********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD position in the Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences is seeking for a PhD student to participate in the project: "Phylogeny and biogeography of the ladybird beetles genus Rhyzobius - an integrative approach based on molecular, morphological and fossil data analysis". The project will be carried out at the Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw (Poland) under the supervision of Dr. Karol Szawaryn. The project is financed by the Polish National Science Centre, which ensures a PhD student with a monthly tax-free research stipend of 5000 PLN for the first three years and 3654 PLN gross for the last, fourth year funded by a Doctoral School fellowship. Project description: Ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) are common and well-known insects, however, their classification is very challenging. Despite many recent efforts based on both molecular and morphological dataset, only a moderate improvement has been made. Only the higher classification was proposed but the phylogeny of numerous tribes is still unresolved. Only integrative approaches utilizing molecular, morphological and fossil data can help to propose a sound hypothesis about the evolution of ladybird beetles. One of the taxonomically most complex groups, and without any phylogenetic hypothesis is the tribe Coccidulini, which in some studies are recovered as a basal part of the Coccinellidae evolutionary tree, in others constitute a crown group. Coccidulini are distributed worldwide but their greatest diversity is in the southern hemisphere including Neotropics, southern Africa and Australia. The largest and most widely distributed Coccidulini genus is Rhyzobius, which was taxonomically revised in 2010, however, the revision questioned its monophyly. The proposed project aims to reconstruct molecular phylogeny of the genus Rhyzobius with broad representation of other taxa of Coccidulini from the whole distribution range based on 5-8 molecular markers. The second part will be construction of the morphological matrix. The advantage of studying the evolution of Rhyzobius is that we also have a fossil record which is preserved in Eocene ambers from Oise in France and Baltic amber. So the third source of the information will be the investigation of fossil data. The final results will be obtained based on integration of all these sources of information to propose a sound hypothesis about phylogeny which will enable the study of evolutionary trends and biogeography of the genus Rhyzobius and to some extent the tribe Coccidulini. Requirements: - candidates should have a Master's degree in Biology - should have an experience with molecular lab work, - basic experience in bioinformatics, specifically analyses of molecular data for phylogenetic purposes and an experience with classic insect morphological data. - experience in working with beetles and interest in working with fossil specimens will be an advantage - good communication skills in English (oral and written), perseverance, commitment, and the ability to work in a team are also expected. Work description: Successful candidate will be performing laboratory work (i.e. DNA extractions, PCRs), process and prepare raw sequences for the phylogenetic analyses, performance of phylogenetic analyses in various programs (e.g. IQ-Tree, MrBayes), perform morphological revisions at generic/species level, analyze fossil specimens from various amber sources and integrate them with morphological matrix of modern taxa, and use them for calibration of the molecular trees. The PhD student will be guided by members of our team (Wioletta Tomaszewska, Adam Ślipi�"ski) and encouraged to develop her/his own ideas. Application: Deadline for applications is 7th of September 2022. The candidates are asked to contact by email Karol Szawaryn (szawaryn@miiz.waw.pl) attaching a single PDF file (with the email subject "Application for a PhD position") with: 1) a cover letter describing the motivation and research experiences (max. 1 page); 2) CV; 3) copy of MSc certificate; 4) names and contact details of two references; accompanied with the following statement provided at the end: "I give my consent to the processing of personal data provided in my application documents by the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS for the purpose of the recruitment process, pursuant to the Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1000) and in agreement with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation; L 119 from 04.05.2016)". Selection: 1. Selected candidates will be contacted by e-mail to define a date for an interview which will take place at the Museum and Institute of Zoology of Warsaw or by video call. 2. The successful candidate will take part in the exam of the BioPlanet Doctoral School (http://szkoladoktorska-bioplanet.pl/en/home/). 