Explora la biología de especies venenosas con esta beca de 4 años en Suecia

PhD student (4 years) in Evolution of toxicity in birds and frogs

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Organization: Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics

Contract Type: 4-year PhD position

Main Description: The Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics is offering a four-year PhD position focused on exploring the convergent evolution of toxicity in New Guinean passerine birds and Neotropical poison dart frogs.

The project will combine field and manipulation experiments with comparative genomics, transcriptomics and chemical analyses. The student will work on:

• Determining the source of BTX and its adaptive significance in toxic birds
• Identifying genomic adaptations allowing for storage and transportation of toxins in both birds and frogs
• Evaluating the roles of gut microbial symbionts in toxin uptake and host adaptations

There is the possibility (not mandatory) to participate in fieldwork at the Copenhagen Zoo or in Papua New Guinea.

Requirements: Essential:

• MSc degree in biology or related fields
• Documented knowledge in a relevant research field
• Excellent written and spoken English

Desirable experience in:

• Knowledge of population genetics theory
• Molecular lab techniques (DNA extraction, DNA sequence library preparation)
• Analysis of whole-genome DNA sequence data (Nanopore, PacBio, and/or Illumina)
• Generation and analysis of sequence data from museum samples
• Proficiency in bash command line and Python/R
• Working with high-performance computing clusters
• Strong interest and experience working with biodiversity

Personal competencies:

• Analytical thinking
• Ability to collaborate
• Creativity

Benefits/Conditions: Working at Sweden's largest museum with:

• Access to collections of over 11 million specimens
• International collaboration opportunities
• State-of-the-art research facilities

How to Apply: Submit the following documents:

• Cover letter (max 1 page) with statement of interest, scientific work summary and qualification alignment
• CV summarizing education, positions, and academic work
• List of publications and academic work (including MSc thesis if available)
• Bachelors and Masters degree diplomas with transcripts
• English proficiency documentation (if applicable)
• 2-3 references with contact details
• Optional but beneficial: 1-2 page research proposal

The Swedish Museum of Natural History values diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

For more information: http://www.nrm.se

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Jugosas ofertas de doctorado y postdoc en Suiza con lechuzas

An analysis of long-term data to assess the impact of climate and land use change on an apex avian predator from 1990 to 2028

The aim of this project is to study the impact of climate change and land use on:

• Life history traits
• Morphology (body size and proportion, plumage colouration)
• Population dynamics in the barn owl

We will also analyze whether changes over time in all these traits is due to selection. We will also look at whether annual survival and/or breeding success is linked to variation in reproductive parameters, morphological traits and/or life history traits.

This project is timely, as society demands a better understanding of the range of impacts of global change on biodiversity. This is particularly relevant for determining whether populations have had time to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The project proposed here to collect data in a wild population of barn owls in western Switzerland (400 nestboxes, up to 200 pairs per year) and to analyze data collected since 1990. This predator is at the top of the food chain in intensively farmed areas, and breeds in buildings. It is sedentary, making it possible to study the impact of changes in climate and land use throughout the annual cycle in the same geographical location.

Parameters to Study

We plan to examine:

Reproductive parameters:

• Laying date
• Clutch size
• Egg size
• Hatching success
• Chick growth
• Fledging success
• Sex ratio of offspring

Morphological data:

• Body size
• Plumage characteristics

Life cycle characteristics:

• Age at sexual maturity
• Lifelong reproductive success
• Survival

Demographics:

• Emigration
• Immigration
• Population size

Collaborations

This project will be performed in collaboration with:

• Lucyna Halupka (Wroclawski)
• Andrea Romano (Milano)
• Bettina Almasi & Michael Schaub (Swiss Ornithological Institute)
• Jérôme Goudet (Lausanne)

Requirements

I'm looking for a PhD student and a postdoc to work on this project.

Skills required:

• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to work in the field day and night (these are owls) over a long period (March-September)
• Very good command of R

The project will last 4 or 5 years. Starting date to be agreed.

Please send your CV and cover letter.

Contact Information

Prof. Alexandre Roulin
University of Lausanne
Department of Ecology and Evolution
Building Biophore
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland

📞 0041 76 702 08 64
📧 Alexandre.Roulin@unil.ch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAW9zu_DkRw

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Oferta de Doctorado en Ecología Evolutiva Funcional con Plantas Rupícolas (Madrid)

(English below)

Oferta de Doctorado en Ecología Evolutiva Funcional con Plantas Rupícolas

El Instituto de Investigación en Cambio Global (IICG) de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) ofrece una posición de doctorado en Ecología Evolutiva Funcional con Plantas Rupícolas.

Detalles del proyecto:

- Título: CONCLIFFS - Desentrañando la dimensión evolutiva y funcional de los ecosistemas de acantilados para su conservación

- Duración: 4 años (renovable anualmente)

- Salario bruto: 1700 €/mes

- Fecha de inicio: 18/11/2024

- Investigador principal: Martí March-Salas

Resumen del proyecto:

Este doctorado forma parte del proyecto CONCLIFF, que busca comprender la diversidad funcional y el potencial adaptativo de las plantas rupícolas. La tesis se centrará en evaluar los cambios evolutivos en las respuestas de las plantas al aumento de la frecuencia de sequías y la disminución de la polinización durante los últimos 20 años, utilizando el enfoque de "resurrección" con ocho especies del género Petrocoptis.

