PhD Students
PhD students can join the Vancouver lab through the UBC Department of Zoology, and details on funding opportunities are here. It is worth getting in touch early to talk about potential projects.
Post-Doctoral Researchers
The Mank lab at the University of British Columbia is looking for a new post-doctoral fellow to join our group of evolutionary biologists! The exact topic is open and will be determined by the interests of the successful candidate. We are looking for someone who brings new skills and perspectives into the group, but who also has research interests that align with current work in the lab. Potential approaches could include molecular evolution, recombination, genetic knockouts, field work, or pretty much anything else of relevance to the evolution of sex chromosomes, sex-biased gene expression or sexual dimorphism. Informal questions can be emailed to Judith (mank@zoology.ubc.ca). If you wish to apply, please send a cover letter describing your career goals and research philosophy, CV, a statement of your interests and the contact details of three references as a single PDF to Jacelyn Shu (jacelyn@zoology.ubc.ca). The post is funded through a Canada 150 Research Chair, and the initial appointment is for one year with possibility of extension. Start date is negotiable, and remote work is possible initially in the event of travel restrictions. The review of applications will begin on August 17 2020, and will continue until the position is filled.
The lab is a diverse, highly interactive group, and we value a constructive and collaborative environment. We have recently finished installing a brand new, state-of-the-art molecular lab, including the capability for single-cell RNA-Seq. We also have new fish labs with high-density flow-through racks for pedigrees and selection experiments. We have stocks of several Poeciliid species available, although work on them is not a requirement of the job! The UBC Biodiversity Centre and Department of Zoology form an outstanding community of evolutionary biologists and ecologists, and Vancouver is a beautiful and welcoming city with a multitude of outdoor and cultural opportunities.
For those who wish to apply for their own funding to join the group,there are a wealth of fellowship options, many of which depend on the nationality of the applicant. Dieter Lukas has collected an extensive list of opportunities here. People have recently joined the lab through the Marie Curie Actions, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, the US National Science Foundation, and NSERC, and there are additional funding opportunities through the Biodiversity Centre. Deadlines vary.
There is often a surprisingly long delay between the initial idea for an application, the completion of the application, and the start of the project. A successful application needs a lot of time, thought and work, and current members of the lab often provide a substantial amount of assistance in project design and writing, as well as interview preparation if needed. It is vital to get in touch early in order to discuss projects and identify potential funding sources if you are interested in obtaining your own funding.
