A PhD position is available in the Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics Group at Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville (Spain) on Amphibian Evolutionary Genomics

A PhD position is available in the Conservation and Evolutionary 
Genetics Group at Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville (Spain) on 
Amphibian Evolutionary Genomics

The PhD position is part of the project: A stroll with amphibians along 
the path of speciation: from micro to macro evolutionary processes 
funded by the Spanish Government ("Procesos micro y macro evolutivos en 
la diversificación de anfibios", CGL2013-47547-P).

Recent years have seen an increase in the knowledge of the amphibian 
diversity in the Neotropics. Many new species are being described every 
year at the same time that many others become part of the lists of 
endangered species. However, little is known about the patterns and 
processes that explain this diversity. In this proposal we join the 
efforts of research groups in four countries (Spain, Sweden, Mexico, USA 
and Brazil) to study the origin of the diversity of amphibians at very 
different spatial and temporal scales and using diverse analytical 
approaches.
     We will assemble one transcriptome and use genomic approaches to 
study the demographic and evolutionary history of a genus of Neotropical 
frogs in the absence of a genome sequence of a closely related species 
that could be used as a reference. This genus includes species adapted 
to highland and lowland environments. We will investigate the 
phylogentic relationships between species, we will track demographic 
changes through time and their correspondence with habitat changes, and 
we will identify portions of the genome that are differentiated between 
populations with different degrees of isolation and that could indicate 
incipient speciation.

Methods:
-Transcriptome assembly, mapping sequences obtained with Next Generation 
Sequencing approaches, demographic inference.
-Analysis of population structure using genotyping-by-sequencing approaches.

Candidates:
-The candidate should have a masters degree or equivalent degree in 
Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Biotechnology or Bioinformatics
-Previous experience working with next-generation-sequencing data and 
bioinformatic analyses is highly desirable
-Analytically inclined, familiarity with work in a Linux/Unix 
environment is highly desirable. The project will require programming in 
Perl or Python and the analysis of large genomic databases
-Proficient in both written and spoken English
-Willing to work abroad (we expect that part of the work will be carried 
out in close collaboration with our Swedish colleagues)
-Dynamic, eager to learn and willing to participate in all the 
activities run by the research group (weekly meetings, seminars, 
discussions …)

The project does not include field work. Samples are already available 
in scientific collections.

For more information about the research group lines of work, please 
check: http://www.consevol.org/

Evaluation of applicants will be initially carried out by government 
agencies.
All applications should be submitted via (instructions in Spanish): 
webpage 


Candidates must also send documentation to Carles Vilà (before September 
22nd).

For further information please contact Prof. Carles Vilà (e-mail: 
carles.vila@ebd.csic.es)

Carles Vila