Perfil del candidato:

- Máster en Ecología Evolutiva, Botánica, Conservación de la Biodiversidad o campos afines

- Buen expediente académico y experiencia en análisis estadístico con R

- Disposición para realizar experimentos y trabajo de campo

- Buenas habilidades de comunicación oral y escrita en inglés

- Se valora experiencia en medición de rasgos funcionales y análisis genético

- Se reconoce la habilidad en escalada

- Motivación, entusiasmo y ganas de aprender

Responsabilidades:

- Diseño y mantenimiento de experimentos eco-evolutivos con plantas rupícolas

- Medición de rasgos funcionales y reproductivos de plantas, y control de polinización

- Trabajo de campo en comunidades de plantas rupícolas

- Análisis de variación genética y/o diversidad microbiana

- Difusión del conocimiento en congresos, seminarios, etc.

- Apoyo en la supervisión de estudiantes de grado y máster

- Realización de cursos de doctorado

- Análisis estadísticos y publicación de artículos científicos

Cómo aplicar:

Los candidatos deben enviar sus solicitudes en línea entre el 26/09/2024 y el 02/10/2024 a través del siguiente enlace: http://www.urjc.es/investigacion/convocatorias-investigacion, utilizando la plataforma online de convocatorias de contratación para proyectos de investigación disponible en la web de la URJC. Referencia del proyecto: M3349.

Para más información, contactar a Martí March-Salas (marti.march.salas@urjc.es).

Sitio web: https://www.martimarchsalas.com/


###############

PhD Position in Functional Evolutionary Ecology with Cliff Plants

Plant Evolutionary Ecology Group

Instituto de Investigación en Cambio Global (IICG)

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC)

Project title: CONCLIFFS - Unraveling the evolutionary and functional dimension of CLIFF ecosystemS for their CONservation (2023-T1/ECO-29193; Internal Project Reference: M3349).

Project summary: Cliff ecosystems are ecological and climatic refuges that host unique biodiversity. For instance, cliffs are home to 35-40% of the endemic plant taxa in Europe and 66% in New Zealand. Many of these endemic plant species have a long evolutionary history, having undergone strong selective pressures and developed a high degree of specialization to cliffs. Although cliffs have been among the least human-disturbed habitats, they now face growing threats from climbing activities and climate change, which are leading to the disappearance of unique cliff plant populations. While recent research has highlighted the impact of climbing on cliff plant communities, the effects of climate change on cliff species have yet to be studied.

As part of the CONCLIFF project, which aims to understand the functional diversity and adaptive potential of cliff plants, this PhD thesis focuses on assessing evolutionary changes in plant responses to increased drought frequency and pollination decline over the last 20 years. To do so, we will use the resurrection approach with eight species of the Petrocoptis genus, comparing ancestors with contemporary descendants under common experimental conditions. Following this, we will test for evolutionary adaptation in natural plant populations, combining the resurrection study with in situ transplantations, with the success of these introductions being closely monitored. Through this project, the PhD candidate will apply innovative research in a highly understudied system, aiming to enhance the long-term conservation of cliff biodiversity.

Project Principal Investigator: Martí March-Salas (IICG-URJC) [marti.march.salas@urjc.es].

Project collaborators: Adrián Escudero (IICG-URJC), Silvia Matesanz (IICG-URJC), José María Iriondo (IICG-URJC), Juan Lorite (UGR), Luis Navarro (UVigo), María Begoña García (IPE), Pablo Tejero-Ibarra (IPE), Gemma Palomar (UCM), Elena Hamann (Düsseldorf Uni.), Robert Rauschkolb (Uni. Jena), Niek Scheepens (Goethe Uni. Frankfurt) [among others].

Gross salary: 1700 €/month.

Starting date: 18/11/2024.

Contract duration: Four years renewed annually.

Your profile:

• A master's degree in Evolutionary Ecology, Botany, Biodiversity Conservation or related fields.

• Good academic record and experience in statistical analysis using R.

• Willingness to conduct experiments and fieldwork.

• Good oral and written communication skills in English.

• Experience measuring functional traits and with genetic analysis is a plus.

• Climbing proficiency is acknowledge.

• Motivated, enthusiastic and eager to learn.

What do we offer you?

• An exciting and novel research opportunity in a dynamic, productive, and interdisciplinary team.

• Opportunity to collaborate in associated research projects.

• Great networking opportunities with international networks.

• A family-friendly and young working environment.

• Opportunities to conduct research stays with an international group.

• Cutting-edge experimental and lab facilities.

Your responsibilities:

• Design, setup, and maintenance of eco-evo experiments with cliff plants.

• Measurement of functional and reproductive plant traits, and pollination control.

• Fieldwork in cliff-dwelling plant communities.

• Analysis of genetic variation and/or microbial diversity.

• Disseminating your knowledge in congresses, seminars, etc.

• Help with the supervision and support of BSc and MSc students in their scientific projects.

• Carry out doctoral courses.

• Statistical analyses and publication of scientific articles.

Application deadline: 2 October 2024.

How to apply? Candidates must submit their applications online between 26/09/2024 and 02/10/2024 through the following link: http://www.urjc.es/investigacion/convocatorias-investigacion, using the online platform for recruitment calls for research projects available on the URJC website. Reference of the project: M3349.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

Martí March-Salas

Email: marti.march.salas@urjc.es

Website: https://www.martimarchsalas.com/

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Postdocs evolutivos en Alemania en un grupo top top

Two 3-year postdocs: (1) Theoretical evolutionary ecology, (2) Avian

life history evolution

We (kokkonuts.org) are interested in strengthening our research team
that works on life history evolution in a broad sense, including the
evolution of ageing, sexual reproduction, and evolutionary conflicts. We
are therefore offering two postdoctoral positions.

