Postdoc position in Evolutionary Ecology & Genomics of Maternal Effects University of Zurich, Switzerland

Postdoc position in Evolutionary Ecology & Genomics of Maternal Effects
University of Zurich, Switzerland

My group combines complementary approaches from behavioural and 
evolutionary ecology, ecophysiology and genomics to understand the 
evolution and evolutionary consequences of prenatal maternal effects in 
different bird system. Within this project, I have a postdoc position 
available to investigate the genetic basis of prenatal maternal 
investment using established Japanese quail selection lines for high and 
low maternal egg investment.

Goal of the project is to identify genomic regions associated with 
differential maternal investment, and to link DNA sequence and gene 
expression variation with the physiological and ecological phenotype of 
mothers from high and low investment lines to obtain an integrative 
understanding of the molecular and physiological architecture underlying 
variation in maternal reproductive strategies. Side projects based on 
the selection lines are possible and encouraged.

The ideal candidate for this project has a background in evolutionary 
biology, behavioural ecology and / or genetics, and previous experience 
with genomics and bioinformatics (or a very strong interest to learn). 
The postdoc will be based at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and 
Environmental Studies of the University of Zurich, providing ample 
opportunities for collaborations and interactions with researchers 
working in related and complementary fields (http://www.ieu.uzh.ch). The 
institute is very international and the working language is English.

The position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation for the 
duration of two years (gross salary CHF 94'000 per annum). The ideal 
starting date is early 2015.

Applications should include 1) a cover letter outlining your motivation 
to work on this project as well as relevant experience, 2) a detailed 
curriculum vitae, and 3) the contact details of three academic referees. 
Send the above as a single .pdf file to barbara.tschirren@ieu.uzh.ch

Review of applications will start on November 1st 2014, but candidates 
will be considered until the position is filled.

For more information, feel free to contact me!

Prof. Dr. Barbara Tschirren
Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zurich   Switzerland

Email: barbara.tschirren@ieu.uzh.ch
http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/staff/professors/tschirren.html

barbara.tschirren@ieu.uzh.ch