study will use a combination of traditional and molecular-based survey methods to investigate the effect of bat activity on animal biodiversity and ecosystem function. This study will utilize eDNA metabarcoding, a non-destructive and efficient tool for biodiversity assessment, as well as traditional, morphology-based sampling techniques. Applicants should have a BS in biology or a related field and have an interest in both molecular tools and fieldwork. For more information, please contact Dr. Carla Hurt (churt@tntech.edu). We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a degree in biology or closely related field and a strong academic record. A GPA of at least 3.5 is required. The successful candidate should demonstrate an interest in conservation and molecular genetics. The student will need to possess an aptitude for data analysis and careful research in a molecular genetics laboratory as well as an ability to conduct field work. Previous experience working in a molecular laboratory is preferred but exceptional applicants without experience will be considered. Financial support (stipend and full tuition waiver) will be provided through a teaching and research assistantships and will be renewable annually contingent upon satisfactory performance. Interested students are encouraged to e-mail me (churt@tntech.edu). Please include a short description of your academic background, research interests, and your CV. Screening of applicants will begin immediately. This position is open until filled. Carla Hurt, Ph.D. Professor of Biology Tennessee Tech University P.O. Box 5063 Cookeville, TN 38505 931-372-3143 churt@tntech.edu "Hurt, Carla" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear all, Our EMBO | EMBL Symposium 'Reconstructing the human past: using ancient and modern genomics' is open for registrations. It is a multi-disciplinary meeting on studies of the human past using archaeogenomic methods to reconstruct the landscape of human genetic variation over time. Submit your abstract now and join us in September 2024! Important information: 'Reconstructing the human past: using ancient and modern genomics' Dates 17 - 20 September 2024, EMBL Heidelberg and Virtual Abstract submission deadline: 18 June 2024 On-site registration deadline: 6 August 2024 Virtual registration deadline: 10 September 2024 About the symposium The available dataset of genome-wide data from present-day and archaic humans has risen exponentially since the first EMBO 'Reconstructing the human past' meeting in 2019. This has drastically enhanced our ability to carry out further large-scale studies on both global and local scales across deeply sampled time transects, making it now possible to ask and answer questions that were simply impossible to address before, in addition to motivating the development of new analytical methods. Critically, with new frontiers in data generation and analyses, questions on ethical practices in paleogenomics need to be considered. Furthermore, the reconstruction of ancient pathogen genomes and metagenomic analysis of the oral and gut microbiomes provides us with molecular fossils to study microbial evolution through time. The potential of ancient DNA data to reconstruct genomic variation of human-associated animals and plants to understand the process of domestication and their evolutionary trajectory is equally promising to such studies in humans. This meeting will involve scientists from population genetics, bioinformatics, microbiology, anthropology, archaeology and history and will strengthen future interactions in this young research field that is already changing the way we think about our past and will shape how we study genetic variation in the future. Keynote speaker We are pleased to announce that Nobel Laureate Svante Pääbo from Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Germany) will be the keynote speaker at 'Reconstructing the human past: using ancient and modern genomics'. Organisers Scientific organisers Johannes Krause (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany), Ida Moltke (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Maanasa Raghavan (University of Chicago, USA), and Pontus Skoglund (The Francis Crick Institute, UK) have put together an excellent programme and are ready to welcome you in September! Session topics · Our closest living and extinct relatives · Detecting patterns of selection · Reconstructing the genetic history of human populations · Ethical considerations and research practices in paleogenomics · Integrating genetic and historical evidence · Evolution of human pathogens, microbiome, and health · New methods and avenues for ancient genomic data analysis Find out more and submit your abstract via EMBL Events website: https://www.embl.org/about/info/course-and-conference-office/events/ees24-09/ Thank you! Kind regards, Mayra Sanchez Marketing Trainee mayra.sanchez@embl.org (+49) 6221 3878 109 Advanced Training Centre | A0702 European Molecular Biology Laboratory Course and Conference Office Meyerhofstr. 1 D-69117 Heidelberg Germany Visit www.embl.org/events for a list of all EMBL events and subscribe to our newsletter (http://www.embl.org/events/newsletter/signup). Mayra Gabriela Sanchez Ponce (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear colleagues, We are excited to announce a symposium during the joint Evolution conference in Montreal, scheduled for July 26-30, 2024. The theme of the symposium is "The interplay between dispersal, plasticity, and adaptation in coping with changing environments". You can find more details about the symposium below and information about the conference and abstract submission process here. We hope you will consider joining us! Title: The interplay between dispersal, plasticity, and adaptation in coping with changing environments Organizers: In�s Fragata: irfragata@gmail.com. cE3c - Faculdade de Ci�ncias da Universidade de Lisboa (PT) Elvira Lafuente: elafuentemaz@gmail.com. Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci�ncia (PT) Abstract: In response to environmental changes organisms can move, adapt, or adjust. These three strategies have been extensively studied across various species, providing a solid basis to our understanding of the separate contribution of dispersal, adaptation, and plasticity to the maintenance of biodiversity. However, the possible synergies between them and how prevalent they are in the response to stressful environments remains largely unexplored. This symposium aims to bring together researchers working on the interplay between dispersal, adaptation, and plasticity to bridge connections and synergies between these different strategies (e.g. evolution of dispersal or plasticity, dispersal or evolution via plasticity) and build a framework that integrates the contribution of all three. Ultimately, exploring the interconnections between these three strategies can help us to better understand how natural populations cope with changing environments. Relevance: Studying the response of natural populations to changing environments is of great importance in the face of unprecedented global challenges. Genetic variation, phenotypic plasticity, and dispersal all play important roles in allowing populations to cope with those challenges. While these strategies are frequently studied in isolation, they are intricately connected and their prevalence and relevance in nature often relies on those interconnections. This timely symposium will bring together researchers that are working at the interface between the three strategies. By doing so, we can address existing discrepancies and foster new synergies between them. Ultimately, this symposium aims to build a framework that integrates knowledge from these three different fields and their interactions to provide a more comprehensive and realistic view of how natural populations cope with environmental changes. Warm regards, In�s Fragata and Elvira Lafuente In�s Fragata (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)