PhD position in Evolutionary Biology of Aging
PhD position in the evolutionary biology of aging is available at the Department of Animal Ecology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
The project will focus on two crucial yet poorly understood issues in the evolutionary biology of aging – sex-specific selection and condition-dependence – using animals with short generation time, such as the dioecious nematode worm Caenorhabditis remanei and the seed beetles (e.g. Callosobruchus maculatus), as main model systems. The project will combine the experimental evolution with classical behavioural ecology approach. The main objective is to understand the evolution of sex differences in lifespan and reproductive aging.
Applicants should have a MSc (or equivalent) in biology/ecology and a strong interest in evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology. Special interest in the evolution of life-histories and/or sexual selection is a plus. The project will be supervised by Alexei Maklakov (see http://www.iee.uu.se/zooekol/default.php?type=personalpage&id=87&lang=en) and the candidate will receive her/his postgraduate training within the postgraduate school at the Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC) (see http://www.ebc.uu.se/index_eng.php). The working atmosphere is international with English as working language. EBC constitutes an exciting arena for multidisciplinary research in evolutionary biology in a broad sense, with research programs including ecology, systematics, genetics, genomics, and developmental biology. Uppsala University is the oldest university in Scandinavia and the city of Uppsala is a vibrant student town with beautiful surroundings conveniently situated 40 minutes by train from Stockholm.
This position is financed for four full years, and the successful candidate will receive a postgraduate fellowship the first year (15.500 SEK/month) and a postgraduate position year 2-4 (22.000 - 24.500 SEK/month).
Important dates: The position is open until filled but all applications submitted by November 15, 2009 will be given full consideration. The preliminary starting date is January 15, 2010, but is flexible.
Applications should include: 1) short letter of interest / background (2 pages max); 2) complete CV; 3) a description of undergraduate training; 4) a copy of undergraduate degree and 5) the names and e-mail addresses of 2-3 referees. Applications should be sent by e-mail to Alexei.Maklakov@ebc.uu.se. Alternatively, send hardcopies to the following address: Alexei Maklakov, Animal Ecology, EBC, Norbyvägen 18D, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. Please feel free to contact me by e- mail or by phone (+46-18-471 2702) for more information.
Note that there is another PhD position on a related topic available at EBC in the Department of Evolutionary Biology under supervision of Urban Friberg (see http://www.egs.uu.se/evbiol/Persons/Urban.html). This creates opportunities for discussions and collaborations between the research groups, which will be greatly encouraged!
PhD-position (doktorandtjänst) in Evolutionary Genetics of Ageing.
Title: Genomic distribution of sex-specific variation in ageing.
A striking pattern across the animal kingdom is that males and females of the same species often have different lifespan and rate of aging. Genetic variability for these traits also exists both between as well as within the sexes. Several theories aimed to explain these patterns have been put forward, but one of particular interest suggests that these differences are the result of sexual selection. The aim of the current project is to study the genomic distribution of sex-specific genetic variation in lifespan and ageing, to provide a better understanding of why and to what extent the sexes differ with respect to these traits. The project will focus on a Drosophila melanogaster model system, and will be conducted using classical Drosophila genetics in combination with modern systems biology and genomic approaches.
We are looking for a highly motivated student having a Master’s degree or equivalent in biology, genetics or a related field, and a strong interest in evolutionary biology/genetics. Documented interest in statistics and experience with programming in R as well as Drosophila lab work is beneficial but not a required. He/she should work well both as a member of a group as well as independently, and also be proficient in both written and spoken English. The successful candidate will join a research group led by Urban Friberg (see http://www.egs.uu.se/evbiol/Persons/Urban.html) and will receive her/his postgraduate training within the postgraduate school at the Evolutionary Biology Centre (see http://www.ebc.uu.se/index_eng.php). This position is financed for four full years by a postgraduate fellowship the first year (15.500 SEK/month) and a postgraduate position year 2-4 (22.000 - 24.500 SEK/month). Applications should be written in English and include i) personal information/background, ii) a description of research interests (max 1-2 pages), iii) complete CV, iv) a description of undergraduate training, v) the names and email addresses of 2-3 referees. Applications should be sent to Dr. Urban Friberg, Dept. of Evolutionary Biology, EBC, Norbyv. 18D, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. For more information please feel free to contact Urban Friberg by email (Urban.Friberg@ebc.uu.se) or by phone (+46-18-4716415). The position is open until filled, but for full consideration apply by the 20th of November. The ideal starting date would be January 2010.
The Program in Evolutionary Biology (http://www.egs.uu.se/evbiol/index.html) is situated in the Evolutionary Biology Centre in central Uppsala. The working atmosphere is international with English as working language. The Evolutionary Biology Centre constitutes an exciting arena for multidisciplinary research in evolutionary biology in a broad sense, with research programs including ecology, systematics, genetics, genomics, and developmental biology. Uppsala University is the oldest university in Scandinavia and the city of Uppsala is a vibrant student town with beautiful surroundings conveniently situated 40 minutes by train from Stockholm.
Note that there is another PhD position on a related topic available at EBC in the Department of Ecology and Evolution under supervision of Alexei Maklakov (see http://www.iee.uu.se/zooekol/default.php?type=personalpage&id=87&lang=en). This creates opportunities for discussions and collaborations between the research groups, which will be greatly encouraged!
