********************GradStudentPositions******************** 3-year PhD position (65% TV-L E13) in "Evolutionary & Comparative Genomics" at the University of Göttingen. We study the evolutionary impact of gene and genome duplication in arthropods. Gene duplications are major drivers of evolutionary innovation, but their consequences vary significantly across lineages like insects and spiders, providing a powerful comparative framework to study the genomic and phenotypic impact of duplication events. This computational project will leverage a unique, large-scale dataset of 233 high-quality arthropod genomes to…: 1) … classify different types of duplication events and determine their impact on genome architecture and gene function. 2) … integrate multi-omics data (bulk-RNAseq, scRNAseq, long-read RNAseq, ATAC-seq) to explore how duplicated genes diverge in their protein sequences and expression patterns. 3) … study the molecular mechanisms driving this diversification, such as interlocus gene conversion, alternative splicing and the role of transposable elements in creating novel exons and divergence in gene regulation. The project is part of an interdisciplinary consortium studying the "Genomic Basis of Evolutionary Innovations (GEvol)" (Priority Programme, SPP 2349 funded by German Science Foundation (DFG)) and the PhD candidate will be tightly embedded in the international and vibrant research community at the Göttingen Research Campus and the graduate school IMPRS-GS. Regular exchange with and research visits at collaboration labs (e.g. Mathilde Cordellier, University Rostock) provide further opportunities for personal and professional development. What you should bring: bioinformatic and statistical skills in one or more of the following areas: comparative genomics, orthology, RNAseq, long-read RNAseq, single-cell RNAseq, ATACseq, integration of multi-omics data, phylogenomics and genome assembly/annotation. Inquiries should be sent to Nico Posnien (nposnie@gwdg.de). Application deadline: January 14, 2026 Apply here: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/556704.html Nico Posnien (he/him) #gernperDu #CallMeByMyFirstName Georg-August-University Göttingen Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology Department of Developmental Biology Ernst-Caspari-Haus (GZMB) Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany Phone: +49 (0) 55139 28662 E-mail:nposnie@gwdg.de Website:http://www.posnien-lab.net Bluesky: @posnienlab.bsky.social "Posnien, Nico" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Dear colleagues, Please consider applying and/or forward this information to interested students. 10 PhD positions are available in the DFG funded Research Training Group GönomiX "Emerging genetic model systems - Cross-species comparison of developmental gene function and gene regulatory networks." GönomiX focuses on the evolution of gene regulatory networks and Wnt pathway functions in emerging model organisms (e.g. insects, annelids, snails, flatworms, cnidarians), utilizing 'omics technologies and bioinformatics. Students will either pioneer novel bioinformatics tools or they will push the current limits of our model systems by developing novel tools to study gene function (genome editing, RNAi, single molecule imaging etc.). The group of 10 PhD students will closely collaborate, join our structured training program and participate in regular scientific exchange e.g. in retreats, colloquia and in tailored workshops. Information: Information on GönomiX projects: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/research/702897.html Starting date: around June 2026 Information on our structured training program: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/training/702885.html We are a team of 9 researchers from the University of Göttingen, the University Medical Center and the Max Planck Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/team/702893.html Questions? Feel welcome to ask any question during our informal online information session on Wednesday December 17th, 2pm (Berlin time): https://uni-goettingen.zoom.us/my/meeting.with.gregor Application: Application deadline: January 14th 2026 Application portal (run together with the International Max Planck Research School Genome Science - you may apply to both programs on our joint recruitment site): https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/application/556704.html Consider the IMPRS-GS projects as well: https://uni-goettingen.de/de/556628.html Greetings, Nico Nico Posnien (he/him) #gernperDu #CallMeByMyFirstName Georg-August-University Göttingen Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology Department of Developmental Biology Ernst-Caspari-Haus (GZMB) Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany Phone: +49 (0) 55139 28662 E-mail:nposnie@gwdg.de Website:http://www.posnien-lab.net Bluesky: @posnienlab.bsky.social ---- 3-year PhD position (65% TV-L E13) in "Evolution of the gene regulatory networks underlying the development of morphological novelties in a darkling beetle" at the University of Göttingen. We are generally interested in studying the genetic, developmental and cellular bases of phenotypic divergence. This project will identify the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and cellular processes underlying post-embryonic development of exaggerated head horns in the darkling beetle Gnatocerus cornutus. We will compare "horn" (G. cornutus males) versus "no-horn" phenotypes (G. cornutus females and Tribolium castaneum males) using developmental single-cell omics (snRNA-seq, scATAC-seq) and different imaging techniques. Candidate genes will be functionally tested using RNA interference and fluorescent in situ hybridization (HCR). We will test the hypothesis that the embryonic anterior GRN is re-deployed to form novel adult head structures. The project is part of the interdisciplinary graduate school "GönomiX: Emerging genetic model systems - Cross-species comparison of developmental gene function and gene regulatory networks": https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/home/624201.html The PhD candidate will be tightly embedded in the international and vibrant research community at the Göttingen Research Campus. What you should bring: Completed Master studies in Developmental Biology, Genetics, Evolutionary Biology or related fields. Experience with single-cell sequencing data generation and analysis is a plus. Inquiries should be sent to Nico Posnien (nposnie@gwdg.de). Application deadline: January 14, 2026 Apply here: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/556704.html Nico Posnien (he/him) #gernperDu #CallMeByMyFirstName Georg-August-University Göttingen Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology Department of Developmental Biology Ernst-Caspari-Haus (GZMB) Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany Phone: +49 (0) 55139 28662 E-mail:nposnie@gwdg.de Website:http://www.posnien-lab.net Bluesky: @posnienlab.bsky.social