Reconstructing the evolutionary history of ecological dynamics and extinction risk in Procellariiform seabirds

Three competitive PhD studentship opportunities are available
in evolutionary and ecological genetics at Durham University,
UK. These 3.5-year fellowships provide a full tuition fee waiver at
Durham University, a competitive living stipend, and a considerable
research allowance. For more information about these projects see here

or contact Dr. Andreanna Welch at a.j.welch@durham.ac.uk.

1) Reconstructing the evolutionary history of ecological dynamics and
extinction risk in Procellariiform seabirds

During their evolutionary history, birds have colonized the open oceans
beyond the continental shelves only rarely. The Procellariiformes
(albatrosses, shearwaters, storm- petrels, etc.) are by far the largest
group of oceanic birds, but their molecular phylogeny is poorly known. As
part of an international collaboration, the student will use capture
enrichment and next generation sequencing methods to collect a rich
genomic dataset and resolve the phylogeny of all extant and recently
extinct Procellariiformes, at and below the species level. This will
advance our understanding of the evolutionary history of oceanic birds,
allow exploration of the role of ecology in diversification, and inform
conservation management of this globally-threatened group.

Eligibility: All nationalities Deadline for consideration: January
4th, 2016

2) The effects of maternal stress response and microbiome on seal pup
condition and survival Co-supervised with Sean Twiss

Maternal effects are now recognised as important contributors to
phenotypic variation. One potential mechanism that has been largely
overlooked is via the transfer of beneficial bacteria during birth and
through lactation. Studies in humans have shown that these bacteria
provide many health benefits to the young, but that communities
transferred can be influenced by the mother¢s condition and stress
level. Adult grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) exhibit consistent
individual differences in behaviour with some mothers showing high
levels of responsiveness to stressors while others show little. The
student will apply recently developed metagenomic techniques to
investigate this potential short-term fitness consequence of maternal
coping style. Seals are among the few animal species for which coping
styles have been identified and linked with fitness consequences in wild
populations. However, the mechanisms through which behavioural responses
to stress modulate offspring condition and survival remain essentially
unknown. Given that wildlife are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic
influences, and that behaviour is often the first form of response to
environmental changes, this project will provide important insights
towards understanding how stress may influence individual fitness as
well as future population trajectories.

Eligibility: Primarily UK nationals Deadline for consideration: January
15th, 2016

3) Tracking the impact of Holocene environmental change in Patagonia
on pinniped distribution, abundance and dispersion using ancient DNA
Co-supervised with Rus Hoelzel

When environments change, as during the current process of anthropogenic
climate change, regional populations may respond by migrating to
track suitable habitat, they may expand, decline or go extinct, or
they may adapt. In this study the student will employ next generation
sequencing methods, ancient DNA, and coalescent analyses to determine
past demographic profiles of two sympatric pinniped species with
contrasting life histories along the coast of Patagonia, a region
of major transitions during the Holocene. Thus students will have
the opportunity to test hypotheses about the importance of various
environmental parameters. Understanding these dynamics will become
increasingly critical for effective management and nature reserve design
to promote conservation in the future as environments change.  This will
also improve our understanding of the process of biodiversity evolution,
which is determined by both effective population size and connectivity.

Eligibility: Primarily UK nationals Deadline for consideration: January
22nd, 2016

Durham University is consistently rated as one of the top 100 universities
in the world. Located in northeast England, the university is situated
in a scenic town and lies within a 20-minute train ride of the thriving
city of Newcastle. The department offers a supportive research-driven
environment with projects ranging from the cellular to the ecosystem
level. For more information see here .

To apply please send an email to a.j.welch@durham.ac.uk with 1) a two-page
covering letter detailing your reasons for applying and why you have
selected this project, 2) your current CV with contact information for
at least two references, 3) Full transcripts of previous qualifications
obtained to date. Only the best applicants will be asked to submit
an application.

"WELCH A.J." 