Both are offered for 3 years, ideally starting in January 2025 (with
considerable flexibility). You will join a research group that will offer
collaboration prospects within the group, with other researchers at JGU,
as well as elsewhere via Prof. Kokko’s international network. Short-
and long-term visitors, from workshops to sabbatical-length visits,
bring in excellent prospects for collaboration and idea exchange between
the postdoc and other theoreticians/empiricists as well.

The precise topic of position (1) will be developed
together with the postdoc (see application procedure
below), while the postdoc of position (2) will take part
in a new collaboration between Prof. Kokko, Prof. Bouwhuis
(https://sites.google.com/site/drsandrabouwhuis/) and Dr. Vedder
(https://ifv-vogelwarte.de/en/home-ifv/staff/dr-oscar-vedder). This
collaboration has a focus on life history theory, but also offers
opportunities for field- and experimental work on common terns and/or
captive quails, respectively.

While primarily focused on research, both positions come with a 4 h/week
teaching expectation during semester times, with content that will be
developed together with Prof. Kokko and her other group members. The
working language of the group is English, and teaching can be arranged
flexibly in either English or German.

We expect:
A PhD degree in a suitable field (biology, physics, mathematics)
Skills in theoretical evolutionary ecology
An interest in working in a ‘theory hub’ with full-time junior
researchers as well as short-term visitors
Proven capability of producing publishable research
An interest in developing one’s teaching skills

We offer:
A chance to work within a newly established hub in theoretical
evolutionary ecology
A renumeration package that follows the
German EG13 scale (range marked as ‘13’ on
https://www.lff.rlp.de/fileadmin/user_upload/LFF/PDF/service/gehaltstabellen/TV-L/TV_Laender_ab_01122022.pdf
Flexible working hours
Internal and external training opportunities
The position complies with the German §57 High Education Act
(Hochschulgesetz)

To apply, please send
(1) CV + publication list; (2) a 1-page motivation letter, that also
indicates the position of primary interest (‘bird’ or ‘non-bird’);
(3) Comments on 1 paper, chosen either from the journal club list of
www.kokkonuts.org (section ‘journal club’), or from Prof. Kokko’s
Google scholar profile. This part of the application should list the
comments that the applicant would plan to give in a journal club if this
paper was discussed there. The length of this document is not prescribed:
concise expression, but with enough detail so that a reader can follow
the logic, is ideal; (4) Two names & email addresses of references.

The above should form a single pdf and be sent to Hanna Kokko
(hkokko@uni-mainz.de) by 15.10.2024.




Prof. Hanna Kokko

Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE)
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch Weg 15
55128 Mainz
Germany

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Vente a Chequia de doctorado o postdoc para estudiar la evolución de la visión en peces

 Application deadline: 29th February 2024 (the candidate will be selected in March)

Start date: 1st October 2024

Duration: 4 years

Location: Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, EU

Research group: http://www.fishevo.com/

We are searching for a motivated candidate with interest in molecular and evolutionary genomic approaches to reveal the secrets of how fish see in the deep sea. The project focuses on evolution of the visual sensory system in fishes and count with application of transcriptomics (including the single-cell transcriptomics) of the retina. The successful candidate will join the Fish Evolution research group of Zuzana Musilova at Charles University in Prague and will study eyes of species with extreme adaptations, some of them with unknown mechanisms.

We offer:

– an international research group with the ERC funding located in an inspiring historical city

– a competitive salary sufficient to live in Prague

– possibility to participate at international conferences, collaborations and in the field

– wide selection of courses at the Faculty of Science

We seek:

– a candidate with motivation and enthusiasm for biology, nature and science, and with ability and willingness to learn new approaches

– fluency in English

– a M.Sc. degree in biology or related fields (or to be finished by September 2024)

– experience with molecular genetics, other laboratory techniques, as well as with some (basic) bioinformatics will be considered as beneficial

The project:

Deep-sea fish have evolved extreme adaptations to their environment. Such as in their eyes with cone and rod cells responsible for photoreception. In several deep-sea fish lineages, a novel visual system with unknown mechanism has been discovered (https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.aav4632). Some species use multiple rhodopsins or have uncertain identity of the cones and rods, something very unusual for vertebrates. The main goal of this project funded by the ERC Consolidator grant is to study these adaptations mainly from a single-cell level perspective. While the focus is mainly on molecular evolution, we generally aim to interpret cool stories out of our findings mainly in the context of the evolution, fishes and their life. The candidate is expected to present about his/her project at international conferences and will be authoring research publications. All nations applicable.

All questions and applications (CV + half-page motivation letter + contact details for two persons who can be asked for a reference) should be sent directly to Zuzana Musilova (zuzmus[AT]gmail.com or zuzana.musilova[AT]natur.cuni.cz)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION:-)

PS: we will also look for a postdoc in another post:-)

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Oferta de doctorado (FPI, como la mía :P) para estudiar coevolución entre plantas y hongos (Huesca, España)

(Mira Àreu, plantas y hongos, y cerca de las montañas :D)

**Position: PhD Student in Bioflora Research Group**

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PhD student to join our Bioflora research group to work with us on co-evolution and adaptive speciation of pooid grasses and their fungal endophytes.

We invite applications from ambitious candidates with relevant research experience and a passion to conduct research and innovation activities within the framework of a project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2022-140074NB-I00).

