Postdoc estudiando plasticidad adaptativa y la capacidad de evolución de las plantas

Oferta compartida por Nuria

The Finnish Museum of Natural History LUOMUS is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in ecology and evolutionary biology to join the Plant Adaptation and Conservation (PAC) group. The researcher will be employed for twelve months at the University of Helsinki starting latest on 1 Aug 2023. The position is located at LUOMUS.

The position is part of the research project "Will adaptive plasticity and evolvability help plants to survive in a changing climate", funded by the Academy of Finland. In this project, we combine approaches from ecology, ecophysiology and quantitative genetics to quantify variation in trait means and to compare capacity for adaptation in key functional traits of widespread and narrowly distributed species, and we contrast leading-edge, core, and trailing-edge populations. We analyse three interrelated key mechanisms for adaptive potential in plants: (i) standing intraspecific variation in phenotypic trait means and plasticity, (ii) phenotypic plasticity within individual life-cycles and across generations, and (iii) evolutionary potential of populations and species. 

This combination of range-wide surveys of multivariate trait variation and plasticity with in-depth studies of population-level evolutionary potential provides an approach towards novel knowledge-based conservation applications in a changing climate.

For the position, the appointee must have a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline and the ability to conduct independent scholarly work. The appointee must have a maximum of five years since the completion of their PhD. Possible career breaks (maternity, paternity, parental or childcare leave, military/civil service etc.) will be considered. If the applicant pleads these special reasons, they should be mentioned in the CV.

Further details on the position and application can be found here.

Further information can be obtained from the Vice-director of Luomus, Dr Marko-Tapio Hyvärinen marko.hyvarinen@helsinki.fi, +358 (0)2941 24440

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Estudia el comportamiento de aves de Nueva Caledonia: investigación centrada en biología reproductiva del cuco y su hospedador

Oferta compartida por Cristina

The role of early environment and physiology on phenotypic variation of nestlings in an avian coevolutionary arms race


We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join the Behavioural Ecology Group at the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw (Poland). The student will conduct research on the environmental and physiological mechanisms determining phenotypic variation in nestlings of fan-tailed gerygone (Gerygone flavolateralis) from New Caledonia.


Short description: In New Caledonia the brood-parasitic shining bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus) and its exclusive host the fan-tailed gerygone have nestlings occurring in two discrete colour morphs, either pink-grey (bright) or dark-grey (dark). The cuckoo nestlings mimic the gerygone nestlings but, despite mimicry and phenotypic variation, host parents discriminate and eject the cuckoo nestling from the nest. Our research has focused on the breeding biology of host and parasite, cognitive mechanisms underlying host’s recognition of the parasite nestling and genetic basis of nestling colour. However, we still know little about the role of ecological and physiological mechanisms in determining nestling phenotypic variation.

Work description: We will conduct fieldwork in a well-established site on the main island of Grand Terre in New Caledonia for 3-4 months per year during the period September – January. The objectives of the main research project will be to investigate if the host nestling phenotype 1) depends on the mother’s condition and changes in incubation patterns, 2) depends on nest environment during incubation and 3) is associated with physiological differences in immune and stress response. Additionally, the PhD candidate will have ample possibilities to develop complementary research. Depending on the student interests, it will be possible to participate in molecular work (genetics and corticosteroid analysis).

Salary: the project is financed by the Polish National Science Center and will grant a scholarship of 5000 PLN for 4 years.

Additional info: full description of the project, candidate requirements and additional info can be found at https://www.miiz.waw.pl/en/ogloszenia/oferty-pracy

How to apply: please send 1) cover letter (max 1 page), 2) CV with contact details of 2 referees, 3) copy of the M.Sc. certificate and 4) filled application form to the BioPlanet doctoral school (https://szkoladoktorska-bioplanet.pl/en/downloadable-forms/) to dr. Alfredo Attisano (aattisano@miiz.waw.pl). Deadline: 26/02/2023

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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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Pasa una temporada trabajando con carbonero montano como asistente de campo

Oferta compartida por Nuria

The Division of Evolutionary Biology at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany (see https://evol.bio.lmu.de/research/j_wolf/index.html), is seeking a field assistant (m/f/d) to begin work in February until June 2022.

The assistant will collect phenotypic data on alpine and willow tits (Poecile montanus montanus and P. m. salicarius) across a 70 km wide hybrid zone in one of Germany’s nicest landscapes in the foothills of the Alps.

The activities will include:

• catching birds using mist nets
• measuring and banding birds
• recording song
• data collection, entry, and management

The successful candidate must have experience in catching and handling birds, including extensive experience in mist netting. Applicants should also be highly motivated and well organized, with capabilities of working independently.