3. Preferred starting date: 1st October 2022. MIZ PAS reserves the right to reply only to selected offers and to close the call without selecting a candidate. Contact and questions: szawaryn@miiz.waw.pl Karol Szawaryn (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Dear All, I'd like to recruit master's students in the genome science program Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Are you interested in how genetic and epigenetic variations in genome affect the evolution of species? Are you curious of new genome technologies and how genome science can be used to improve sustainability in food production? To meet the increased use of genomics in different sectors of society, a new master program in Genome Science has been established. The master in Genome Science consists of 3 main pillars: * Genetics/Genome Biology * Bioinformatics/statistics * Genome technologies The Tuition fee is free. Application deadline: December 1st https://www.nmbu.no/en/studies/study-options/master/genome-science Questions about study programs: studieveileder-ipv@nmbu.no Questions about admission: opptak@nmbu.no Sincerely, Marie SAITOU, Ph.D. Tenure-Track Principal Investigator, Centre of Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences https://sites.google.com/view/saitou-lab Marie Saito (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** Title for Evoldir: UPorto_CIBIO-InBIO.FeatherSingleCellOmics Application deadline: November 14th, 2022. Title: Single-cell omics of feather colouration. Project description: Bird feather colouration is among the most compelling examples of phenotypic variation in nature. By encompassing differences at multiple levels (e.g. species, individuals, sexes, and body parts), and by being subject to both ecological and sexual selection, it offers a powerful study system for evolutionary research. Feathers represent the most complex epidermal structures of vertebrates, involving elaborate colour patterns whose developmental and biochemical bases are only partially understood. This project seeks to tackle the genetic, developmental, and cellular basis of colours in birds from an innovative perspective by explicitly focusing on single-cell omics methodologies applied to feather and colour patterning morphogenesis. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with members of the Evolutionary Genetics and Genomic group (EVOLGEN) at CIBIO-InBIO (https://cibio.up.pt/en/) and directly with the group leader Dr. Miguel Carneiro and with Dr. Roberto Arbore and will be enrolled in the Doctoral Programme in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (Portugal). Taking advantage of the availability of natural and domesticated colour variants among several bird species, as routinely employed in the host lab, the candidate is expected to develop his/her own project within the framework of the lab's research in animal colouration (possibly within the scope of the 2021 ERC Consolidator Grant "EYESPOT" awarded to Miguel Carneiro). We offer a dynamical and interactive working environment within a team with wide-ranging research interests and with strong population genomics and genetics expertise. We value creativity, collaborative skills, and a passionate and open-mind attitude towards biological research. Previous experience in developmental and/or cell biology and genomics is an asset. Prior experience in animal coloration and avian biology will be valued, although not required. Applications: Questions can be directed to Miguel Carneiro (miguel.carneiro@cibio.up.pt) and Roberto Arbore (roberto.arbore@cibio.up.pt). The Call is open from August 8th to 5:00 pm (Lisbon time) of November 14th, 2022. Applications must be submitted online using the application form available at https://www.biodiv.pt/en/events/call-for-phd-studentships-evolgen-2022/. Roberto Arbore (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Jobs******************** --- One of Two --- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, UK Position: Lecturer in Conservation/Evolution Closing date: 1st September 2022 Salary: Starting from pounds 43,414, rising to pounds 51,805 As part of the Milner Centre for Evolution and the newly created Department of Life Sciences, we are looking to recruit to a new lecturer in Evolution who will play a key role in shaping our Evolution and Biodiversity research profile. Applicants with expertise in global scale conservation biology, big-data biodiversity analysis and related disciplines are especially encouraged. The successful applicant will form part of theMilner Centre for Evolutionwhich has a bespoke building opened in 2018. It builds on decades of excellent evolutionary research including the ongoing Milner Centre for Evolution Doctoral Training Programme (DTP), which provides fully funded studentships for a four-year research and outreach programme leading to a PhD. You will also have access to Doctoral Training Programmes funded via UKRI (BBSRC, MRC and NERC). This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding research group recognised externally as one of the strengths of the University. You will have an established or developing track record in conservation and ecology related research, utilising data-driven discovery approaches and doing biodiversity-focused studies of terrestrial or non-terrestrial ecosystems. Broader experience of the wider conservation and/or ecology field may include (but not restricted to) landscape processes, biodiversity changes, species recoveries, wildlife trade & policy, rewilding nature and population monitoring. