A 4 year PhD position is available at the Natural history Museum

A 4 year PhD position is available at the Natural history Museum (NHM),

University of Oslo (http://www.nhm.uio.no).

The subject of the PhD project is "Functional genomics of sperm phenotypes

and cryptic female choice in passerine birds". In many passerine bird

species, females copulate frequently with extra-pair mates, which implies

that sperm from different males compete for the same set of ova and

that there might be sperm-female interactions affecting the outcome of

sperm competition. This project takes a molecular approach to deepen our

understanding of the possible mechanisms involved in this form of sexual

selection at the gamete level. The project has two main goals, a) finding

molecular markers or genes associated with sperm performance traits, b)

test if females obtain good or compatible genes through extrapair mating,

in particular immune genes at the Major Histocompatibility Complex. The

project will adopt next-generation sequencing approaches for several

analyses, and utilize a large sample of already-collected DNA from

families of a few intensively studied species (e.g. willow warblers,

bluethroats and barn swallows). There will be little or no field work

but extensive analysis of molecular data for this project.

We seek a person with strong motivation and ability to define his/her

own research questions. The candidate must have wide interests in

molecular ecology/genetics and evolutionary biology, and good practical,

hands-on experience with relevant DNA methods. Good computing skills and

background in bioinformatics will be of advantage, in particular when

handling and analyzing large data sets emerging from next-generation

sequencing approaches. Applicants must hold a Master's degree or

equivalent in biology.

The position is affiliated with the Sex and Evolution Research Group

(SERG) at NHM (https://www.nhm.uio.no/english/research/groups/serg/). The

research team will also include scientists from Finland, Czech Republic

and USA.

For further information and instructions on how to apply, see:

http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1199917/71922?iso=no Application

deadline: 22 June 2014

Professor Jan T. Lifjeld

Natural History Museum

University of Oslo

P.O. Box 1172 Blindern

NO-0318 Oslo

Phone: +47-22851726

j.t.lifjeld@nhm.uio.no