A PhD position is available in the laboratory of Erik Dopman in the Department of Biology at Tufts University.

Our research is a collaborative  project with Rick Harrison at Cornell University, and the successful applicant will be part of a larger team at both Cornell and Tufts.

Our work focuses on the evolution of barriers to gene exchange during
speciation. We apply a combination of comparative and experimental
approaches using the European corn borer moth as a model system. Corn
borers are a textbook example of incipient speciation, in which one
species splits into two through the evolution of multiple forms of
reproductive isolation. Of 12 potential isolating barriers between corn
borer "strains," seven significantly reduce gene flow and five are either
behavioral or ecological in nature. Current efforts are to identify the
molecular genetic basis for traits contributing to reproductive isolation,
to characterize the evolutionary history of these traits, and to evaluate
the consequences of barrier loci on fitness and gene flow in nature.

We seek a creative and motivated graduate student to work on speciation,
adaptive evolution, or genome evolution. Students must have the
ability to work with others and a sense of humor. Undergraduate
coursework in evolutionary biology is required, as is prior research
experience. Relevant and highly desirable experience includes application
of molecular genetic techniques or computational analysis of gene or
genome data.

Relevant papers include:

Wadsworth, C.B., Woods, W.A., Jr, Hahn, D.A., and Dopman, E.B. (2013). One
phase of the dormancy developmental pathway is critical for the evolution
of insect seasonality. J Evolution Biol 26(11):2359-68

Dopman, E. B., P. S. Robbins and A. Seaman. 2010. Components of
reproductive isolation between North American pheromone strains of the
European corn borer. Evolution 64:881-902.

Dopman, E. B., L. Perez, S. Bogdanowicz and
R. G. Harrison. 2005. Consequences of reproductive barriers for
genealogical discordance in the European corn borer. PNAS 102:14706-14711.

Dopman, E. B., S. M. Bogdanowicz and R. G. Harrison. 2004. Genetic
mapping of sexual isolation between E and Z pheromone strains of the
European corn borer. Genetics 167:301-309.

The Dopman Lab (http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/labs/dopman/Default.htm)
is in the Department of Biology and is a member of Tufts' Collaborative
Cluster in Genome Structure and Developmental Patterning.  The Cluster
focuses on genome to organism research and is located at a new Tufts
facility on the main campus in Medford, MA.  With two additional Tufts
campuses (in Boston and Grafton), other research universities (Harvard,
MIT, BU), and the vibrant city of Boston all within reach, Medford and
Tufts are ideal places to live and work (http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/).

Interested individuals should contact Erik Dopman by e-mail
(erik.dopman@tufts.edu) and describe their research interests,
relevant educational background, and prior research experience. Also
include a CV with GPA/GRE scores and the names and contact information
of 2-3 references. Applications to the graduate program are due on
15 January, with departmental review occurring shortly thereafter.
See http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/graduate/index.asp for more information
on the graduate program. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Erik.Dopman@tufts.edu