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the greatest potential for collaboration and innovation, and demonstrate the ability to produce society-level impacts You will be committed to developing your teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level. You will teach conservation biology, biodiversity and field courses to undergraduates, as well as advanced modules at Master's level. You will also be expected to supervise final year undergraduate research projects. The Centre has a strong commitment to public engagement and outreach, and you will also be expected to contribute to these. Details and applications: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy.aspx?ref�9532 Laurence D. Hurst FMedSci FRS Professor of Evolutionary Genetics Director of The Milner Centre for Evolution University of Bath Bath Somerset, UK BA2 7AY Tel: +44 (0)1225 386424 Fax: +44 (0)1225 386779 Email:l.d.hurst@bath.ac.uk Website:http://people.bath.ac.uk/bssldh/LaurenceDHurst/Home.html Twitter: @MilnerCentre --- Two of Two --- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, UK Position: Senior Lecturer or Reader in Bioinformatics Closing date: 1st September 2022 Salary: Starting from 53,353, rising to 61,823 As part of the Milner Centre for Evolution and the newly created Department of Life Sciences, we are looking to recruit to a new Senior lecturer or Reader in Bioinformatics. About the role: You will lead an independent cutting-edge original research program in the field of bioinformatics and have a strategic role in the development of innovative computational approaches and strengthening bioinformatic support within the Dept of Life Sciences. You will deliver high-quality teaching and will lead our postgraduate MSc (Bioinformatics) degree program and contribute to further undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. About you: You will have an established track record of outstanding achievement in bioinformatics evidenced by high impact publications and grant income and an internationally competitive research program that will contribute significantly to University, UK, and global priorities in pure and applied research. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the greatest potential for collaboration and innovation. You will be committed to developing your teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level and be able to teach coding, bioinformatics and statistics at both under- and postgraduate level. The successful applicant will form part of theMilner Centre for Evolutionwhich has a bespoke building opened in 2018. It builds on decades of excellent evolutionary research including the ongoing Milner Centre for Evolution Doctoral Training Programme (DTP), which provides fully funded studentships for a four-year research and outreach programme leading to a PhD. You will also have access to Doctoral Training Programmes funded via UKRI (BBSRC, MRC and NERC). This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding research group recognised externally as one of the strengths of the University. Details and applications: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy.aspx?ref=CC9705 Laurence D. Hurst FMedSci FRS Professor of Evolutionary Genetics Director of The Milner Centre for Evolution University of Bath Bath Somerset, UK BA2 7AY Tel: +44 (0)1225 386424 Fax: +44 (0)1225 386779 Email:l.d.hurst@bath.ac.uk Website:http://people.bath.ac.uk/bssldh/LaurenceDHurst/Home.html Twitter: @MilnerCentre Laurence Hurst (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Other******************** Hello, My name is Helaine Blumenthal, and I manage the Wikipedia Student Program at Wiki Education. We provide support to faculty in the U.s. and Canada who have their students contribute to Wikipedia as a course assignment. Our support is fully funded, and we provide a robust infrastructure for the project. One of our major initiatives is to improve scientific content on Wikipedia. You can see all the courses we've supported toward that end here. We're currently accepting courses for the Fall 2022 term, and I thought people who read your site might be interested in the program. Helaine Blumenthal,Ph.D. (she/her) Senior Program Manager Wiki Education teach.wikiedu.org Twitter, Facebook Helaine Blumenthal (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** Description: Our group studying Evolutionary interactions of the holobiont is recruiting a postdoc in evolutionary virology. We work at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Research Facility Studenec, Czech Academy of Sciences. The project: We are using the well-described species barrier of the European house mouse hybrid zone (HMHZ) as an optimal context to investigate the factors involved in viral emergence with particular focus on recombination and reassortment. For this, we will perform an extensive genomic characterisation of house mouse viruses across the European HMHZ and in the sympatric rodent community using Metagenomic approaches. We will use a probe enrichment step before sequencing to enhance the sensitivity of detection of low-titer viruses and to improve their genome assembly. This characterisation will