********************GradStudentPositions******************** Graduate Position: U.Galway_PhDmacroevolutionBiogeography We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to pursue a PhD in our Biodiversity and Macroevolution Lab at the University of Galway. The idea is that, aligning the candidate?s interests and our expertise, we will together prepare a competitive application for a postgraduate scholarship from The Irish Research Council (currently named Research Ireland). ***About the group In the recently established Biodiversity and Macroevolution group (https://herrera-alsina.tilda.ws/) we deal with questions at large temporal and spatial scales. We mostly focus on the following themes: 1) Change in species distributions over time, 2) Evolutionary/ecological responses to change, 3) Ecological constraints to species diversification, 4) Biogeographic patterns, and 5) Trait evolution. A key element of the group is that we develop tools (i.e., R packages) using both likelihood methods and individual-based simulations to answer our questions. We then apply such methods to different taxa, ranging from archaea to vertebrates and plants. We also operate in the opposite direction: inspiration for projects comes from observing patterns in nature so that sometimes a research question is what calls for developing a new model. Our extensive international network enables the members of our lab to work together with other groups all over the world. The strategic placement of our group in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences allows opportunity to collaborate with highly-trained people in maths and machine learning to develop state of the art models of evolutionary diversification. ***Our view on PhD supervision I believe that me, as supervisor, should monitor three key aspects of a PhD student. First, the general wellbeing of the student. This includes encouraging them to have a healthy work-life balance. Second, the PhD student should learn. It is fundamental to use the best mentoring strategy to make sure the student develops the appropriate analytical and practical skills. Third, the PhD student should also produce tangible outputs. A PhD student should be guided to produce scientific papers, patents, or software that reflect their research and enable them to be competitive in the academic world. ***About the University The University of Galway is now ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide and the top 100 universities in Europe. Ranked Ireland's #1 university for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education World Rankings (THE). Galway is one of those small cities which offers a wide range of cultural and sporting activities with a high standard of quality of life. **About you You are an enthusiastic person with a background in environmental or natural sciences, biology, or computer science. Your interests in science align with the themes of the group (there is always room for doing something different of course). You are happy to have independence when doing research but are also happy seeking guidance when needed. You are passionate about research and motivated to share your results with others. You are also experienced or willing to learn programming in R, Python and/or C++. According to the rules of the funding body, you also need to be national of a European Union member state (including the Republic of Ireland) OR Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom or Ukraine. ***What now? Together with the preferred candidate, we will put together a strong and competitive application for Research Ireland in the September 2026 call. Once the funding is successful, the candidate will start sometime in 2027. Please email me (leonel.herrera-alsina@universityofgalway.ie) the following documents: 1) One-page cover letter outlining research interests, and research experience, 2) One-page motivation letter, and 3) academic CV. Leonel H. Alsina Assistant professor/Lecturer in Bioinformatics, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences University of Galway https://herrera-alsina.tilda.ws/ "Herrera-Alsina, Leonel" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Jobs******************** Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university. *Walter and Rosalie Goldberg Distinguished Professorship in Tropical Ecology* *Position Description and Qualifications* FIU is seeking applicants for the Walter and Rosalie Goldberg Distinguished Professorship in Tropical Ecology. The successful candidate will have a record of academic distinction working on the sustainability, resilience, conservation, or anthropogenic disruption of terrestrial, freshwater or marine tropical systems. Candidates for this tenured/tenure track position must have attained the rank of Associate or Full Professor by the time of applying. The Distinguished Professor is expected to have a national or international public profile and to engage in broad and highly visible public science communication and/or engagement activities in addition to their research, teaching and service duties. The successful candidate will join a large and productive faculty of scientists whose work focuses on tropical ecology supported by FIU's Institute of Environment, and numerous research programs and facilities including the International Center for Tropical Botany, Aquarius Reef Base , the National Science Foundation-funded Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program , Coastal Conservation and Restoration Laboratory , Water -OMICS facility, and the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory for Coastal Conservation and Restoration. FIU is close to many subtropical ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, hardwood hammocks, pine forests, wetlands, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, coral reefs and the coastal ocean. Faculty are also conducting research in tropical ecosystems worldwide. The Goldberg professor's departmental tenure home in the College of Arts, Sciences and Education will be determined by the qualifications and research profile of the applicant. *Application Details* Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID *536963* at careers.fiu.edu and attach a (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research, (4) statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy, and (5) statement outlining their public science communication achievements and strategic plan for their future research and public outreach at FIU. Candidates will be requested to provide names and contact information for at least three (3) references who will be contacted as determined by the search committee. