Call for a PhD Position in Evolutionary Biology at Doñana Biological
Station, CSIC <https://www.ebd.csic.es/en>, Seville, Spain

Project: Timing of amphibian development: Processes, outcomes and links
to ecology and evolution(TADPOLE)

- 4-year fully funded contract for a doctoral candidate to obtain a PhD
  studying the evolution of developmental plasticity in spadefoot toads,
  combining fieldwork, experimental work with tadpoles, ecophysiology,
  and functional genomics.
- Supervised by Dr. Ivan Gomez-Mestre, and joining the Ecology,
  Evolution and Development Group <https://www.eco-evo-devo.com/>.
- The contract has associated funding to cover short term stays at
  international R&D centers to train in further developing specific
  skills, taking advantage of a wide network of international
  collaborators.
- Tuition fees for doctoral studies at a Spanish University will also
  be covered.

Project description A major challenge in evolutionary biology is to
understand how environmentally-induced changes in the regulation of
development can evolve under selection into constitutive differences
in adaptive traits. We will use the evolution of developmentally
plasticity in spadefoot toads as a study system to understand
the link between phenotypic plasticity and adaptive divergence
across populations.  This PhD project will focus specifically on the
developmental plasticity of amphibian larvae in response to two main
environmental factors: predation risk and risk of pond drying. It will
be a highly integrative project, addressing fundamental aspects of
phenotypic plasticity, such as adaptation to multiple environmental
drivers, trade-offs underlying antagonistic responses, and plasticity
costs. The project contemplates sampling spadefoot toad populations
in different regions of Spain, including Doñana National Park, and
experimentally modifying environmental conditions over the course of
development. Using ecophysiological approaches and functional genomics,
we will seek to understand the mechanisms allowing amphibian larvae to
integrate environmental inputs and generating appropriate phenotypic
responses, comparing populations that have diverged in their degree
of responsiveness.

Requisites - Master's degree in Biology (MSc) - High motivation to
pursue a career in evolutionary biology - Advanced English speaking
and writing skills - Experience in bioinformatic/genomic analyses will
be valued

When to apply Pre-selection of candidates is starting immediately, with
position remaining open until filled. Official selection process likely
to take place in October-November 2025, but candidates are strongly
advised to submit expressions of interest by October 5th.

Interested applicants should send the following documents to
igmestre@ebd.csic.es: - CV, indicating two referral contacts (name and
email address).  - A motivation letter stating your interest in pursuing
a scientific
  career and your interest and adequacy for this project in particular.
  Please refrain from using LLM-generated text, as we value genuine
  scientific motivation.

Ivan <igmestre@ebd.csic.es>

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