PhD OPPORTUNITY:
The laboratory of genetics and ecophysiology in marine animals (
https://www.facebook.com/Gemma.BCA/) located at the Department of
Comparative
Biomedicine - University of Padua (Italy) - is offering one PhD position to
work in the context of mitigation strategies to counteract the impacts of
climate change in bivalve molluscs.

Research Topic Title:
Understanding consequences and testing mitigation strategies in marine
species subject to climate change and pollution.

Description of Research Topic:
Pollution and anthropogenic CO2 emissions are triggering alterations on
ecosystems. In summer 2019, a heatwave affected ~95% of the Mediterranean
basin and in particular the North Adriatic Sea, an area already compromised
by chemical pollution where several aquaculture facilities are held.
According to this multiple stressors scenario, filter-feeding and sedentary
organisms like bivalves are (and will be in the near future) subjected to
severe pressures impacting population stocks, resulting in biodiversity
loss and socio-economic impacts on aquaculture. In this context, the case
of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum is emblematic: in recent years
this species experienced several mortality events with a consequent
dramatic decrease of stock availability due to the persistence of harsh
stressful environmental conditions. The PhD project will aim to provide
novel strategies to ameliorate Manila clam performance under multiple
stressful conditions, using innovative tools such as priming and microbiota
manipulation, with the final aim to explore biodiversity conservation and
sustainable aquaculture management strategies. In addition, effects of
several emerging contaminants will be assessed in bivalve species (e.g.
clams, mussels, oysters) through multidisciplinary approaches that will be
then elaborated within a weight of evidence approach able to summarize
different data into a hazard index. Overall, the PhD project will provide
new data on actions/interactions of biological processes involved in
responsiveness and adaptation to environmental changes.

Working environment:
The research fellow will join the research group at the Department of
Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science at the University of Padova (BCA)
and the marine station in Chioggia. The BCA Department has been awarded
as Department of Excellence in aquatic animal research, offering
a privileged environment to researchers with an excellent community in
Marine Science in one of the best (and oldest) universities in Italy. The
team is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and friendly
working environment, as well as promoting career development. Padua is
a vibrant city and a major cultural and economic centre in north-eastern
Italy.

Application procedure:
Interested candidates should submit a single pdf with a motivation letter,
a short description of current and past research projects and their CV
to <massimo.milan@unipd.it>. Recommendation letters are appreciated but
not crucial at this stage.

Contact person: Massimo Milan (massimo.milan@unipd.it)

Luca Peruzza <luca.peruzza@unipd.it>

(to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to
golding@mcmaster.ca)