PhD opportunity N.Ariz.U.: Evolutionary ecology /Epigenetics/Global Change Impacts/Conifers

NArizU.Epigenetics.Conifers.GlobalChange

PhD opportunity N.Ariz.U.: Evolutionary ecology /Epigenetics/Global
Change Impacts/Conifers

We anticipate filling two Ph.D. positions to work on a NSF Macrosystems
Biology project at Northern Arizona University, “Collaborative
research: Blending ecology and evolution using emerging technologies to
determine species distributions with a non-native pathogen in a rapidly
changing climate�, to start in either June or August 2016. This
project is a multi-university collaboration examining the interacting
evolutionary and ecological responses of southwestern white pine (SWWP;
Pinus strobiformis) to climate change and an invasive pathogen from
local to regional scales.

A PhD positon in evolutionary ecology with emphasis on epigenetics will
be based in the Department of Biological Sciences under the supervision
of Dr. Amy Whipple with collaborators in the School of Forestry. This
graduate student would develop a project examining aspects of
epigenetic inheritance and modification in determining the traits of
SWWP related to phenology, drought, climate, or disease.

Three years of research assistantship funding (stipend + tuition and
health insurance) are available for each position; with additional
funding through teaching assistantships or possibly fellowships.  Start
date is June 1, 2016 or August 22, 2016. For more information contact
Amy Whipple, amy.whipple@nau.edu (928) 714-0409. Strong candidates may
qualify for the NAU Presidential Fellowship Program
(http://nau.edu/GradCol/Financing/Presidential-Fellowship-Program/) as
well.

To apply, submit graduate application to the NAU Biology Department and
a résumé and cover letter to either Amy Whipple. Review of
applications will begin immediately.

Amy Vaughn Whipple 

a funded PhD student position in comparative genomics of waterfowl

In the framework of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) 
for Organismal Biology at University of Konstanz, Germany, I am happy to 
advertise a funded PhD student position in comparative genomics of 
waterfowl. Together with other positions (topics in ecology, evolution, 
collective behaviour...) in this year's cohort I wish to invite you to 
read my detailed project discription online under

http://www.orn.mpg.de/3632382/Kraus2016

In brief, we will together analyse 50+ freshly created genomes of ducks, 
geese, and swans (and of course whatever else we find in the data bases 
for comparison) for either (or a combination of):

- Hybridisation/Speciation Genomics
- Evolutionary Genomics of the Immune System

Doesn't this sound great?
--> http://www.orn.mpg.de/3632382/Kraus2016

Contact robert.kraus@uni-konstanz.de for questions and I will either 
respond directly or redirect to the relevant person.

"robert.kraus@uni-konstanz.de" 

master's-level graduate students to participate in on-going studies of ant systematics, evolution, and biodiversity.

Towson University - Ant Agriculture and Paleomyrmecology

Seeking master's-level graduate students to participate in on-going
studies of ant systematics, evolution, and biodiversity.  The LaPolla
Lab at Towson University is recruiting graduates students to conduct
independent thesis projects on one of the two topics the lab is
currently focused on: studies on Acropyga ants & their mealybug
symbionts and paleomyrmecology.  Students would be expected to conduct
both lab and field work in a variety of settings.  Interested students
should contact Dr. John LaPolla at jlapolla@towson.edu well before the
deadline for a possible on-campus interview.  Deadline for submission
of application materials (Fall 2016 admission) is March 15, 2016.

For further information about the Towson University Biology Graduate
Program see:
http://wwwnew.towson.edu/biologicalsciences/graduate_program.html

John S. LaPolla, Ph.D. · Associate Professor
Biological Sciences · Fisher College of Science & Mathematics
Towson University · 8000 York Road · Towson, Maryland, 21252
t. 410-704-3121 · f. 410-704-2405

"Lapolla, John S." 

The Good lab at the University of Montana in Missoula is looking to recruit Ph.D. students interested in evolutionary genomics.

The Good lab at the University of Montana in Missoula is looking to
recruit Ph.D. students interested in evolutionary genomics.