The main objective of this research is to advance knowledge on the potential large extent of lateral gene transfer (LGT) in pooids and how this mechanism has contributed to generating evolutionary novelty. Additionally, we aim to investigate the potential co-evolution of grass-Epichloë holobionts and how this phenomenon has contributed to the success of adaptive speciation in temperate grasses.

**Specific Objectives:**

1. Generate a large representative pan-genome and pan-transcriptome evolutionary framework of Pooideae for robust analysis of LGT events between phylogenetically distant lineages.

2. Identify confident LGT events in Pooideae through comparative genome analyses.

3. Analyze the level of expression of the laterally-transferred encoding genes in the recipient species.

4. Characterize the nature and abundance of transposon families across the analyzed genomes and lineages.

5. Search for potential horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events of fungal endophyte genes into the pooid genomes.

**PhD Characteristics:**

- Cotutored PhD thesis supervised by Prof. Pilar Catalan (University of Zaragoza) and Prof. Jianquan Liu (Lanzhou University).

- Job location: High Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca (Spain).

- Full-time position (37.5 hours/week).

- Duration: Four years.

**Tasks and Responsibilities:**

- Perform literature review, field, garden and growth chamber work, laboratory analyses, and data collection and management.

- Conduct genomic assembly and annotations, comparative genomics, phylogenomics, and population genomics.

- Write scientific articles.

- Contribute to the teamwork and team spirit in the research line.

**Required Qualifications and Experience:**

- BSc degree in Biological Sciences, Agronomy, Biotechnology, or similar.

- Master's degree in Plant genetics, Evolution, Biodiversity, Plant breeding, or similar.

- Candidates must be eligible for enrollment in a doctoral program according to the requirements of Spanish universities.

**Desirable Requirements:**

- Proficiency in English.

- Analytical and organizational capacities.

- Good communication skills.

- Ability to work as part of a team.

- Driver's license.

**Application Process:**

If you wish to be considered for this position, please send an email to Prof. Pilar Catalan (pcatalan@unizar.es) with the reference FPI-PID2022-140074NB-I00, and attach your CV and motivation letter. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Best regards,

Miguel Campos

minutoides@gmail.com

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Cinco contratos para hacer la tesis en la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Oferta compartida por Cristina


Five contracts to carry out a doctoral thesis in the Doñana Biological Station - CSIC


The Doñana Biological Station offers five contracts to develop the doctoral thesis.

The duration of the contracts will be 4 years with a dedication of 40 hours per week.

Potential candidates should contact the PI of the project to discuss their interest. To be eligible for one of these contracts, the candidate must have a master's degree, be admitted and enrolled to a doctoral program in a Spanish University.
Origin and impact of chromosomal inversions on the evolution and physiology of common quails

[PID2022-143216NB-I00]

Principal Investigator: Carles Vilà

Contact: carles.vila@ebd.csic.es

https://www.csic.es/es/formacion-y-empleo/oportunidades-para-la-carrera-investigadora/pre2023-origin-and-impact-chromosomal

Chromosomal inversions result in the linkage of genes through reduced recombination. These are inherited as supergenes that evolve independently in individuals with and without the inversion, resulting in two divergent lineages. Recent advances in genomics research has facilitated the identification and characterization of these genomic rearrangements, and they are increasingly seen as a mechanism for diversification and adaptation.

In our previous project we described the presence of very large inversion, including more than 10% of the genome, in common quails (Coturnix coturnix). This inversion produces clear phenotypic characteristics in the individuals that carry it: darker throat coloration, slightly bigger size, rounded wings less suitable suitable for long flight, and reduced migration. This inversion could be associated with the uniqueness of some island quail populations and the study system represents a unique opportunity to investigate a mechanism of sympatric differentiation. However, little is known about the origin and evolutionary significance of this inversion.

With this project we will study the potential origin of the inversion through introgression of a different lineage, extant or extinct, or from one of the currently isolated populations in Africa. We will also study the impact that the inversion may have had on the evolution of quails and on their migratory behavior.
Aquatic birds as dispersal vectors of plastics and ecotoxic-epidemiological implications: the role of trophic ecology and movement (IsoPlastic)

Principal investigators: Manuela Forero y Marta Sánchez

Contacts: gforero@ebd.csic.es marta.sanchez@ebd.csic.es

https://www.csic.es/es/formacion-y-empleo/oportunidades-para-la-carrera-investigadora/pre2023-las-aves-acuaticas-como

Isoplastic project aims to assess the role of aquatic birds as biovectors of plastics and their ecotoxic-epidemiological implications, and the effect of key ecological behaviour as foraging movements and trophic ecology. We propose a multidisciplinary approach, combining Dispersal Ecology, Foraging and Trophic Ecology, Microbiology and Clinical Pathology.

We focus on three generalist bird species highly associated with anthropogenic habitats and with different trophic habits: white stork, yellow-legged gull and cattle egret. We will test the hypothesis that populations more associated with human related habitats carry more plastic waste to natural habitats and will have higher levels of toxicants associated to health problems. We will quantify the plastic load from anthropogenic habitats to wetlands through the analysis of faeces, pellets and nests content, and will relate this information with the diet and foraging movement patterns of individuals. Stable isotope analysis will be used to evaluate diet, trophic level and niche size of birds.

