********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD fellowship in Island biogeography of mutualistic networks in the Anthropocene at GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark We are offering 1 PhD fellowship in island biogeography of mutualistic networks in the Anthropocene commencing 1 January 2021. Our group and research The successful candidate will be part of the Dalsgaard Group (https://globe.ku.dk/research/cmec/dalsgaard-group/) within the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) at the GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen. CMEC is a center of excellence with a cross-disciplinary research program. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation and future of life and biological diversity on Earth. The 40+ researchers at CMEC currently represent 14 different nationalities and the working language is English. The center juxtaposes faculty staff scientists from the fields of macroecology, historical biogeography, oceanography, evolutionary biology, community ecology, population biology, climate change research, conservation biology and environmental economics. Project description This project is novel in integrating island biogeography theory and theories on how climate and anthropogenic pressures influence mutualistic plant-pollinator and seed-disperser interactions. The project combines field work data collected in the Caribbean with network analysis and biogeographical modelling. The PhD student will work closely together with a postdoc to jointly lead data collection across numerous islands in the Caribbean. The PhD student should be prepared to collect data for approximately 4-5 months in both 2020 and 2021, and s/he is expected to first-author several papers in international peer-reviewed journals. In addition to the PhD-student, we will hire a postdoc and a cohort of MSc students will participate in the project. All project partners will gather once a year to run workshops with the aim of publishing review and synthesis papers. The project is funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark. Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Bo Dalsgaard, Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, GLOBE Institute, bo.dalsgaard@sund.ku.dk, Direct Phone: +45 42324553. Co-supervisors and project partners are Senior Lecturer Christopher Kaiser-Bunbury and Research Fellow Benno I Simmons (University of Exeter, UK) and Professor Mauro Galetti (University of Miami, USA). Start: 1 January 2021 Duration: 3 years as a PhD Fellow Apply here: https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=152204 Bo Dalsgaard ********************GradStudentPositions******************** UArizona.BajaGeoGenomics.AnimalAndPlant A funded PhD Graduate assistantship is available to study Genomics in Baja California using whole genome sequencing and population genomic analyses of rodent, lizard, and plant species, conducted at the University of Arizona and the Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. Applications will be accepted until filled. The project is part of an NSF-funded multidisciplinary GeoGenomics investigation that combines geologic and genomic data to test multiple non-mutually exclusive hypotheses in Baja California peninsula (Mexico). The genomic data will be used to test the effects of marine seaways, glacial refugia, and rainfall timing on the biological diversification through signatures on the genomes of desert reptiles, mammals, and plants. The student will work as part of the larger Baja GeoGenomics consortium composed by a team of geologists and biologists from University of Oregon, Arizona State University, California State University, and the University of Arizona. The position will include field work opportunities https://bajageogenomics.org/ https://bajageogenomics.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/LayAbstractFRES.pdf Eagerness to work in a multidisciplinary setting and team is essential. Strong prior knowledge in bioinformatics is a plus for this position, but candidates will be considered with different backgrounds having demonstrated predisposition to learn these skills. The research project will generate de-novo whole genome sequence, and conduct population genomic analyses to identify genetic variants from low-coverage genome sequence, parametrize Approximate Bayesian Computation models of neutral divergence for multiple species constrained by the geologic evidence, perform landscape genomic analyzes to test concordance with niche modeling hypotheses of expansion-contraction from glacial refugia, correlate present-day ecological niches with spatial signals of natural selection both from genome sequencing and differential RNA-Seq expression, and develop novel bioinformatic approaches for simultaneously integrating geologic, genomic and ecological datasets. Apply through the University of Arizona Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program. Include a cover letter indicating your background is relevant to this project, your CV, and the names of 2 references. https://genetics.arizona.edu Copy the cover letter and CV also to: Ben Wilder (bwilder@email.arizona.edu) Desert Lab on Tumamoc Hill and Adrian Munguia-Vega (airdrian@email.arizona.edu) School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Selected students will work in collaboration with Dr. Melanie Culver's Conservation Genetics Lab in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment -- Melanie Culver Assistant Professor, Wildlife Conservation and Management Program Assistant Leader, AZ Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, USGS School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona 314N Environment and Natural Resources Bldg. 2 Tucson, AZ 85721 culver@ag.arizona.edu