be performed across our standard transect of the HMHZ, the Bohemia-Bavarian region, but also replicated in the Bulgarian part of the HMHZ where the mouse subspecies came into contact earlier and with different environmental conditions in terms of the sympatric rodent community structure. This will provide power to distinguish virus processes strongly depending of host intrinsic factors from those sensitive to environmental conditions. The post-doc researcher will be responsible for generating and analyzing metagenomics data to characterize the virus community of the HMHZ and local rodent species. The highly prevalent and geographically widely distributed virus species will be further analysed to investigate regions of the viral genomes that recombine in the context of the host hybrid zone. The candidate will have the possibility to participate in field sampling in Czech Republic, Germany and Bulgaria. Environment: The post-doc will work in a small team ( https://www.ivb.cz/en/team/holobiont-evolutionary-interactions-group/) at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of The Czech Academy of Sciences, at Research Facility Studenec ( https://www.ivb.cz/en/workplace/external-research-facility-studenec/). The postdoc academic advisors (Joelle Gouy de Bellocq and Stuart J.E. Baird) specialise in evolutionary parasitology, molecular biology and population genetics/genomics. The institute is situated in woods beside a lake in the Czech-Moravian highlands, half an hour from Brno, the second city of the Czech Republic, where there is the large campus of the Masaryk University. The rolling hills and woods of the region are popular with cyclists. At the institute work discussion is in international English. Due to the location of the facility a personal car is useful, but not necessary (there is a train station 10 mins walk from the institute). Qualifications: - PhD in evolutionary biology, parasitology, virology or bioinformatics - Evidence of research productivity, including first author publications though the existing work of the candidate will be judged on its quality and utility to the scientific community rather than gross number of publications. - Ability to work independently - Good writing skills - Coding skills (R, Python) and previous experience working with large genome-scale datasets - Motivation to mentor undergraduate and graduate students Salary and duration: The gross monthly salary will be 40,000 CZK + performance bonus. The cost of living in Czech republic is low. The contract can start as early as the 1st of September 2022. Subject to yearly review, the position is renewable and funding available till December 2024. Candidates should submit a short CV and letter of interest in a single PDF file to Joelle Gouy de Bellocq (joellegouy@gmail.com), who is the principal investigator of the project. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with Stuart J.E. Baird ( https://www.ivb.cz/en/person/stuart-j-e-baird/) a specialist on speciation genetics/genomics inference. Applications will be read directly by the academic advisors and interviews will be held until a suitable candidate is found. Joelle Gouy de Bellocq (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP AT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY ON COGNITIVE EVOLUTIONARY NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING OF RELIGION Drs. Bernard Crespi and Sam Doesburg are seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral Fellow at Simon Fraser University (SFU). The project focuses on the roles of autistic and schizotypal traits in religious cognition, using a combination of psychometric data together with MEG and fMRI imaging and conceptual frameworks from evolutionary biology. The successful applicant will hold a doctorate in neuroscience, biology, physiology, engineering, psychology or a related field. Prior expertise with neuroimaging, religious cognition research, psychological data collection, or the role of individual traits in behaviour would be beneficial, but is not required. The duration will be two years. Salary will be in the range of 45-55K per year, depending upon experience. SFU is Canada's top-ranked comprehensive university, poised at the intersection of innovative education, cutting-edge research, and community engagement. With three campuses located in beautiful British Columbia, Canada's largest municipalities - Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey. SFU's excellence as an engaged university is derived from our shared commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the pursuit of decolonization, indigenization, and reconciliation. Applications will be received until the position is filled. The successful applicant will be expected to start on or before January 2nd, 2023. Interested applicants should email their CV and a brief (1 page) letter of interest to Dr. Crespi and Dr. Doesburg at bernard_crespi@sfu.ca and sam_doesburg@sfu.ca. Bernard Crespi (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** The Faircloth, Kelly, and Dassanayake Labs at Louisiana State University are hiring a postdoctoral researcher (NIH salary scale) to collaborate on a 3-year NSF funded project investigating the