The project will also explore the understudied ecotoxicological dimension of plastic pollution by assessing the levels of plasticizers and flame retardants in bird tissues and their effects on blood chemistry and morphometry as indicatives of bird health. IsoPlastic will improve the global assessment of plastic pollution risk in ecosystems generating knowledge on poorly understood aspects such as transport, toxicology and epidemiology.
Increasing the resilience of High Nature Value pastoral systems hosting wild and domestic ungulates

Principal investigator: Luis Santamaría

Contact: luis.santamaria@ebd.csic.es

https://www.csic.es/es/formacion-y-empleo/oportunidades-para-la-carrera-investigadora/pre20203-estrategias-para-optimizar

Pastoral livestock production systems are present in many areas of the world, often in areas of High Nature Value, including many protected areas. In these areas, livestock practices must seek a balance that ensures both the long-term sustainability of the farm and the conservation of the ecosystems that support it. In areas of pronounced seasonality, such as the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions of Europe, achieving this balance is particularly difficult due to perceptual and management constraints caused by large climatic fluctuations (e.g. temperature and precipitation), both seasonal and inter-annual, which in turn cause large changes in plant production.

The solution to this dilemma is complex, involving either the use of very conservative stocking rates (low enough to avoid overgrazing in dry years) or the development of flexible systems based on dynamic adjustment of stocking rates and space use by livestock (and/or wild ungulates) in response to changes in plant production. The development of such strategies and tools is particularly valuable today, as climate change will exacerbate extreme weather events, causing an amplification of the processes described above. The RESILGRAZE project proposes to combine an interdisciplinary battery of study methods and techniques.
Effects of fire on ants at the ecosystem level. Mediterranean resilience?

PID2022-138420NB-I00

Principal Investigators: Xim Cerdà y Paco Azcárate

Contacts: xim@ebd.csic.es and fm.azcarate@uam.es

https://www.csic.es/es/formacion-y-empleo/oportunidades-para-la-carrera-investigadora/pre2023-efectos-del-fuego-sobre-las-0

The thesis is part of the PGC project (PID2022-138420NB-I00) "Short- and medium-term ecosystem effects of fire. Arthropods, mammals, plants and soil: Mediterranean resilience?" and focuses on how fire affects the organisation of ant communities, their participation in food webs and ecosystem functions.

Working areas: burned pine forests of the Central and Andalusian systems, and plots of scrubland in the Doñana Biological Reserve that were subjected to prescribed burning. The specific objectives are: Is there an effect of the age or geographical location of the fire on the organisation, structure and functionality of ant communities? Does the presence of ant mounds have a different effect on the physico-chemical properties of burned and unburned soils, and does this effect depend on the ant species? After the fire, is the participation of ants in the different trophic interactions modified? Does the age since the fire influence these modifications? Do ants participate in some processes of vegetation regeneration after the fire, and does this participation vary according to the time since the fire?

A graphical summary of the thesis research project (11 slides; 16Mb) can be downloaded at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/115JBkZYDWTWKTjHMCDo8NyPX_rk8CylJ/edit?
Exploitation and cooperation in temporally and spatially-structured seed-disperser mutualisms: integrating functional webs and spatially explicit individual-based modelling

PID2022-142067NB-I00

Principal Investigator: José María Fedriani

Contact: fedriani@ebd.csic.es

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Postdoc estudiando cómo la endogamia a influenciado la evolución del cráneo del bisonte europeo 🦬

Oferta compartida por Nuria

An evolutionary biologist is required for a Post-doc position within a grant ‘Historical morphometrics of the European bison skulls and its association with species inbreeding increase’. The project will be realized at the Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland.

Summary and objectives of the project

European bison is a species of unique demographic history. It has been through an extremely severe bottleneck in the 1920s. The whole contemporary population originates from a meager group of founders. Just two of them turned out to be predominant, and their share in the contemporary gene pool is above 80%. The effects are extremely low genetic variation (Wójcik et al., 2009; Tokarska et al., 2009; Tokarska et al., 2011) and highly increased inbreeding level, reaching 75% (Pertoldi et al., unpublished). Although increased inbreeding is regarded as an important factor affecting the viability of a population, resulting in lowered genetic differentiation and decreased fitness, its impact on the European bison seems milder than might be expected. Long term fertility coefficients are stable and satisfactory (Krasińska i Krasiński, 2017) and no indisputable inbreeding depression symptoms are observed (Tokarska et al., 2011). The reported potential inbreeding depression symptoms are related to skeleton conformation. Baranov et al. (1997) reported signs of developmental instability of skull morphology in the European bison skulls and indicated developmental instability as essential for characterizing the condition of the population. Analyses of fluctuating symmetry of the European bison,
associated with genetic diversity (Makowiecka, 1994) suggest that the Białowieża line of the European bison had the lowest, unbeneficial, developmental instability as the result of inbreeding. Until recently,
the only method of estimating inbreeding level was pedigree analysis – a rough and inaccurate method. The development of genomic techniques enables precise calculation of inbreeding level using high density SNP(single nucleotide polymorphism) set. This method has been successfully used in the European bison studies and allowed for the first, accurate inbreeding calculations, using ROH (Runs of Homozygosity) analyses (Iacolina et al., 2016, Pertoldi et al., unpublished) This project enables the actual effect of extreme inbreeding on skull conformation in a historical context to be estimated, by association of genomic and morphometric data in one of the most inbred mammals known – the European bison. We will use hundreds of 3D skull scans from European collections and museums and juxtaposition them with their inbreeding level information based on SNP markers. The objective of the project is to specify whether and in what extent inbreeding level shaped the skull conformation of European bison individuals by answering three questions: Has the morphometry of the skull fluctuated over time? Has the growing inbreeding of the European bison influenced its skull morphometry? If yes,

what morphometric skull features have been affected by growing inbreeding? 