Current research projects in the lab are focused on the genetic basis of
reproductive isolation, molecular evolution, hybridization in natural
populations, and adaptation to novel environments. These topics are
addressed using diverse approaches including population genomics,
transcriptomics, and quantitative genetics. Based on current project
openings, students interested in speciation are particularly encouraged to
apply. All lab projects involve the generation and analysis of large-scale
genomic datasets, and so a strong interest in genomics is a prerequisite.

The University of Montana is home to a strong collection of faculty
researching ecology and evolution. The Division of Biological Sciences
hosts an excellent graduate program in Organismal Biology and Ecology
(OBE) with an emphasis on interdisciplinary training in evolution,
genetics, ecology, physiology, and behavior. Missoula is a great college
town in the heart of the Northern Rocky Mountains.

For more information on the Good lab please visit the lab website:

http://good-lab.dbs.umt.edu/

Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Good
(jeffrey.good@umontana.edu). Please include a brief description of your
research interests and a CV in your email. Note that the target date for
applications for Fall 2016 admission to the OBE program is December 1st.

-- 
Jeffrey M. Good, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Division of Biological Sciences
The University of Montana
32 Campus Drive, HS104
Missoula MT 59812
Phone: 406-243-5771
Fax: 406-243-4184
Website: http://good-lab.dbs.umt.edu/

jeffrey.m.good@gmail.com

Graduate positions in Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics

Graduate positions in Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics

University of Nebraska

The School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska has a
newly expanded evolutionary genetics group, and we are seeking highly
motivated students to join our graduate program in Fall 2016. Our group
is especially strong in the areas of functional evolutionary genetics
and genomics.

Faculty doing research in evolutionary genetics and genomics at UNL
include:

Colin Meiklejohn (http://biosci.unl.edu/colin-meiklejohn)

Kristi Montooth (http://montoothlab.unl.edu/)

Etsuko Moriyama (http://bioinfolab.unl.edu/emlab/index.html)

Jeffrey Mower (http://mowerlab.unl.edu/)

Jay F. Storz (http://storzlab.unl.edu/)

Anthony J. Zera (http://biosci-labs.unl.edu/zera/index.html)

We offer generous graduate student support, an extremely collegial and
interactive environment for doing science, excellent biotech and
computational facilities, and access to the Cedar Point Biological
Station. Lincoln, Nebraska is a great midwestern college town with a
high quality of life, a thriving arts scene, and over 130 miles of bike
trails (http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/parks/parksfacilities/trails/).

For more information about the department, see: http://biosci.unl.edu/

For a full listing of all faculty in the School of Biological Sciences,
see:

http://biosci.unl.edu/directory-group

Interested students are encouraged to contact faculty directly with a
letter of interest and CV. Deadline for applications is 15 December.
For more information, see: http://biosci.unl.edu/graduate

Jay Storz 

MS opportunity, evolutionary responses to climate change

MS opportunity, evolutionary responses to climate change

We seek a Masters student to conduct research on evolutionary responses 
to climate change. The  student will be coadvised by Peter Adler and 
Zach Gompert at Utah State University. Together we will  investigate 
changes in the genetic diversity of two perennial grass species in a 
longterm precipitation  manipulation experiment in an eastern Idaho 
sagebrush steppe. We will compare the experimental  responses with 
patterns across an elevation and precipitation gradient. Field sampling 
will begin in May,  2016. Stipend support will consist of both research 
and teaching assistantships. To apply, please email a  1) cover letter, 
2) CV, 3) description of research experience, and 4) contact information 
for three  references to Peter Adler (peter.adler@usu.edu) by Dec. 1.

zachariah.gompert@aggiemail.usu.edu

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine is seeking to appoint a PhD candidate, section "Coastal Ecology"

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine
Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded
by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research
in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology and
geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
The division of "Biosciences", section "Coastal Ecology" at
the Wadden Sea Station Sylt (Mathias Wegner / Christian Buschbaum) in
cooperation with the department of Marine Ecology & Evolution at the
NIOZ,Texel (David Thieltges) is seeking to appoint a

PhD candidate, section "Coastal Ecology"

