Seeking two Postdoctoral fellows to join a collaborative project examining functional, population genetic and ecological mechanisms underlying success of polyploid plants.
The work aims to predict the effect of whole genome duplication on ecological and evolutionary responses to environmental change. The postdocs will identify the ecological, population genetic and genomic factors that underlie functional trait (e.g., phenotypic plasticity in repose to climate, tolerance of drought and freeze) variation, ecological amplitude and gene expression diversity using the wild strawberry (Fragaria) as a model system (see Liston et al 2014. AJB101:1686-1699;
Johnson et al 2014 Bot J Linn Soc 176:99-114). The specific goals are to 1) characterize functional responses to climate and how they vary with natural variation in ploidy, with experimental hybridization and whole genome duplication, 2) analyze gene expression (transcriptomes) and physiological traits of natural and synthetic polyploids and their diploid progenitors in the greenhouse and common gardens at climatically diverse sites, 3) use NGS of target-captured sequence from natural populations of plants to identify patterns of genetic diversity and signatures of selection, reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and generate high density linkage maps (Tennesson et al 2014 GBE 6:3295-3313).
Postdoc candidates are sought with expertise in one of two areas (with ample opportunities for cross training between them): 1) Population genetic, comparative genomics, transcriptome analysis to address ecological or evolutionary questions 2) Population, physiological or functional plant ecology Candidates interested in a combination of field work and genomic work especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities will include the establishment and monitoring of
experiments in the field and under controlled conditions in the lab,
collection and analysis of population genetic/genomic, phenotypic
and physiological data, and the preparation of manuscripts for
publication. Ability to travel between field sites in Oregon and
laboratory in Pennsylvania is required.
In addition to cross training, the project affords opportunities for
international travel and training as part of an US-China international
research collaboration, and to design and implement additional allied
projects tailored to the skills and interests of the postdoc.
The postdoc position is for two years, renewable for additional
years. Start date is negotiable, but June 2015 is preferred.
The project is collaboration among the labs of Dr. Tia-Lynn Ashman,
Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh
and Dr. Aaron Liston, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, and
Dr. Richard Cronn US Forest Service at Oregon State University.
TO APPLY: Please send a CV and a description of your experience and
interests as relevant to the position to tia1@pitt.edu, along with
the names and contact information for three referees. In a covering
letter clearly highlight skills and experience related to key
responsibilities. Informal enquiries are also welcome!
Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, until
positions are filled.
Dr. Tia-Lynn Ashman
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260-3929
412-624-0984
http://www.pitt.edu/~tia1/