The working environment 

Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences (MRIPAS) in Białowieża, funded in 1952, conducts research in the field of ecology, ethology, morphology, population genetics as well as population management and conservation of mammals and other terrestrial vertebrates. The mission of the Institute is to acquire, advance, and disseminate knowledge of natural patterns and processes in
order to improve the scientific basis for effective nature conservation activities and sustainable development. We focus mainly on Białowieża Primeval Forest (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site) as a study area, but also on other regions of Poland and Europe. The Institute employs 60 people, including researchers, PhD students, and qualified technical and office staff.

We provide

1. 4-years contract;
2. Work in a friendly research team, in a well-equipped and organized laboratory with support and supervision of competent colleagues;
3. The possibility of effective scientific development through cooperation with the best world research centres;
4. Participation in an interesting scientific project with travelling opportunities;
5. The possibility to apply for inexpensive accommodation in MRI PAS flats.

Post-doc tasks and duties within the project

1. Writing scientific papers and participating in relevant conferences and workshops.
2. Supervising PhD students.
3. Performing genome-wide association analysis based on the genomic data and morphometrical measurements on European bison skulls, preferably using GoldenHelix or Plink softwares.
4. Visualisation of the data, presenting results and preparing manuscripts.

Requirements

1. PhD in bioinformatics or genomics.
2. Experience in bioinformatic research, experience in Plink or GoldenHelix applications.
3. Team cooperation skills.
4. Fluent spoken and written English.
5. Fun and excitement from performing science and presenting the results highly welcome.

Required documents:

1. CV and motivation letter.
2. Copy of PhD diploma.
3. Full-text version (pdf/word file) of your PhD thesis.
4. Information on the candidate’s scientific experience (specialization, research techniques, and achievements (including list of publications and reports) (max. 500 words).
5. An opinion from the academic tutor or/and previous scientific employer.
6. Declaration of consent for processing of personal data (to be requested to tokarska@ibs.bialowieza.pl; only first signed page should be scanned and delivered through e-mail).

Conditions of employment
Post-doc salary of 6200.00 złotych netto / month = approx. 1300 Euro netto. This is the highest allowed salary for PhD in the NCN project. As living in Poland is cheaper that in Western Europe, this ensures quite satisfactory standard of living.
Project will last 4 years, starting summer 2023 and finish summer 2027. Position is full time, but can be realized partly remote.
The recruitment rules will follow NCN regulations. The selection will be based on the qualifications of the candidates including scientific achievements, experience, awards, internships, skills and competences. An interview will be part of the selection of candidates. Recruitment is a two-stage process and includes: 1) evaluation of candidates’ documentation and 2) an interview with selected candidates (you will be asked to shortly present your PhD thesis).

Applications should be sent directly to Małgorzata Tokarska by letter or electronically by 31st August 2023. The selected candidates will be invited to an online or stationary interview and the decision will be announced by 10th September 2023.

For any information contact:
Małgorzata Tokarska PhD – project leader
Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences
ul. Stoczek 1, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
e-mail: tokarska@ibs.bialowieza.pl
phone +48 85682 77 61

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Postdoc en genética evolutiva usando el veneno como modelo

Oferta compartida por Nuria

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in evolutionary genetics of venom

We are searching for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to run an evolutionary genetics experiment studying the molecular genetic underpinnings of evolvability using venom as a model. The fellowship will be for a period of three years and is affiliated with the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis at the University of Oslo Department of Biosciences.

The person will be working in the Undheim group, where we are interested in questions in evolutionary biology that relate to how evolutionary innovations and novelties emerge and how they interact across levels of biological complexity. As relatively simple complex traits, venoms offer unique opportunities for studying molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of traits to respond to selection, i.e. their evolvability, which is currently a major focus of the group.

The successful candidate will be working mainly on the microevolutionary aspect of evolvability, studying the effects of trait integration and mutations on the evolvability and population-level divergence of venom and venom-associated molecular traits. The person will work in the interface between molecular evolution, evolutionary bioinformatics, and evolutionary quantitative genetics and use approaches such as analyses of venom- and non-venom-associated transcriptomic expression traits, venomics-guided gene regulatory network analyses, and analyses of mutation-accumulation experiments. Sampling and data analyses will be primarily based on from already collected samples or in-house lab cultures of lacewings, but the person will also have the opportunity to contribute to field-collection and breeding of lacewings as well as be involved in other aspects of studying venom evolvability.

The project will also involve collaboration with Prof. Thomas Hansen (CEES, UiO, Norway), Prof. Christophe Pélabon (NTNU, Norway), as well as other research groups both nationally and internationally.

We offer

• Salary NOK 544 400 – 563 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

Application deadline is 16th of April 2023, and preferred starting date is no later than 1st of September 2023.
 
For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit this link

For any other questions, please email Eivind Undheim: e.a.b.undheim@ibv.uio.no

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PhD para estudiar la evolución de los sistemas de apareamiento en animales

Oferta compartida por Cristina

Open PhD position in our lab!

A complex systems approach to understanding the evolution of animal mating systems

Understanding the drivers of diverse animal mating systems remains a key challenge in evolutionary biology. In particular, monogyny, where males mate with a single female during their lifetime, remains an evolutionary puzzle because male animals typically maximise reproductive success by mating with multiple females. Monogynous mating systems consist of multiple life history and behavioural traits, including dramatic adaptations such as the lifelong fusing of tiny male anglerfish to a female or the spontaneous death of a male during mating to form a whole-body mating plug in garden spiders. However, intricate correlations between system elements make it difficult to understand their roles in mating system evolution.