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please direct inquiries about this search to the chair of the search committee, Dr. James Fourqurean ( jim.fourqurean@fiu.edu). *Review Date* Review of candidates will begin April 12, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The expected start date is August 13, 2026. *Applicants are encouraged to review Florida International Universityâ euro s immigration and visa requirements, if applicable, prior to applying: * *FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights at 305.348.2785 or email ocr@fiu.edu . * -- Heather Bracken-Grissom, PhD Assistant Director of the Coastlines and Oceans Division Associate Professor, Institute of Environment & Dept. of Biological Sciences Past North American Governor, The Crustacean Society Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus 3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-361 North Miami, Florida 33181, USA 305 919-4190 (Phone) 305 919-5838 (lab) *CRUSTOMICS: Crustacean Genomics and Systematics Lab* *http://www.brackengrissomlab.com/ * heather.brackengrissom@fiu.edu www.fiu.edu/~marine (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Jobs******************** Dear colleagues, The University of Mayotte (France) invites applications for a Lecturer position (Ma�tre de conf�rences, CNU sections 67/68) in Ecology of lagoon ecosystems. The successful candidate will develop research on population and community ecology of lagoon ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves), with a particular focus on understanding the effects of anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Approaches may include functional ecology, biodiversity assessment, population dynamics, ecological modelling, bioindication, participatory science, or environmental monitoring. The position is affiliated with the MARBEC research unit (UMR 9190, Montpellier/S�te) and offers strong opportunities for collaboration within a rapidly developing research environment focused on marine socio-ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean. The position benefits from access to field and laboratory facilities (scientific diving, molecular biology, remote sensing, experimental platforms) and from close interactions with local stakeholders (e.g. Mayotte Marine Natural Park). Teaching duties will be carried out in the Life Sciences licence, including ecology, biodiversity, and quantitative methods. The candidate is expected to be involved in teaching, student supervision, and academic life, within a young and dynamic department. Mayotte hosts one of the largest enclosed lagoon systems in the world, providing exceptional opportunities for research on tropical marine ecosystems under strong anthropogenic pressure. Applicants must hold (or obtain) a national qualification for Lecturer positions (CNU sections 67 or 68). Applications must be submitted through the official national platform Odyss�e: https://odyssee.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/ Deadline for application: April 3, 2026 Contacts: chiraz.trabelsi@univ-mayotte.fr patricia.cucchi@umontpellier.fr Best regards, CORSE Emmanuel Maitre de conf�rences Universit� de Mayotte D�partement Sciences & Technologies Contact: 0633349243 Emmanuel CORSE (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** The Liberles Group is looking for a new postdoctoral scientist to join us, in the areas of computational/mathematical molecular evolution and comparative genomics. We are particularly interested in students with a joint background in mathematics (particularly probability theory and stochastic processes) and biology (particularly evolution and genetics). Those trained in math should have some formal training in biology and those trained in biology should have demonstrable quantitative expertise. We are also open to students from physics and other quantitative backgrounds who are grounded in biology. Ongoing research in the group is in areas including models for duplicate gene retention in genomes, in evolutionary systems biology for the context-dependent evolution of genes, and for protein evolution. The exact research topic is open to discussion. The Liberles Group is based at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, USA. A strong preference is for a candidate who is willing to relocate to Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers a vibrant academic community, noted culinary and cultural opportunities, and a lower cost of living than other major northeastern cities. An ideal start date for the position would be January, 2027, but that is subject to negotiation. Candidates still finishing a Ph.D. with an expected completion in the next year are encouraged to apply. Funding will be guaranteed for a year and extension is possible by mutual agreement and available funding. Please send your CV, a cover letter describing your interest, and a reprint (or preprint) from your prior work that is most related to theoretical or computational molecular evolution/ comparative or population genomics or phylogenetics (please only send one paper). Apply by email to daliberles@temple.edu. David A Liberles (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Want your computations to matter before the next pandemic hits ? Build the next-generation methods that can shape public-health decisions in the first weeks of an outbreak when the data are heterogeneous in nature and quality, noisy, biased, incomplete... and everything depends on getting it right! We are recruiting a high-potential postdoc to join the PReViX project - Pandemic Prepared- ness for Respiratory Virus X -, a nationally funded flagship program ( euro 1.4M) to help France respond optimally to future respiratory virus threats. Please find more details in the following link: https://www.normalesup.org/~sofonea/PReViX_Post-doc_JobOffer_2603.pdf Dr Mircea