POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS OF FLOWER COLOR, SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN

A postdoctoral position is available to participate in a NSF-funded project focusing on the evolutionary mechanisms underlying flower color variation above and below the species level. This project will test the hypothesis that convergent transitions to white flowers above the species level involve a predictable subset of the mutations that generate white flower mutants within populations. An integrated suite of transcriptomic, biochemical and statistical comparative analyses will be applied to address this hypothesis. The position requires a strong interest in evolutionary genetics. Some experience in molecular genetics, plant biochemistry (including high-performance liquid chromatography) and/or analysis of next-generation sequence data is preferred. Creativity, self-motivation, and strong writing skills are also highly valued. The Smith Lab (www.iochroma.info) in School of Biological Sciences at UNL offers a diverse and interactive environment for research in plant evolutionary biology. We share close ties with other evolutionary biology and plant science labs on campus, and we benefit from shared facilities, such as the bioinformatics core research facility and the core facility for applied genomics and ecology. Lincoln, Nebraska boasts an outstanding quality of life that includes a vibrant downtown with lively music and art scene and a collection of over 120 parks and 130 miles of bike trails, plus a low cost of living. To apply for this position, please send a brief letter of interest (1-2 paragraphs), a CV, and the names and contact information for three references to Stacey D. Smith, sdsmith@unl.edu [1]. The position is available for 1 year with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years depending on research progress. Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled. -- Stacey D. Smith 314 Manter Hall School of Biological Sciences University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68588-0118phone with voicemail: (402) 370-6749 email: sdsmith@unl.edu