7 ofertas de doctorado sobre envejecimiento en Alemania

We invite applications for 7 PhD positions within the framework of the new Research Unit
*Sociality and the reversal of the fecundity/longevity trade-off* (FOR 2281) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) www.so-long.org

Why do organisms age? The genetic underpinnings of ageing seem to be
highly conserved from nematode worms to humans. Across animals, ageing
is characterized by a trade-off between fecundity and longevity, with an
increase in fecundity commonly associated with accelerated senescence
and a drop in lifespan. A major exception to this pattern is found
within the social insects. Some social insect queens are record holders
with respect to longevity whereas their sterile workers are short-lived.
The aim of the Research Unit (www.so-long.org) is to explore, in a
highly integrative and interdisciplinary fashion, the ultimate and
proximate reasons for the apparent reversal in the fecundity/longevity
trade-off associated with sociality by using all major clades of social
insects, with Drosophila melanogaster as model non-social organism.
Projects will apply a broad range of approaches from experimental
manipulation, field-based studies and molecular genetic studies (e.g. qt
RT PCR, NGS) to theoretical evolutionary modelling and bioinformatic
analyses. Beyond the project work, PhD candidates will attend and learn
in workshops, can organize summer schools, have the opportunity to
participate in lab rotations and to attend international conferences.

PhD positions will be available on the following topics:
Comparative analysis of molecular mechanisms of ageing in flies and
social insects (Dr. Claudia Fricke, University of Münster;
claudia.fricke@uni-muenster.de)

Defying senescence – The causes of death and the costs of living of ant
queens (PD Dr. Jan Oettler / Prof Dr. Jürgen Heinze, University of
Regensburg; jan.oettler@biologie.uni-regensburg.de;
juergen.heinze@biologie.uni-regensburg.de)

A comparative approach to the fecundity/longevity trade-off across two
origins of eusociality in the bees (Prof. Dr. Robert Paxton, University
of Halle / Dr. Karen Meusemann, University of Freiburg;
robert.paxton@zoologie.uni-halle.de;
karen.meusemann@biologie.uni-freiburg.de )

Functional basis of the fecundity - longevity reversal in the ant
Temnothorax rugatulus (Prof. Dr. Susanne Foitzik, University of Mainz /
Dr. Barbara Feldmeyer, Senckenberg BiK-F Frankfurt;
foitzik@uni-mainz.de, barbara.feldmeyer@senckenberg.de)

Uncovering the functional basis of the reversal of the
fecundity/longevity trade-off in a termite (Prof. Dr. Judith Korb,
University of Freiburg; judith.korb@biologie.uni-freiburg.de)

Reversal of the fecundity / longevity trade-off across social
transitions in ants (Dr. Volker Nehring, University of Freiburg / Prof.
Dr. Susanne Foitzik, University of Mainz, / Dr. Romain Libbrecht,
University of Mainz; volker.nehring@biologie.uni-freiburg.de,
foitzik@uni-mainz.de, rlibbrec@uni-mainz.de)

Why and how does sociality change the fecundity / longevity trade-off in
termites? (Prof. Dr. Judith Korb, University of Freiburg / Prof. Dr. Ido
Pen, University of Groningen; judith.korb@biologie.uni-freiburg.de,
i.r.pen@rug.nl)

All applicants should have a strong background in evolutionary biology
and, depending on the project, also skills in bioinformatics (e.g.
scripting) or field work. For further details of specific projects,
email the relevant contact person listed above. Within your application,
please state your preferred project, in ranked order from 1 (most
preferred) to 3. The research consortium will jointly select candidates
for the positions. Skype/phone interviews are scheduled for the last
week of July and 1st week of August.
Start of Position is anticipated to be 1. Oct 2018 with a kick-off
meeting from the 3.- 5. Sept 2018

Interested candidates should send their applications (incl. CV, a letter
of motivation, and contact details of two academic references) as single
file pdf by 8. July 2018 to:
Judith.Korb@biologie.uni-freiburg.de


For further information please contact:
Prof. Dr. Judith Korb
Zoology : Evolutionary Biology & Ecology
University of Freiburg
Hauptstrasse 1
D-79104 Freiburg
Germany
Judith.Korb@biologie.uni-freiburg.de
www.so-long.org