Using Dolomedes fishing spiders as a model system, the PhD candidate will gain insight into the evolutionary pathways to monogyny by first developing a framework that enables the use of complex systems analysis to explore mating system evolution. They will also conduct a series of field and lab assays to quantify the behaviour and life history of New Zealand Dolomedes spiders. Together with data from several other Dolomedes spiders from around the globe, the PhD student will then use network science and comparative phylogenetic methods to disentangle evolutionary patterns in mating systems.

This PhD position involves a combination of computer, lab and field work, with considerable opportunities to travel to field sites around New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. You will be supervised by Dr Chrissie Painting (University of Waikato), Dr Dion O’Neale (University of Auckland), Professor Eileen Hebets (University of Nebraska), and Professor Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology in Slovenia), with opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and communities in New Zealand and abroad.

We are seeking an independent and highly motivated applicant with:An Honours or MSc degree in evolutionary ecology, animal behaviour or environmental science
Experience in ecological field work and/or lab and field experiments
Strong statistical analysis skills (preferably in R)
Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
An open mind and a general willingness to learn and work in a team
A full driver’s license

This is a fully funded PhD position for 3 years (an annual stipend of $35,000, plus tuition fees and research costs). We encourage both international and domestic students to apply for this position, which will be based in the Invertebrate Behavioural Ecology lab at the University of Waikato in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand. Kirikiriroa is a relatively small but vibrant town to live and work, offering a fantastic mix of rural and city life. It is also centrally located in the North Island of New Zealand, making it a great base from which to travel the North Island. The successful student would ideally start by June 2023.

Interested candidates should send applications as a single PDF document comprising 1) a letter of motivation that clearly outlines your interest in the advertised project, 2) a curriculum vitae, including scientific publications if applicable, 3) academic transcripts, and 4) contact details for two academic references to Dr Chrissie Painting (chrissie.painting@waikato.ac.nz). Deadline for applications: 31st March 2023 23:00 NZST

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¿Tu especialidad son nuevas tecnologías (IA y Data Science) aplicadas al estudio de la ecología, la evolución, la genética y las ciencias de la salud, y te gusta la enseñanza? Echa un vistazo a estas dos ofertas 👀

Oferta compartida por Nuria

Role 1- Teaching Fellow - Centre of Excellence for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Modelling (DAIM)

We are recruiting Biologists studying Ecology, Evolution and Genetics using Data Science and AI approaches. We are significantly investing and contributing to the AI world of today and tomorrow - and this investment brings a fantastic opportunity for seven Teaching Fellows to join us at the Centre of Excellence on a permanent basis.

The ideal candidates will have excellent communication and personal supervision skills and be able to engage, motivate and support students. They will be expected to make significant contributions to supporting the academic progress of students, to support teaching, and to deliver a positive impact on the student experience. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to provide teaching support across a number of subject areas relevant to DAIM and who complement and enhance the overall disciplinary balance within DAIM.

Ultimately, we are an education institution - it's our bread and butter! Ideally you will hold a good degree, and a PhD or equivalent, with experience in teaching and research. However, we also recognise the value that significant and relevant work experience can bring to an individual's skill set, particularly, if you have experience in at least one aspect of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or Python programming.

Teaching Fellows will contribute to support of students in a pastoral role, undertake computer laboratory work, and will create and supervise student projects. They will contribute to the delivery and administration of assessment activities. The University of Hull embraces e-learning technologies, the post holders will be expected to fully engage with our virtual learning environment in addition to working with students in person.

We are delighted to be in a leading position during this latest industrial revolution, and to be able to recruit the future education, research, and business-interfacing leaders of tomorrow. We hope that you feel inspired to come and join us.

The role of Teaching Fellow is being advertised at band 7 and band 8. Please click below which role you wish to apply for. If you wish to be considered for more than one band, you will need to submit a separate online application form for each position.

To discuss this role informally please contact Dr Kevin Pimbblet (Director) at k.pimbblet@hull.ac.uk

https://jobs.hull.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=UOH-TA-0022


Role 2 - Lecturer in the Centre of Excellence for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Modelling (DAIM) - Medicine and Health

We are significantly investing and contributing to the AI world of today and tomorrow - and this investment brings a fantastic opportunity for a Lecturer to join us at the Centre of Excellence on a permanent basis. 

The ideal candidate will build our research and knowledge exchange strengths within DAIM, along with enhancing academic support and teaching provision for our students. After all, you'll be educating the next generation of data scientists and artificial intelligence practitioners, responding to the increasing need in this field, and conducting high quality research which cuts across traditional disciplinary departmental and faculty boundaries.

We are looking for outstanding individuals with expertise in data science or systems biology as applied to large complex data sets with the life sciences, to support specialist areas within the Hull York Medical School.
We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who have an interest in Artificial Intelligence or Data Science coupled with qualifications and skills that suit the following specialist areas:

• Analysis of large 'omic data-sets, including single cell RNASeq, nanopore sequencing, hypernetwork analysis, transcriptomic and epigenomic modelling and RNA Velocity
• Interrogation of proteomic data sets and alignment to transcriptome
• Experience of metabolomic data and network modelling
• Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning in
• image analysis

DAIM Lecturers will be expected to undertake research and/or knowledgeexchange activities within the fields of Data Science, Modelling,and/or Artificial Intelligence in areas including, but not limited to: modelling & numerical analysis, high performance computing, data science,machine learning, and computer science & visualisation. Ultimately, we are an education institution - it's our bread and butter! Ideally you will hold a good degree, and a PhD or equivalent, with experience in teaching and research in at least one aspect of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. However, we also recognise the value that significant and relevant work experience can bring to an individual's skill set. All applicants should have Python Programming skills.