Background and Tasks:
Infectious disease strongly regulates populations. However, some forms
of disease arise internally by mutation causing cancer. Usually, cancer
cells are evolutionary dead ends that die with the individual carrying
them. Recently, several contagious cancers have been discovered in
marine bivalves. Here, cancer cells made the transition to parasitism by
proliferating within and between populations, which may strongly affect
bivalve population dynamics. The planned PhD project will investigate
the ecological and evolutionary roles of contagious cancer (disseminated
neoplasia) in bivalves along a latitudinal gradient from temperate
to arctic regions. The comparative approach will combine systematic
observational data on the occurence of neoplasia with experimental work
investigating ecological effects in the field and in the lab.  Practical
work will include sampling and field experiments in the Netherlands,
Germany, Denmark and Norway (including extended stays on Spitsbergen)
and molecular and cytological techniques will be used to identify the
evolutionary origins and consequences of neoplasia.

Requirements:
You should hold a Diploma/MSc degree in biology with fundamental
understanding of ecological and evolutionary principles. We are looking
for a highly motivated, independent student that can conduct unsupervised
work in remote field settings. Prior knowledge of experimental design,
statistical analysis of large data sets, bioinformatics and some molecular
and wet lab skills are a definite plus.

The position is limited to 3 years. The salary will be paid in accordance
with the German Tarifvertrag des =F6ffentlichen Dienstes (TV=F6D Bund),
salary level 13 (66%). The place of employment will be List on Sylt.
The Wadden Sea Station offers excellent experimental facilities and direct
access to field sites in the national park "Schleswig-Holsteinisches
Wattenmeer", which was recently awarded the status of a world heritage
site. AWI housing (shared flat) is available at reasonable rates.
We offer you a multi-disciplinary, international, and fascinating
professional environment with flexible working hours, state-of-the-art
research equipment, and a first-grade infrastructure. Disabled applicants
will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The
AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various
means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility
we have been awarded the certificate "Career and Family".

Applications including cover letter, letter of motivation, list of
publications, degree certificates, CV and two names of referees should
be submitted by November 30th, 2015 referencing code 117/D/Bio by e-mail
(all documents merged into one PDF file) to: personal@awi.de.

For more information or questions regarding the project please contact
Mathias Wegner (Mathias.Wegner(at)awi.de).

Mathias.Wegner@awi.de

A 3-year PhD scholarship in population genetics

A 3-year PhD scholarship in population genetics/statistical genetics is
available in the research group of Assistant Professor Ida Moltke at the
Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology,
University of Copenhagen. The successful candidate is expected to work on
really interesting projects related to human population isolates, like the
Greenlandic population, and is expected to start February 1, 2016 or
shortly thereafter.

For details see: http://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=779989

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail: ida@binf.ku.dk

ida@binf.ku.dk

two PhD projects at the University of Edinburgh

two PhD projects at the University of
Edinburgh.
Advisory team: Dr. Laura Ross (Edinburgh), Dr. Konrad Lohse
(Edinburgh), Dr. Andy Gardner (st Andrews) and Dr. Lyn Cook (University
of Queensland)

Project 1: Intralocus sexual conflict and genome evolution in
haplodiploid organisms

Sexual conflicts result from a clash of interests between the sexes
[1]. In many cases, this battle is fought at the level of the gene:
males and females may differ with respect to which version of a gene
maximizes their Darwinian fitness. Whilst the effects of such
intralocus sexual conflicts have been studied intensively in many
organisms, the vast majority of studies have focused on species with
classical, diploid sexual reproduction. However, as many as 15% of
animal species exhibit an alternative, haplodiploid mode of
inheritance. In such species, mothers monopolize the production of male
offspring, either by asexual production of sons or by producing sons
that eliminate their father's genome after the zygote stage [2]. This
asymmetrical mode of inheritance is likely to affect the outcome of
intralocus sexual conflict. Specifically, as alleles that favour male
fitness cannot be passed on directly from fathers to sons, sexual
conflicts may be resolved in favour of females [2].

 The aim of this project is to study the fate of alleles under
intralocus sexual conflict in a range of haplodiploid taxa. Studying
such exceptions to the general rules of reproduction provides
illumination of the fundamental principles of evolutionary genetics
(see [3] for a recent comparable example).