T. Sofonea, University of Montpellier & University Hospital of Nîmes (France) "Mircea T. SOFONEA" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Postdoctoral Fellow in Genomics and Comparative Genomics Environnement de travail (Work environment): The successful candidate will join a dynamic research group working on the ecology and evolution of host'parasite'environment interactions in non-model organisms, particularly snail vectors and its trematode parasites. She/He will conduct genomic analyses aimed at understanding host'parasite coevolution and the genetic architecture of resistance in the invasive snail Pseudosuccinea columella to the zoonotic parasite Fasciola hepatica. This thematic line is embedded within the regional scientific project InvaSnail financed by the ExposUM initiative from the Montpellier. The position is based in Montpellier, a vibrant scientific hub in Southern France internationally recognized for excellence in ecology and evolutionary biology. The IHPE laboratory provides a collaborative research environment with access to high-performance computing facilities, sequencing platforms, and strong interdisciplinary interactions across research institutions in the Montpellier area. University Main mission: Develop and implement strategies for whole-genome sequencing of non-model species Generate high-quality de novo genome assemblies using short- and long-read sequencing technologies Perform genome annotation and structural/functional characterization Conduct comparative genomic analyses across related species or populations Design and implement genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify loci associated with phenotypic or adaptive traits Integrate genomic, phenotypic, and environmental datasets Contribute to the development of reproducible bioinformatics pipelines Activités (Activities): Lead the genomic component of the research project High-molecular-weight DNA extraction optimization Long-read genome assembly (PacBio HiFi / ONT) Genome polishing and quality assessment (BUSCO, QUAST) Structural and functional annotation Variant discovery (SNPs, indels, SVs) Population genomic analyses (FST, demographic inference) Mixed-model GWAS accounting for structure Workflow development (Snakemake/Nextflow) HPC-based pipeline implementation Publish results in peer-reviewed journals Present findings at international conferences Collaborate with experimental and computational team members Contribute to project development Mentor graduate students when appropriate Researcher profile : The postdoctoral researcher will conduct genome sequencing, high-quality genome assembly, comparative genomics analyses, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genomic regions involved in resistance. A PhD in genomics, evolutionary or computational biology, or a related field with strong experience in GWAS are required. Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Python, R, Bash), experience with bioinformatics tools for assembly, variant calling, and comparative analyses, experience handling and processing large-scale genomic datasets are aso required. Strong publication record relative to career stage, excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a must. Autonomy, strong work ethic and team-playing, strong time-management skills and scientific creativity are expected, as well as the ability to structure and develop research directions Contract: Starting Date: 1 June 2026; Duration : 2 years-contract (Full-time) How to Apply: Candidates must send a CV (up to 3 pages), a cover letter containing a clear explanation of why the advertised postdoctoral position aligns with their interests and professional trajectory, an honest assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses, and what they hope to gain from this position and how it will support their long-term development as a scientist, a PDF of a first-author publication (published or in press), and 3 references to annia.alba-menendez@umontpellier.fr before April 20th, 2026 Lien du site internet de la structure (Website Link) : IHPE « Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements » -- Annia ALBA MENENDEZ, PhD Researcher at CNRS Lab IHPE (UMR 5244), Montpellier University Place Eugène Bataillon, Bât 24 - CC 080 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5 MONTPELLIER, FRANCE Annia Alba Menendez (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Postdoctoral position: University of Copenhagen - Conservation Genomics & Experimental Evolution The Hologenomics Section, Globe Institute, University at Copenhagen, is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join our team. This position is part of the research project “Back from the Brink: experimental de-extinction in a model-organism to restore lost diversity”. The project explores the potential of gene editing technologies for conservation using an experimental setting, the risks and consequences for the management of genetically vulnerable populations. Duration: one year. About the position Gene editing has emerged as a promising—yet still largely unexplored—and in some cases a last‑resort tool to restore genetic diversity in populations on the brink of extinction. This potential however raises a fundamental question: can targeted genetic interventions help restore resilience in populations pushed beyond their natural adaptive limits, and if so, under what ecological conditions, practical constraints and risks? This project addresses this question empirically. It will experimentally push populations of Caenorhabditis elegans to the brink of extinction, edit genes and restore lost diversity in genetically impoverished populations. The main goal of this project is to benchmark the use of gene editing technologies for conservation. The ultimate aim is to assess whether gene editing can offer a viable complementary tool in conservation strategies. Your job As a postdoctoral researcher, you'll work at the cutting edge of gene editing technologies, experimental evolution and conservation, maintaining, monitoring and analyzing highly replicated C. elegans populations. Responsibilities include maintaining several wild and lab‑adapted strains and conducting bottleneck experiments, identifying and implementing genomic markers for targeted