11 PhD AND POST-DOC POSITIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND GENOMICS AT THE EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY CENTRE, UPPSALA UNIVERSITY

A Centre of Excellence in the interface of evolutionary biology and genomics has been established at the Dept of Evolutionary Biology of the Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC) of Uppsala University. The environment consists of several relatively young research groups (Urban Friberg, Anders Gotherstrom, Simone Immler, Mattias Jakobsson, Hanna Johannesson, Tanja Slotte and Jochen Wolf) with Hans Ellegren being Head of the unit. Currently, there are about 20 PhD students, 15 post-docs and some bioinformaticians working within these groups, with the great majority having a background from international universities. Thanks to a number of competitive grants recently obtained, the environment will now significantly expand by recruiting several new PhD students and post-docs.

An overview of the research activities in the environment can be found at our web pages (http://www.ebc.uu.se/Research/IEG/evbiol/). A common theme is that we address key questions in evolutionary biology, like speciation, local adaptation, life history evolution, and molecular evolution, using genomic approaches. Study organisms include natural bird and plant populations, Neurospora, Drosophila, zebra fish, domestic animals and humans. We have tight connections with several other research programs at the Evolutionary Biology Centre (see http://www.ebc.uu.se/Research/IEG/ and a centre-wide graduate school "The genomics of phenotypic diversity in natural populations" (http://www.ebc.uu.se/education/postgrad/gradschool/) is organized from here.

Below are brief descriptions of the positions currently open. Further details about each of these, including necessary qualifications, are available at http://www.ebc.uu.se/Research/IEG/evbiol/open_positions/ or can be obtained from the named group leader. Informal inquiries and applications should be sent to the respective supervisor. Common to all positions is that we ask applicants to provide a CV, a statement of research interests and the name and contact details of at least two references. The positions remain open until filled.

1. PhD position: Haploid selection in animals
Sexual reproduction in eukaryotic organisms entails the existence of two sexes (males and females) and two life phases (haploid and diploid). Selection acting differently in the two sexes and the two phases causes conflicts, which affect evolutionary processes. This PhD project aims to address questions about the causes and consequences of sexual selection across ploidy levels in animals. Experimental work using the zebrafish Danio rerio as a model system will bring answers to these questions. For more information please see our web pages or contact Simone Immler (Simone.Immler@ebc.uu.se).

2. PhD position: Natural selection on gene regulation
Changes in gene regulation have long been hypothesized to underlie adaptive phenotypic evolution. In this project, we aim to test this hypothesis and quantify the long-term impact of selection on regulatory sequences. The project will involve the use of genomic methods to study sequence and gene expression variation in the emerging plant model system Capsella. For more information please see our web pages or contact Tanja Slotte (Tanja.Slotte@ebc.uu.se).

3. PhD position: Whole-genome analysis of microsatellite evolution
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows gathering a wealth of information on microsatellite variability both within and between species. Using recently assembled whole-genome sequences from multiple avian and mammalian species, this project aims to increase our understanding of the evolution of microsatellites and polymorphism at these loci. Moreover, this project also aims at using NGS microsatellite data to identify genomic regions subject to strong selective sweeps in natural populations of ecological model organisms, using microsatellites. For more information please see our web pages or contact Hans Ellegren (Hans.Ellegren@ebc.uu.se).

4. PhD position: Speciation genomics in a famous avian hybrid zone
The hybrid zone between carrion and hooded crows (Corvus [corone] corone / cornix) is a text book example of incipient speciation that is well characterized from an ecological and behavioural perspective. We investigate its genetic architecture with a set of genomic tools currently including genome assembly, re-sequencing of several European populations and RNAseq-based transcriptome analyses. For more information please see our web pages or contact Jochen Wolf (Jochen.Wolf@ebc.uu.se).

5. PhD position: Sex differences in aging
Males and females differ with respect to lifespan and rate of aging in many animal species. Despite the generality of this phenomenon we still know very little of the factors that underlie these differences. This project will address this question using a combination of experimental evolution and quantitative genetics. The studies will be conducted utilizing the powerful model system of Drosophila melanogaster. For more information please see our web pages or contact Urban Friberg (Urban.Friberg@ebc.uu.se).

6. PhD position: Molecular evolution
A position for basic studies of molecular evolution using genomic or transcriptomic data is available where the precise direction of research will be decided together with the candidate and will depend on his/her interests and skills. See the list of publications from the host laboratory to get examples of on-going research in the lab. For more information please see our web pages or contact Hans Ellegren (Hans.Ellegren@ebc.uu.se).

7. Postdoc position: Population genomics in a speciation model system
We have recently completed full genome sequencing of the collared flycatcher, an avian species that together with its sister species the pied flycatcher constitute a very useful model system for speciation research. There is a wealth of existing ecological information available for both species. Using further genome sequencing at population levels of the two species, this project will address demography, ancestral population sizes and modes of speciation. For more information please see our web pages or contact Hans Ellegren (Hans.Ellegren@ebc.uu.se).

8. Postdoc position: Genomics of sex allocation changes
Plant mating system shifts are often associated with sex allocation changes, such as changes in the ratio of pollen to ovules. In this project, we will study the genetic architecture of sex allocation changes following a recent mating system shift. The project will utilize the emerging plant model system Capsella and involves genetic mapping and population genomic studies using next-generation sequencing data. For more information please see our web pages or contact Tanja Slotte (Tanja.Slotte@ebc.uu.se).

9. Postdoc position: Trans-generational epigenetic inheritance
Epigenetics plays a fundamental role in regulating gene expression. Epigenetic effects can also be transmitted across generations, and this form of inheritance may be far more common than previously believed. Whether trans-generational epigenetic inheritance plays a significant part in adaptive evolution is however not know. This project aims to explore this possibility using the model system of Drosophila melanogaster. For more information please see our web pages or contact Urban Friberg (Urban.Friberg@ebc.uu.se).

10. Post-doc position: Conservation genomics
Studies of population differentiation in relation to habitat fragmentation and assessment of inbreeding problems in endangered species require detailed genetic information. As a continuation of our previous conservation genetic studies of wolverines in northern Scandinavia, we will now determine the genome sequence of this species and assess the degree and character of genetic variability on a genomic scale. For more information please see our web pages or contact Hans Ellegren (Hans.Ellegren@ebc.uu.se).

11. Post-doc position: Natural selection and DNA sequence evolution
Using whole-genome sequence data from multiple species within major vertebrate lineages, this project will address questions such as the relationships between life history characteristics and strength of selection, evolutionary constraint of different sequence categories and estimates of the genomic deleterious mutation rate. For more information please see our web pages or contact Hans Ellegren (Hans.Ellegren@ebc.uu.se).

The venue for these positions, the Evolutionary Biology Centre, is situated in recently-built localities in central Uppsala. The working atmosphere is international with a regular recruitment of PhD students and post-docs from abroad. The Centre constitutes an exciting arena for multidisciplinary research in evolutionary biology in a broad sense, housing some 300 scientists and graduate students, and with research programs in ecology, systematics, genetics, genomics, functional 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 close to Stockholm.



Prof Hans Ellegren
Dept of Evolutionary Biology
Evolutionary Biology Centre
Uppsala University
Norbyvagen 18D
SE-752 36 Uppsala
Sweden

Phone: +46-18-4716460
Email: Hans.Ellegren@ebc.uu.se

LAB HOME PAGE: http://www.ebc.uu.se/Research/IEG/evbiol/research/Ellegren/?languageId=3D1

UPPSALA BIOLOGY HOME PAGE: http://www.biology.uu.se