Graduate position: AMU_Poznan.MHCEvolutionGuppy

Graduate position: AMU_Poznan.MHCEvolutionGuppy

PhD position in evolutionary biology is available for four years starting
from 1st October 2014 in a project “Testing new MHC allele advantage in
semi-natural populations of the guppy, Poecillia reticulata”. This
collaborative project is led by Professor Jacek Radwan (Adam Mickiewicz
University, Poznan), Dr Cock van Oosterhout (University of East Anglia) and
Dr Joanne Cable (Cardiff University, School of Biosciences), and is funded
by Polish Science Centre (NCN).

Genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), involved in parasite
recognition, are crucial for the adaptive immune response in vertebrates.
While theories explaining maintenance of MHC polymorphism have been
proposed decades ago, empirical tests of some of the most influential
hypotheses are scant. Most notably, predictions about frequency-dependent
selection (i.e. the hypothesis that rare MHC alleles should be selected for
because fast-evolving parasites will adapt to evade immune recognition by
common MHC alleles) have not been rigorously tested.  The aim of this
project is to test crucial predictions of this hypothesis using
semi-natural populations of the guppy, Poecilia reticulata. The project
will be based on Tobago and will use mesocosm setups to trace frequencies
of MHC alleles, and infection levels associated with them, over several
generations.

The PhD student will be mostly responsible for molecular analyses, but help
in running the field experiment at Tobago is also possible.

The candidate should hold MSc degree in biological sciences. Applicants
should provide the following documents:

1) Application letter
2) Copy of MSc diploma
3) CV
4) Motivation letter including description of scientific interests
5) Information on scientific activities of the candidate, including list
   of publications, active conference participation, work in scientific
   societies, honors and awards, national and international internships
6) Transcript of exam result during under graduate and 2nd level studies.
7) Information on language skills
8) Medical certificate stating candidate’s suitability to undertake
   PhD studies in biology
9) Personal questionnaire
10) Two photos 35x45 mm

To:
Dziekanat Wydziału Biologii
Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza
Ul. Umultowska 89
61-614 Poznań
by 3rd July; Interviews will be held between  8th and 11th July.

Further information can be obtained from the project leader via email:
jradwan@amu.edu.pl

j.w.radwan@gmail.com