 This project will combine laboratory experiments, gene expression
studies and genome analyses. We will focus particularly on springtails
and fungus gnats, as males in these species carry and express their
father's genomes, but do not pass them on to their offspring. In
addition, these species still retain recognizable sex chromosomes,
which enables informative sex chromosome / autosome comparisons (e.g.
[3] for a similar approach). These experimental approaches will be
combined with comparative phylogenetic analyses and the development of
novel evolutionary theory, according to the interests of the student.
The project is cosupervised by Dr. Gardner (University of St. Andrews)
a leading mathematical biologist whose works spans a wide range of
topics in theoretical biology and genetics. The proposed project
strongly rest upon this collaboration as, on the one hand,
formalization of the relevant theoretical hypotheses is currently
lacking and, on the other hand, empirical work is required for
estimation of key model parameters. The candidate will be based
primarily in Edinburgh, as required by the empirical work, but will
spend 1-2 days per month in St. Andrews for the duration of the
project, as well as two 1-2 month intensive visits to the Gardner lab
in years 2 and 3.

[1] Bonduriansky, Russell, and Stephen F. Chenoweth. "Intralocus sexual
conflict." Trends in Ecology & Evolution 24.5 (2009): 280-288.

[2] De la Filia, Andres G., Stevie A. Bain, and Laura Ross.
"Haplodiploidy and the reproductive ecology of Arthropods." Current
Opinion in Insect Science (2015).

[3] Jaquiry, Julie, et al. "Masculinization of the X chromosome in
the pea aphid." Plos Genet 9 (2013): e1003690.

Project 2: Sexual conflict and the loss of paternal genes in a group of
Australian insects

In thousands of insects reproduction involves "Genomic exclusion",
where males discard the chromosomes they inherited from their father
(Paternal Genome Elimination, PGE). This unusual type of reproduction
gives rise to sons that inherit genes from both their parents, but in
which genes inherited from their father are suppressed and eliminated.
As a result, males do never pass on any genes from their father
(Gardner & Ross, 2014; Ross et al.)  Until now, the lack of suitable
insect study systems has made it difficult to understand PGE: It is
absent in established model systems such as Drosophila and tends to be
evolutionarily conserved, making comparative studies difficult. However
we recently identified a group of Australian scale insects that vary in
the way they reproduce, with some species eliminating their father's
genes while others do not. This group therefore provides a rare chance
for acquiring new insights into the way this peculiar type of
reproduction evolved as well as the way it is accomplished.

The main questions addressed in the project are why and how males in
some species eliminate the genes they inherit from their fathers, while
others do not. Understanding this will give general insights into why
reproduction is so variable across the tree of life.

The proposed project will study the reproduction of a group of insects
that is found exclusively in Australia and feeds on eucalyptus trees.
The project on one hand will involve sampling and determining the
reproductive strategy of a large number of species as well as determine
ecological factors that might explain some of this variation. On the
other hand it will focus in more detail on a single genus of
Cystococcus (Semple et al. 2015, see figure 1), in which three species
vary in the presence of PGE. We will compare these three species using
a combination of genetic, genomic and cytogenetic approaches to
understand how and why they vary in their reproductive genetics.
Although primarily based at the University of Edinburgh, the project
will involve fieldtrips and labwork at the University of Queensland in
Australia, in collaboration with Dr. Lyn Cook.

-       Gardner, A. & Ross, L. (2014) Mating ecology explains patterns
of genome elimination Ecology Letters 17, 1602-1612.

-      Ross, L., Pen, I. & Shuker, D. M. (2010). Genomic conflict in
scale insects: the causes and consequences of bizarre genetic systems.
Biological Reviews 85, 807-828.
  * Semple, T., Gullan, P., Hodgson, C., Hardy, N., & Cook, L. (2015).
    Systematic review of the Australian. Invertebrate Systematics 29,
    287-312.

For informal enquiries contact Dr Laura Ross at laura.ross@ed.ac.uk.
Funding options are available for both UK and non-UK students but
deadlines vary so please get in touch asap.

Laura Ross