The working language is either English or German. A full, clean driver’s license is essential, with driving experience of at least one year. Experience in driving vehicles with manual transmission is also a necessity. Applicants from outside the EU must ensure they are eligible to remain in Europe for the duration of their contract.

Vaccination against Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE or FSME) before commencing the field work is recommended to all successful candidates. In addition, applicants should be aware that Lyme disease spread by ticks is common in the area, and should inform themselves about the disease in advance.

Review of applications and calls for interviews will begin as applications come in. Please apply (including your CV and a short cover letter in one PDF document) via email to knief@bio.lmu.de 

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Postdoc comparando plasticidad fenotípica y adaptaciones térmicas con anfibios como modelo.

Oferta compartida por Nuria

A two-year position as a postdoctoral researcher in ecological genomics at Animal ecology/Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University.

The post-doc position is available in the Swedish Research Council-funded project ‘Evolution along environmental gradients: does non-adaptive plasticity drive climate adaptation and species range limits?’ The goal is to understand the relative roles of phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation for thermal performance at different spatial scales using natural amphibian populations as models. Previous studies in these systems have shown the importance of countergradient variation in local climatic adaptation. The successful candidate will conduct laboratory experiments and gene expression analyses with populations collected along replicated climatic gradients in northern Europe to characterize plasticity along the geographical range of the moor frog. In addition, the candidate will participate in genomic analyses of material collected earlier across smaller spatial scales.

The position is available at the research group of Prof Anssi Laurila https://www.ieg.uu.se/animal-ecology/Research+groups/laurila-lab/

Qualifications required: PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in of evolutionary ecology, ecological genetics, molecular ecology or similar field. The PhD degree must have been obtained no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Experience with molecular genetic analyses is a requirement for the position.

Deadline to apply is 2021-11-08. Starting date 2022-01-10, or as agreed.

Uppsala is a great town to live in, and the Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems. For more information, see www.ieg.uu.se.

For more information and how to apply see https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/details/?positionId=435296 or contact Anssi Laurila, anssi.laurila@ebc.uu.se 

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Postdoc estudiando la relación entre genotipo y fenotipo en el Institute of Integrative Biology (ETH Zurich)

Oferta compartida por Nuria

The Computational Biology group in the Institute of Integrative Biology at ETH Zurich, led by Joshua L. Payne, is hiring a postdoctoral researcher with funding for up to two years. The group is broadly interested in evolution, particularly in the relationship between genotype and phenotype, and the role of mutation in the generation of adaptive phenotypic variation. We study these topics at multiple scales of information transmission from DNA to protein, with an emphasis on transcriptional regulation and translation. A predefined project centered around these topics is available, but we are also open to defining a project around the applicant's interests.

The group is currently made up of four PhD students and one postdoc. Interdisciplinarity is key to our research and this shows in our team composition, with backgrounds in physics, biophysics, computer science, developmental biology, and evolution. We value diversity - at present we represent four continents - and we strive to maintain a 50-50 gender balance. Applicants from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will have experience in some form of computational science, a passion for evolutionary biology, and a Ph.D. in a related discipline (math, physics, bioinformatics, computer science, life sciences). Fluency in a major programming language is essential, as is the ability to work both autonomously and cooperatively within an interdisciplinary, multicultural team. Experience modeling evolutionary processes or analyzing large-scale biological datasets, such as from functional genomics assays or massively parallel sequence-to-function assays, is a plus. We will begin considering applications immediately with the aim of a September 1st, 2021 start date. Later start dates are
also possible.

To be considered for the position, please send a single pdf file to joshua.payne@env.ethz.ch including your CV, publication list, a single-paged statement of research interests, and contact information for 2-3 academic references. Please write Postdoc2021 in the subject line.

Representative papers from the group:
Cano et al. (2021) "Mutation bias shapes the spectrum of adaptive substitutions." bioRxiv
Rozhonova & Payne (2021) "Little evidence the standard genetic code is optimized for resource conservation." bioRxiv
Majic & Payne (2020) "Enhancers facilitate the birth of de novo genes and gene integration into regulatory networks." Molecular Biology and Evolution, 37, 1165-1178.
Payne et al. (2019) "Transition bias influences the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis." PLoS Biology, 17, e3000265.
Payne & Wagner (2019) $B!H (BThe causes of evolvability and their evolution. $B!I (B Nature Reviews Genetics, 20, 24-38.

Group website: joshualevipayne.com

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