-----Original Message-----
From: Seppälä, Otto
Sent: Montag, 10. Oktober 2016 12:50
To: eco@eawag.ch
Subject: FW: Graduate Position: ETHZurich_Eawag.PathogenResistance
From: Seppälä, Otto
Sent: Montag, 10. Oktober 2016 12:50
To: eco@eawag.ch
Subject: FW: Graduate Position: ETHZurich_Eawag.PathogenResistance
A PhD student position is available in the group of aquatic ecology at ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich) / Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Research), Switzerland
to study natural selection on immune function at gene expression level. Parasites present a serious threat for natural populations of free-living species. Immune defence is generally considered as an important trait in determining organisms' fitness as it eliminates harmful parasites. Therefore, understanding the evolution of immune defence is one of the key topics in predicting dynamics of host-parasite interactions. However, knowledge on the type and strength of selection on immune defence traits is very limited. The goals of the project are to assess (1) the type and strength of natural selection on the expression of several immune defence genes/pathways, (2) variation in selection imposed by infection risk, (3) trade-offs related to immune activity, and (4) local adaptation of hosts to parasites in the wild. The study system is a freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis, and the work utilises the recently sequenced transcriptome of this species. The work will be conducted in collaboration with the Prof. Coen Adema (University of New
Mexico) and the Genetic Diversity Centre at ETH (http://www.gdc.ethz.ch/).
General information about the research group can be found at http://www.ae.ethz.ch/
We invite highly motivated students with a good background in transcriptomics and evolutionary ecology to apply for the position. A MSc or equivalent degree is required. Earlier experience with the study system is not required. The project is funded by Swiss National Science Foundation for 3 years.
Earliest starting date: February 1, 2017
Qualified persons are invited to apply by email. Please attach a single PDF file including a letter of motivation, CV, and names plus contact information of two references to otto.seppaelae@env.ethz.ch. Subject line should read "PHD-Position 2016". Evaluation of applications starts November 7, 2016. Top candidates will be interviewed.
Dr. Otto Seppälä
"Seppälä, Otto" <Otto.Seppaelae@eawag.ch>
to study natural selection on immune function at gene expression level. Parasites present a serious threat for natural populations of free-living species. Immune defence is generally considered as an important trait in determining organisms' fitness as it eliminates harmful parasites. Therefore, understanding the evolution of immune defence is one of the key topics in predicting dynamics of host-parasite interactions. However, knowledge on the type and strength of selection on immune defence traits is very limited. The goals of the project are to assess (1) the type and strength of natural selection on the expression of several immune defence genes/pathways, (2) variation in selection imposed by infection risk, (3) trade-offs related to immune activity, and (4) local adaptation of hosts to parasites in the wild. The study system is a freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis, and the work utilises the recently sequenced transcriptome of this species. The work will be conducted in collaboration with the Prof. Coen Adema (University of New
Mexico) and the Genetic Diversity Centre at ETH (http://www.gdc.ethz.ch/).
General information about the research group can be found at http://www.ae.ethz.ch/
We invite highly motivated students with a good background in transcriptomics and evolutionary ecology to apply for the position. A MSc or equivalent degree is required. Earlier experience with the study system is not required. The project is funded by Swiss National Science Foundation for 3 years.
Earliest starting date: February 1, 2017
Qualified persons are invited to apply by email. Please attach a single PDF file including a letter of motivation, CV, and names plus contact information of two references to otto.seppaelae@env.ethz.ch. Subject line should read "PHD-Position 2016". Evaluation of applications starts November 7, 2016. Top candidates will be interviewed.
Dr. Otto Seppälä
"Seppälä, Otto" <Otto.Seppaelae@eawag.ch>