editing, as well as characterizing shifts in population genetic diversity over time. The work involves hands-on laboratory tasks, maintenance of nematode lines, large‑scale DNA extractions, and CRISPR-based genome editing combined with data analysis. In addition to producing high‑resolution experimental datasets, you’ll apply computational and statistical approaches to measure genomic diversity, mutation load and selection using pooled datasets. You will contribute to benchmarking gene editing technologies for conservation. Beyond insights from experimental evolution, your work will advance theory and applied methods that connect gene editing outcomes with population‑level evolutionary processes, opening new perspectives on the role of genetic interventions in restoring lost diversity and rebuilding resilience in collapsing populations. Profile We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with the following competencies and experience: 1. Demonstrated experience in experimental evolution, including the design, execution, and maintenance of replicated populations. Comfortable operating large numbers of parallel experimental replicates 2. Demonstrated expertise in model‑organism husbandry, preferably with C. elegans, encompassing sterile workflows, strain maintenance, including accurate population synchronization, ability to identify and troubleshoot unexpected problems, and refine protocols while preserving experimental validity 3. Practical experience with molecular biology workflows, including high‑quality DNA extraction, PCR, and genotyping 4. A PhD in evolutionary biology, genetics, molecular biology, conservation genomics, or a related field 5. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary research teams 6. Excellent written and spoken English Desirable, but not mandatory skills: 1. Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, including guide design, delivery methods, and screening of edited lines 2. Experience applying population genetics principles to real datasets, linking allele‑frequency dynamics, selection regimes, drift, mutation, and demographic bottlenecks to understand genomic erosion and recovery potential in declining populations 3. Ability to work confidently on the command line, manage sequencing data, and run standard genomic analysis tools 4. Competence in computational and statistical analyses using R or Python, especially for assessing genetic diversity, mutation load, and evolutionary change through time Place of employment You will be part of the Hologenomics Section at the Globe Institute. The Hologenomics section investigates how organisms and their associated microbiomes evolve, interact, and respond to environmental change. Our research combines genomics, metagenomics, ecology, and functional analyses to understand biodiversity from a truly integrative perspective. We work across temporal and biological scales, from contemporary ecosystems to ancient DNA, to uncover how genetic diversity, ecological pressures, and microbial associations shape evolutionary trajectories. You will be part of a group that integrates (paleo)genomics, evolutionary modelling, and quantitative approaches to investigate biodiversity loss from a genomic perspective, spanning endangered species, museum genomes, and simulations of the evolutionary processes driving how biodiversity arises, persists and is lost. Our team brings together evolutionary biologists, molecular ecologists, computational scientists, and microbiologists in an inclusive research environment that values diversity, creativity, inclusivity, intellectual openness and academic freedom. You can read more on the Globe Institute at https://globe.ku.dk We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences who share our commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through innovative research. Salary and terms of employment The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 12 months. The start date is 15 June 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. Further information For further information please contact the project leader Bárbara Parreira, barbara.parreira@sund.ku.dk or the leader of the Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics Group Hernán Morales, hernanm@sund.ku.dk. If you are an international applicant, you can read more about living and working in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen website: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility). Application procedure Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format: 1. Motivation letter of application (max. one page). 2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position. 3. A certified/signed copy of i) PhD certificate and ii) Master of Science certificate. 4. List of publications. 5. List three references Please apply for the position no later than Monday April 6th 2026, 23:59 GMT +2 at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty?show=158399 Barbara Parreira (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Hello EVOLDIR members Last chance - This seminar offers essential skills for processing and analyzing high-throughput sequencing data effectively. RNA-seq: From FASTQ to Counts is a 2-day seminar livestreaming March 23 and 25 with Estefania Mancini (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute). RNA sequencing provides critical insights into gene expression dynamics, essential for understanding evolutionary processes like adaptation, speciation, and population-level genetic variation. Participants will learn to retrieve public FASTQ data, run community-standard nf-core Nextflow pipelines to generate read count matrices, and interpret quality control reports, which are directly applicable to comparative genomics or identifying genetic markers of environmental adaptation in their own evolutionary research. By mastering these workflows, researchers can ensure their RNA-seq analyses are reproducible and publication-ready, providing a solid foundation for drawing accurate conclusions about gene regulation and its role in evolutionary biology. Sign up today (https://instats.org/seminar/rna-seq-from-fastq-to-counts) to join before enrollment closes, and please pass this to colleagues and students who may be interested! Best wishes Michael Zyphur Professor and Director Instats | instats.org mzyphur@instats.org (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Hi folks!   