Position 1: The Evolution of Adaptive Epigenetic Inheritance, in the lab of Dr. Martin Lind
Position 2: Causes and Consequences of Variation in Mutation Rate, in the lab of Dr. David Berger
The two advertised positions are independent. Applicants that are interested in both positions should submit two separate applications.
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POSITION 1 – The Evolution of Adaptive Epigenetic Inheritance
The belief that the genetic code is the sole basis for biological inheritance has been challenged by the discovery of trans-generational epigenetic inheritance, where environmentally induced phenotypes are inherited for several generations by factors that determine how DNA is read. However, the adaptive significance of a complementary inheritance system that is induced by the environment is enigmatic.
The applicant will investigate the evolution of adaptive epigenetic and trans-generational inheritance during adaptation to new environments (high or fluctuating temperature) in the powerful laboratory Caenorhabditis remanei nematode model system. We will use a combination of experimental evolution, trans-generational phenotypic assays of life history traits (fitness, growth, development, lifespan) and gene expression approaches, including analyses of already existing lines. The project is supported by a grant from the Swedish research Council (VR).
The applicant will join the lab of Dr. Martin Lind, and be part of the well-equipped nematode lab, at the moment led by three PIs (Dr. Lind, Dr. Bolund, Dr. Maklakov) interested in life-history evolution, inheritance, ageing and sexual selection.
Qualifications: A relevant master degree or equivalent in evolutionary biology, genetics, ecology or a related field. We are looking for you who are motivated, highly reliable, driven and well-organised, and have a broad interest in evolutionary biology. It is desirable if you have experience of laboratory work and/or animal husbandry (of any organism). Because the holder of this position will interact closely with other lab members, we put emphasis on personal ability, independence and ability to collaborate. You should have the capacity to express yourself well in speech and writing in English.
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POSITION 2: Causes and Consequences of Variation in Mutation Rate
Variation in mutation rate is a pivotal determinant of rates of adaptation and extinction and a causative agent in human health problems, including ageing, cancer, and genetic disease. Mutation rate has typically been treated as an invariable species-specific parameter but this view has recently been challenged by studies showing that mutation rate can vary with health, nutritional state, sex, and age. The evolutionary causes and consequences of this variation remain largely unexplored and the successful applicant will take an experimental approach to understand among-individual variation in mutation rate with the overarching aim to explore how this variation may influence evolution in novel environments.
The research will take advantage of the finished genome assembly of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, potentially combined with experiments on other available laboratory study systems such as butterflies, fruit flies and nematode worms. The successful candidate will employ experimental evolution and/or mutation accumulation approaches in combination with comparative analysis of quantitative genetic and genomic data.
The candidate will work in direct association with one PI (Dr. David Berger, main supervisor) and share lab space with members of Prof. Göran Arnqvist's group, with whom interactions and collaborations are encouraged. Currently, the beetle lab consists of 10 members working on various aspects of life history evolution, sexual selection, and evolutionary genetics. The position is funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR).
Qualifications: We seek a highly motivated and enthusiastic person with a broad interest in evolutionary biology. Experience in quantitative/molecular/population genetics, or in life history- and sexual selection theory, is an advantage, but not a requirement. Experience of laboratory work or in using statistical software (e.g. R, SAS, Mathematica, Python) is also a merit. Because the holder of this position will interact closely with other lab members, we will put emphasis on both independence and ability to collaborate. The applicant is expected to be fluent in English.
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THE INFORMATION BELOW ALLPIES TO BOTH POSITIONS
WORKING PLACE: EBC hosts one of the world's largest aggregations of evolutionary biologists. The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems. A number of high-profile projects address natural and sexual selection, local adaptation, speciation, molecular evolution, microbial diversity, and ecosystem processes. For more information, see ieg.uu.se. Our graduate school offers a creative and stimulating environment and offers a rich variety of seminars, journal clubs, courses and possibilities to interact with other scholars and students. Uppsala University is the oldest university in Scandinavia and the city of Uppsala is a vibrant college town with beautiful surroundings conveniently situated 40 minutes by train from Stockholm.
POSITION: The graduate program covers four years of full-time study. The position can be combined with teaching (maximum 20%), which prolongs the employment with the corresponding time. The successful candidate will receive salary and full social benefits according to local agreements. More information about salary levels: http://www.saco.fackorg.uu.se/verksamhet/doktorandfragor/doktorandstege
Rules governing PhD candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/Rules_and_regulations_in_English/. More information about postgraduate studies at Uppsala University is available at http://www.teknat.uu.se/education/postgraduate/.
APPLICATION: The application should include 1) a letter of intent describing yourself, your research interests and motivation for why you apply for the current position and want to do a PhD, 2) a CV 3), a short description of your education, 4) an authorized copy of your master degree and course grades, 5) the names and email of at least two referees, 6) relevant publications including master thesis. The application should be written in English.
Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.
PAY: According to local agreements
STARTING: As soon as possible or as otherwise agreed.
WORKING HOURS: 100 %
For further information about the two positions please contact:
Dr. Martin Lind, martin.lind@ebc.uu.se (Position 1)
http://www.martinlind.org/
Dr. David Berger, david.berger@ebc.uu.se (Position 2)
http://www.ieg.uu.se/animal-ecology/Research+groups/berger-lab/berger-research/
You are welcome to submit your application(s) no later than 15th of March 2017
Position 1: http://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/details/?positionId=134442
Position 2: http://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/details/?positionId=134561
You can apply for both positions, with separate applications.
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Martin Lind
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Animal Ecology
Evolutionary Biology Centre
Uppsala University
Norbyvägen 18D
752 36 Uppsala
Sweden
http://www.martinlind.org/
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Animal Ecology
Evolutionary Biology Centre
Uppsala University
Norbyvägen 18D
752 36 Uppsala
Sweden
http://www.martinlind.org/