Office 520-626-3775 Lab 520-626-1636 Fax 520-621-8801 http://www.cals.arizona.edu/research/azfwru/melanie/ http://www.uawildcatresearch.org/index.htm http://www.coopunits.org/Arizona/People/Melanie_Culver/index.html "Culver, Melanie - (mculver)" ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Graduate position:Krakow_JagiellonianU.Evolutionary_Biology PhD position in Evolutonary Biology PhD student position is offered from October 2020 within the Polish National Science Centre grant Environment-dependent balancing selection in a gene involved in sexual conflict in Genomics and Experimental Evolution Group at Jagiellonian University, Institute of Environmental Sciences. The project The maintenance of genetic variability, enabling populations to adapt to novel environments, is one of the greatest puzzles in evolutionary biology. This is because ubiquitous directional selection should lead to depletion of genetic variation in selected traits. This is especially the case with sexually selected traits, in which directional selection is particularly strong. Yet, substantial genetic variance in these traits is maintained. A potent force proposed to maintain genetic variation is balancing selection which can take a form of a crossover genotype by environment interaction for fitness in heterogeneous environments. It causes selection to act in environment-dependent manner so that one allele is favored in one environment and the other at another one. We aim to investigate the maintenance of polymorphism in Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6Pgdh) ?a sexually selected gene associated with sexual conflict in the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini. 6Pgdh polymorphism (with two alleles, S and F) is associated with differences in male reproductive success. The S-bearers have advantage in male-male competition, but decrease fecundity of their partners. Previous studies suggest that 6Pgdh polymorphism is maintained by environment-dependent balancing selection, but the exact mechanisms driving this selection are unknown. PhD candidate will investigate ecological factors that determine persistence of the polymorphism. Scope of work PhD candidate will assess the level of 6Pgdh polymorphism in natural populations and determine environmental factors affecting 6Pgdh allele frequencies in the field. He/she will conduct experimental evolution and will be involved in phenotypic measurements in the lab that will enable direct test of the role of potential factors driving 6Pgdh frequencies. Real-time PCR with TaqMan probes will be used to genotype individuals. PhD candidate may also be involved in other molecular analyses conducted in frames of the project, including transcriptomics. Place and salary The Student will join a dynamic, cooperative research group at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland (www.eko.uj.edu.pl/en_GB). The Institute of Environmental Sciences is one of the most influential and best-recognized research institutions in the fields of Ecology and Evolution in Central Europe located in a beautiful medieval city with rich history and lively cultural life, well connected to other European cities. The PhD student will receive a tax-free scholarship from doctoral school (ca. 2500 PLN) and/or a tax-free research stipend from the National Science Centre grant (3000 PLN per month). Requirements The successful candidate will have a M.Sc. degree in biology or other relevant fields by the start of the studentship. We are looking for a student with good English, strong background in Evolutionary Biology and experience in molecular techniques as well as good skills in data analyses. Excellent communication and organizational skills are also required. Documents Please send a CV including contact details for two references and a cover letter to Agata Plesnar-Bielak (agata.plesnar@uj.edu.pl) by August 10. The selected candidate will be assisted with a formal application to the PhD program at Jagiellonian University (the exam will take place between 9th and 14th September 2020) For more information, please e-mail Agata Plesnar-Bielak. Agata Plesnar-Bielak ********************PostDocs******************** *18 month postdoc position: Phylogenomics & population genomics (6 month extension possible)* Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution (Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and University of South Bohemia, Czechia) has funding for a Junior Researcher (postdoc) in the fields of phylogenomics & population genomics. We are reopening a call for a postdoc position (a previously selected candidate could not join the lab due to covid situation in their home country). We are looking for an independent junior researcher with interest in evolutionary biology and strong background in bioinformatics and analyses of phylogenetic and population genetic data. Knowledge of Linux/unix and experience with scripting & programming languages (Python, R) and phylogenetic inference using WG data is necessary. Experience with population genomic and genome assembly and annotation pipelines is beneficial. A good publication record is important. The applicant should be able to coordinate a team of 2-3 students and have well-developed communication skills. *Job description:* This research position will include (mainly drylab) work on two grant funded projects: 1)Phylogenomics (and species diversity survey) of Dicyemida, an enigmatic group of parasites from cephalopods (60% job time allocation). 