I'm re-posting about three SLiM workshops this summer, since there are still a few seats available for them.    As background: SLiM is a software package for creating evolutionary models/simulations that are individual-based and genetically explicit. It is scriptable, flexible, fast, free, open-source, and includes an interactive graphical modeling environment.   You can read more about it on its home page (https://messerlab.org/slim/). The workshops currently scheduled: - Paris, France, May 18-22, 2026, at the Musee de l'Homme near the Eiffel Tower - Tartu, Estonia, June 15-19, at the University of Tartu - Reykjavik, Iceland, August 17-21, at the University of Iceland The Paris workshop is full, but I can add you to a waitlist.   The Tartu and Reykjavik workshops still have seats free, so if you want to be sure to get into a workshop, I would advise going for one of those.   They will probably be full soon too, so don't delay too much.   :-> More details are at: https://groups.google.com/g/slim-announce/c/XpgfrF98M-4. Cheers, -B. Benjamin C. Haller Messer Lab Cornell University (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** We are pleased to announce our upcoming Spring School in Bioinformatics (9th edition), which will take place online from 8-12 June. Course website: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course68/ ) This five-day course will introduce participants to the fundamentals of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis, combining conceptual lectures with extensive hands-on practical sessions. Participants will learn how to assess sequencing quality, assemble and annotate genomes, perform RNA-seq and differential gene expression analyses, and explore phylogenomics using NGS data. While the course will primarily focus on Illumina data, it will also cover the opportunities and requirements of long-read technologies such as Nanopore and PacBio. Throughout the week, participants will also gain practical experience with the Linux command line, as well as with Docker and software containers, which are widely used in bioinformatics to ensure reproducible analyses. The course is designed for researchers with a biological background who would like to gain practical experience in handling and analysing genomic and transcriptomic data. By the end of the training, participants will have a solid understanding of the strengths and limitations of NGS approaches and the tools commonly used in modern bioinformatics workflows. For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course68/ ) 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/ ) ********************Conferences******************** The Royal Entomological Society is holding a special interest group meeting on 'Insect Infection, Immunity and Microbionts' in Bath, UK on 16-17 April 2026. Keynote speakers are: Ann Tate; Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, USA Stuart Reynolds; Emeritus Professor of Biology, University of Bath Abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations are welcome from all research areas across the broad themes of infection, immunity, microbiomes and symbiosis. For this meeting we are happy to invite contributions from those who consider these topics within non-insect invertebrates, provided the research is relevant to insect systems. Please follow the link for more details and to submit an abstract: https://www.royensoc.co.uk/event/infection-immunity-microbionts-special-interest-group-sig/ Abstract submission deadline is 23 March 2026. Ailsa McLean (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** ITALIAN SOCIETY FOR EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY Congress 6-10 September 2026, Firenze, Italy REGISTRATION OPEN Dear friends and colleagues, Registration is now open for the *SIBE Evoluzione 2026 Congress*, which will take place in *Firenze from 6 to 10 September*. The scientific program will be organized around the following symposia: Symposium 1 "Host-microbiome interactions" Symposium 2 "Evolutionary roots of behavioural diversity" Symposium 3 "Phylogeography and Conservation Genomics: understanding evolutionary history to sustain species resilience" Symposium 4 "Human evolution" Symposium 5 "The evolution of ecological diversification: mechanisms, interactions, and outcomes" Symposium 6 "Evolutionary biology without borders" Each symposium will open with a plenary lecture by an international invited speaker, including *Stephen Palumbi, Mihai Netea, David Caramelli, Martin Giurfa, Jacintha Ellers, Mirte Bosse, and Maurizio Mencuccini*. In addition to the scientific sessions, the congress will offer several events, including a *dedicated poster session*, a free *crash course* on wet-lab techniques in genomics, the meeting of the *Italian Group for Conservation Genetics and Genomics*, the original *outreach theatre event* "Botanica Queer", and a *social dinner at the Florence Botanical Garden*. The congress will take place across several venues in the city. All scientific sessions will be held in the Novoli district, at the University's Social Sciences Campus, while social events and the poster session will take place in the historic city centre. Participants may therefore choose to stay either in the city centre or in Novoli, two areas conveniently connected by the tram line. Please note that the last tram runs at around 00:30; after this time, public transportation options become more limited. September is a high season for tourism in Florence, and other conferences are scheduled in the Novoli area during the same period. We therefore strongly recommend booking accommodation well in advance. For further details about Evoluzione 2026, please visit the website: www.sibe-iseb.it/firenze2026 We look forward to welcoming many of you to Firenze, The Organizing and Scientific Committee Alessio Iannucci Tenure Track Researcher (RTT) Department of Biology University of Florence Via Madonna del Piano 6, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy email:alessio.iannucci@unifi.it Tel. +390554574741 "alessio.iannucci@unifi.it" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)