PhD position in population genomics

2013-02-12

at the department of Plant Ecology and Evolution, EBC, Uppsala University, Sweden


Application no later than 2013-03-08. UFV-PA 2013/415.

Project description: Polyploidy, or whole genome duplication (WGD), occurs in virtually all vascular plants and has played a major role in evolution. In your PhD project you will take advantage of the recent developments in sequencing technology and previous studies in the Capsella genus to characterize genomic and phenotypic changes associated to WGD in the shepherd’s purse (C. bursa-pastoris), a recently formed tetraploid weed. You will first conduct whole-genome resequencing and gene expression studies of accessions from Europe and from China. In a second step, the association between genomic variation and putative adaptive traits will be assessed through association and linkage mapping. These data, together with data in its diploid relatives, will be used to address questions about the genomic consequences of WGD between species and between groups of accessions within species and questions on the consequences of WGD for putative adaptive traits. Part of this work will be done in close cooperation with research groups in Canada and China.

An important part of your work will include statistical and genome analyses of large DNA sequence data sets from a number of Capsella genomes. In addition, molecular and experimental studies of specific pathways and phenotypic traits may be included. The exact work-plan of the thesis will be settled together with the doctoral student. 

The PhD student will be based in the group of Martin Lascoux at the Evolutionary Biology Center. (http://www.ebc.uu.se/forskning/IEG/Plant/Research_groups/Lascoux_group/)

Qualifications: An MSc degree of equivalent in a relevant field is required. We seek a highly motivated student with thorough education and strong interest in evolutionary genetics/genomics, and population genetics. Previous experience with bioinformatical and statistical analysis of modern sequence data is required and a working knowledge of Perl and Python or related programming languages is highly recommended. We are looking for individuals who can work independently but also as part of a team. Candidates must be fluent in English (orally and written). The successful candidate will receive her/his postgraduate training within the postgraduate school at the Evolutionary Biology Centre (http://www.ebc.uu.se/?languageId=1) that is one of world's leading research institutions in evolutionary biology.

Conditions: The postgraduate training comprises four years of full time studies. The successful candidate will receive a postgraduate fellowship the first year (15500SEK/month) and a postgraduate position year 2-4 (22400-25100 SEK/month). The position can be combined with up to 20% of teaching assistantship, which will then prolong the position accordingly.
 Please feel free to contact Martin Lascoux (Martin.Lascoux@ebc.uu.se,  +46 18 471 6416) for more information. Union representatives are Anders Grundström, Saco-rådet, tel.  +46 18 471 53 80 och Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST, tel.  +46 18 471 19 96, Stefan Djurström, Seko, tel.  +46 18 471 33 15.



How to apply: Please prepare a letter of intent including descriptions of 1) your motivation for PhD studies in general and for this position in particular, 2) your education, especially in evolutionary biology, genetics/genomics/bioinformatics, molecular biology, and statistics. The application should further include a CV, an authorized copy of your MSc degree, and the names and contact information (address, email address, and phone number) of at least two reference persons. Relevant publications (including BSc/MSc thesis) should be enclosed. The application must be written in English.

 You are welcome to submit your application no later than March 8, 2013, UFV-PA 2013/415. Use the link below to access the application form.

http://www.uu.se/jobb/phd-students/annonsvisning?tarContentId=233651&languageId=1

____________________________

Martin Lascoux

Department of Ecology and Genetics

EBC, Uppsala University

Norbyvägen 18D

75236 Uppsala

Sweden

Tel  +46 (0) 18 471 64 16

Fax +46 (0) 18 471 64 57

____________________________