genomic basis of thermal adaptation in populations of the splash pool copepod Tigriopus californicus. The splash pool copepod Tigriopus californicus displays divergent thermal tolerance traits across populations, has a short generation time, and is easily crossed and reared in the lab. We will combine experimental evolution with physiological measurements, transcriptome profiling, and whole-genome resequencing to identify mechanisms underlying three aspects of thermal adaptation that differ among Tigriopus populations and compare results of laboratory experiments to population resequencing data for two Tigriopus species distributed over parallel temperature gradients in North and South America. Results from this project will provide one of the most comprehensive maps of the genetic and physiological bases of temperature adaptation in any species, and shed light on key questions, including the role of gene regulation vs. protein coding changes in physiological divergence among populations, the proportion of the genome involved in temperature adaptation, the costs and trade-offs imposed by the evolution of increased thermal breadth, and the repeatability of adaptation across parallel environmental gradients. The postdoctoral researcher collaborating on this project will collect and analyze whole genome sequence data from experimental and natural populations to identify genomic mechanisms for adaptation to temperature. This project will offer opportunities for immediate productivity and rapid publication, as this is an established experimental system in Dr. Kelly's lab, with most of the field samples already collected. This project will also offer opportunities for extensive cross training across three collaborating labs, including training in experimental evolution (Kelly), genomics (Faircloth) and transcriptomics (Dassanayake). This position is funded for three years at an NIH salary scale, with retirement benefits, and the same healthcare plan as faculty. Please apply to this position here: https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU/job/A0309-Life-Sciences-Annex/Postdoctoral-Researcher_R00068670 Contact morganwkelly+postdoc@gmail.com with questions. Morgan W Kelly (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear Community, Applications for our 2023 version of the summer school on Computational Evolution in Crete are now open: https://meetings.embo.org/event/23-comp-evolution Alexis -- Alexandros (Alexis) Stamatakis Research Group Leader, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies Full Professor, Dept. of Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Affiliated Scientist, Evolutionary Genetics and Paleogenomics (EGP) lab, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas www.exelixis-lab.org alexandros.stamatakis@gmail.com (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** SMBEeverywhere Global Symposium #4 is open for abstract submissions! Theme: Using Ancestral Recombination Graphs (ARGs) to Infer Evolutionary Processes When: September 30, 2022 14:00-21:00 UTC Abstract submission deadline: August 19, 2022 (notification on August 29, 2022) Registration deadline: September 2, 2022 Free to SMBE members (3 year student membership costs US$10) Program and registration: http://www.smbe.org/smbe/MEETINGS/SMBEeverywhere/GS4.aspx The field of population genetics is undergoing a fundamental change. This transition involves moving from inferences based on summary statistics to inferences based on methods that integrate all the information available in genetic data through the ancestral recombination graphs (ARGs). This use of ARGs is a truly disruptive idea that is fundamentally changing how we make inferences about molecular evolution. It not only promises to provide more precise inferences, but ARGs will also allow explorations of new questions that couldn't easily be addressed previously such as researching temporal changes in patterns of recombination and mutation. However, inference of ARGs is a difficult computational problem and there is a lack of consensus in the field on best practices, and costs and benefits of different approaches. This symposium is soliciting abstracts on research addressing how genome-wide genealogies can be effectively estimated as well as used to better understand evolutionary processes. We will also welcome submissions of new methods for inferring adaptive introgression, selective sweeps, polygenic adaptation, population structure, and admixture histories, and also for uncovering the genetic basis of complex traits. We hope the symposium will foster discussions and help build consensus on methods for ARG estimation. We aim to create a symposium that will provide a rich learning opportunity for both early career and senior researchers who wish to familiarize themselves with this important transformation in the field of population genetics. Invited Speakers: Wilder Wohns (Broad Institute) Organizers: Christian Huber (Pennsylvania State, USA), Débora Brandt (UC Berkeley, USA), Diego Ortega-Del Vecchyo (National Autonomous University of Mexico, MX), Charleston Chiang (University of Southern California, USA) deboraycb@berkeley.edu (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)