2)Population genomics of adaptation in parasites. The project studies interaction between host specificity, genomic differentiation, and adaptation in a freshwater parasite (Ligula intestinalis)(40% job time allocation). On the 1st project, the postdoc will be responsible for designing the research strategy (amplicon sequencing design for species diversity survey, selection of tools for extracting data from wg datasets) and for analyses of obtained data (transcriptome assemblies, amplicon assemblies, mining and filtering genes into matrices, phylogenetic reconstruction). On the 2nd project, the postdoc will provide assistance with analyses of population level NGS data (whole genome re-sequencing data, RADseq, SNP calling, demographic inference, analysis of selection, etc.). The postdoc will co-supervise one phd student and will be free to supervise undergrad students if desired (a valuable experience). There is an opportunity to take part in teaching, in field collecting trips, and in other popgen projects running in the laboratory (incl. publication output). *We offer:* We are a relatively young but quickly developing laboratory with interests in evolutionary and ecological interactions between organisms and their environment. We use genetic (increasingly more genomic) data to answer the questions (e.g. https://youtu.be/xvHSjEi0c44?t=7051). We have advanced computing resources available both in-house (> 300 nodes) and via a connection to the national grid (> 20,000 CPUs). The lab collaborates with institutions/labs abroad (e.g. University of Alabama [Kocot lab], University of Illinois [Catchen lab], University of Saskatchewan & Cornell [J.A.Andres]) and we co-organise the biennial Workshop on Population and Speciation Genomics ( http://evomics.org/2020-workshop-on-genomics-cesky-krumlov-czech-republic/). Biology Centre is a dynamic institution with a strong international community of junior researchers and an "HR Excellence in Research" awarded institution. It is located in the centre of a university campus. English is the working language at the institution. The city of Ceske Budejovice is a charming historical city, has great outdoors nearby, and it is located within easy reach of the capital, Prague, and several cities abroad (Vienna, Linz, Passau). Funding is guaranteed for 1 year, with extension for another year, based on performance. The salary is approx. 30% above the Czech average income, it is sufficient to cover all necessary living costs with a margin (Czechia is a developed, yet relatively cheap country to live in). Biology Centre offers multiple employee benefits (fully covered health insurance, subsidised lunches, cultural/health programmes, etc.). In case of questions, enquire using the contact info below. *Applications:* Applications should be prepared as a single pdf containing: a CV (with publication list) a detailed statement of research interests names and contact information for 3 references. Applications are welcome before August 31, 2020, sent by email to Associate Prof. Jan Štefka at jan.stefka@gmail.com. Prospective candidates will be interviewed in September. The position can be filled starting January 1, 2021, but even an earlier or a slightly postponed start is possible. Jan Štefka, PhD Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, CZECHIA https://www.paru.cas.cz/en/ http://jstefka.info Jan Stefka ********************PostDocs******************** Postdoc in Island biogeography of mutualistic networks in the Anthropocene at GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark We are looking for a highly-motivated and dynamic researcher for a 3 year postdoc position, commencing 1 January 2021. Our group and research The successful candidate will be part of the Dalsgaard Group (https://globe.ku.dk/research/cmec/dalsgaard-group/) within the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) at the GLOBE Institute. CMEC is a center of excellence with a cross-disciplinary research program. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation and future of life and biological diversity on Earth. The 40+ researchers at CMEC currently represent 14 different nationalities and the working language is English. The center juxtaposes faculty staff scientists from the fields of macroecology, historical biogeography, oceanography, evolutionary biology, community ecology, population biology, climate change research, conservation biology and environmental economics. Project description and your job This project is novel in integrating island biogeography theory and theories on how climate and anthropogenic pressures influence mutualistic plant-pollinator and seed-disperser interactions. The project combines field work data collected in the Caribbean with network analysis and biogeographical modelling. Your tasks would be to work closely together with a PhD-student to jointly lead data collection across numerous islands in the Caribbean. You should be prepared to collect data for approximately 4-5 months in both 2020 and 2021. You would be expected to first-author several papers in international peer-reviewed journals. In addition to the postdoc position, we will hire a PhD-student and a cohort of MSc students will participate in the project. All project partners will gather once a year to run workshops with the aim of publishing review and synthesis papers. You would also be expected to assist in teaching and supervise MSc student thesis projects. The project is funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark. Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Bo Dalsgaard, Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, GLOBE Institute, bo.dalsgaard@sund.ku.dk, Direct Phone: +45 42324553. Co-supervisors and project partners are Senior Lecturer Christopher Kaiser-Bunbury and Research Fellow Benno I Simmons (University of Exeter, UK) and Professor Mauro Galetti (University of Miami, USA). Start: 1 January 2021 Duration: 3 years Apply here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/?show=152203 Bo Dalsgaard