PhD student position in Whole-genome sequencing and genotyping of non-model Eukaryotes for evolutionary biology

* Project description

New generation sequencing technologies offer exciting new prospects for
studying evolution, but also create great challenges related to the large
amount of sequence data to be analysed in a single project. We seek a
PhD candidate that will work on developing software pipelines for whole
genome sequencing and analyse genomic variation for non model organisms,
for several evolutionary biology projects. The projects involved concern
(1) investigating adaptation of an herbivorous insect to its host plant
at the genomic level, (2) inferring demographic history of various plant
species from genomic variation, and (3) identification of candidate sex
pheromones from transcriptome sequencing.

* Promotor information

The student will work at the Interuniversity Institute of
Bioinformatics in Brussels (IB)2 (http://ibsquare.be), located
on the campus of the Universit�� Libre de Bruxelles (ULB),
and will enrol at both ULB, with promotor Patrick Mardulyn
(http://ebe.ulb.ac.be/) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), with
promotor Tom Lenaerts (http://www.ulb.ac.be/di/map/tlenaert). Other
co-promotors will supervise specific aspects of the research:
Olivier Hardy (ULB, http://ebe.ulb.ac.be/), Ludwig Triest (VUB,
http://www.vub.ac.be/APNA/staff/Triest/), Guillaume Smits (ULB,
http://ibsquare.be), and Franky Bossuyt (VUB, http://www.amphibia.be).

* Student skills

The ideal candidate has a Masters Degree with a strong background
in bioinformatics, with good programming and statistical skills,
and a good understanding of the processes that govern biological
evolution. Because the PhD candidate is expected to contribute to several
projects, his ability to communicate and collaborate with others is
essential. In general, the (IB)2 is a highly collaborative environment,
and good interpersonal skills and an open attitude are expected. The
candidate should also be fluent in English, the main language of the
institute. Note that some language requirements (related to knowledge
of english or dutch) have to be fulfilled for enrolment at the VUB
(http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infofor/prospectivestudents/languagetest.html).

* Important note

We can only guarantee one year of funding; prospects exist for full
4 years funding, but this will depend on the success of project grant
applications and/or on personal grant applications by the candidate. Full
support will be provided by the promotors to succeed with these personal
grant applications.

* Interested?

Please send a CV, letter of motivation, and contact information of two
references to Patrick Mardulyn (pmarduly@ulb.ac.be). Further enquiries
about the position can be directed to the same address. The candidate
is expected to start 1st October 2014 and the position will be filled
as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Patrick Mardulyn
Evolutionary Biology and ecology, CP 160/12
Free University of Brussels (ULB) 
av. FD Roosevelt 50
1050 Brussels
Belgium

Phone: (32)(2)6502649
Fax: (32)(2)6502445
e-mail: pmarduly@ulb.ac.be

homepage: homepages.ulb.ac.be/~pmarduly/
lab website: http://ebe.ulb.ac.be/ebe/ebe-Welcome.html

Patrick