The role of Lecturer is being advertised at band 7 and band 8.
If you wish to be considered for more than one band, you will need to submit a separate online application form for each position.

https://jobs.hull.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=UOH-TA-0023

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Postdoc en evolución de aves y reconstrucción de su árbol filogenético

Oferta compartida por Cristina

Research Fellow 

Ref Number B02-04218 

Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02) Location London Working Pattern Full time Salary £38,308- £46,155 Contract Type Fixed-term Working Type Hybrid (20% - 80% on site) Available for Secondment No Closing Date 16-Jan-2023


About us


Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Felice Lab within the Centre for Integrative Anatomy (CIA). The CIA was established in 2019 to foster research on the evolutionary drivers of anatomical change in vertebrate (back-boned) animals. Its focus is on form- function relationships in the vertebrate skeleton and associated organs (including the brain), working at macro- and microscales, and in both developmental and deep time. CIA research is interdisciplinary, exploiting advances in new computational and imaging approaches.


About the role


We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on the evolution and diversification of birds, more specifically on diversification dynamics in fossil and modern birds.

The main purpose will be to incorporate extinct bird species into composite phylogenetic trees and apply Bayesian tip-dating methods to estimate divergence times on these phylogenies. As part of this role, you will travel for 1-2 weeks to University of California, Berkeley to receive training in the RevBayes statistical programming language. Upon returning to UCL, you will transfer this training to CIA members by running local workshops.

This is a fixed-term role, starting from 01/03/2023 until 30/09/2023. The start date can be postponed to 01/06/2023 if necessary, but no later.

Please note that appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £34,502 - £36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Ryan Felice at ryan.felice@ucl.ac.uk.
If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk.


About you



You must have a strong background in phylogenetic comparative methods and/or systematics, demonstrable experience using R and a familiarity with modelling trait evolution and/or speciation/extinction rates.

You will be expected to contribute to the project in the area of modelling of trait-dependent diversification dynamics using Bayesian modelling and fossilized birth-death processes. In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will communicate results as scientific papers.

You will have a PhD (or be studying towards it) in biology, ecology, or paleontology. Experience with Bayesian statistics (MrBayes, RevBayes) or diversification modelling is desirable.


What we offer



As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.


Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion



As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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Un postdoc de lo más chulo observando y estudiando selección natural (análisis fenotípicos y morfológicos)

Oferta compartida por Nuria

A Postdoctoral Fellowship, funded for up to five years, is available within the Division of Evolutionary Ecology (http://www.ee.iee.unibe.ch/index_eng.html) led by Professor Catherine (Katie) Peichel at the University of Bern, Switzerland on a recently funded Swiss National Science Foundation project “FITNESS: Forward-In-Time Natural Experimental Study of Selection”. In this project, we have put over 10,000 stickleback fish into eight empty lakes in Alaska. Using whole-genome sequencing data from these founding fish and knowledge about the ecology of the lakes, we will determine whether the genotypes and the phenotypes of the fish change in a repeatable and predictable way over eight generations.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be responsible for leading the phenotypic axis of the project, which will involve yearly fieldwork in Alaska, phenotypic analyses of thousands of fish, and sophisticated multivariate analyses. This project is being carried out in collaboration with Rowan Barrett and Andrew Hendry (McGill University, Canada) and Dan Bolnick (University of Connecticut, USA), and the Postdoctoral Fellow will have an opportunity for extended visits to these collaborating groups. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also work closely with a Bioinformatician in the Division of Evolutionary Ecology, who will be responsible for leading the genomic axis of the project.

The Division of Evolutionary Ecology is a dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary group. We are part of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Bern in Switzerland. The Institute currently has seven research divisions spanning a broad range of research in ecology and evolution including conservation biology, behavioural ecology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, population and evolutionary genomics, and evolutionary theory. Across these divisions, there is a shared interest in the mechanisms that underlie adaptation to changing environments. The Postdoctoral Fellow will have ample opportunities for interactions and collaborations with an international community of graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and professors. The University of Bern is situated near the heart of the beautiful old city, and the quality of life in Bern is very high.

Candidates must be highly motivated and creative, able to work both independently and collaboratively, and have a strong background in evolutionary biology, morphological analyses, and multivariate statistical analyses. Experience in fieldwork and/or knowledge of aquatic ecosystems is a plus. Candidates must have excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, which is the working language of our institute. A PhD is required. This position is open to applicants worldwide. We are committed to increasing diversity, equity and inclusiveness in evolutionary biology and especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

The starting date for the Postdoctoral Fellow is as early as 1 February 2023. The Postdoctoral Fellow must be available for fieldwork in Alaska from 25 May to 10 June 2023. The starting salary is approximately 88,000 CHF (dependent on experience) and includes social security contributions.

Applicants must submit one merged PDF file that includes a letter of motivation, a CV, names of two referees who have agreed to provide a letter if contacted, and copies of relevant publications and/or preprints by 5 December 2022 to Prof. Catherine Peichel: catherine.peichel@unibe.ch

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