>
>PhD: THE GENOMIC BASIS OF HOST-SYMBIONT DEPENDENCY, QUEEN MARY
>UNIVERSITY, LONDON
>
>Background:
>Organisms across the tree of life form partnerships with microbes for
>protection, metabolic and nutrition. In some cases, host and symbiont
>become so tightly associated that dependency evolves and the two
>organisms integrate both physically and genomically. Dependency on
>microbes is particularly prevalent among insects. These acquisitions have
>led many groups of insect to great success by allowing them to use
>otherwise unavailable resources and invade inaccessible habitats. Here we
>explore how dependency on microbes evolves, and how genomes combine to
>produce the novel functions that have allowed insects to dominate so many
>habitats.
>
>In this project you will use the symbionts of ants and aphids to
>rigorously test hypotheses on the evolution of symbiotic dependency. This
>may include: exploring the early stages of genome integration in hosts
>that have recently evolved dependency on microbes; revealing the
>functional role of symbionts through shared metabolic pathways with
>hosts; and determining how host ecology influences gains and losses of
>symbionts. You will have access to large genetic databases, insect
>collections, in-house live organisms and cutting-edge research
>facilitates to fuel your investigation.
>
>You will gain experience of molecular/experimental biology,
>comparative/metagenomics, bioinformatics, and statistics (e.g.
>comparative phylogenetics).
>
>You will be encouraged to develop your own ideas and hypotheses.
>
>Skills preferred: In a multidisciplinary project such as this, candidates
>are unlikely to have a background in all disciplines involved. The most
>important qualification is motivation and that the project appeals to
>you. We can envisage strong candidates coming through various routes
>including:
> * bioinformatics
> * practical molecular biology
> * evolutionary theory
>
>For informal requests, do not hesitate to contact me at l.henry@qmul.ac.uk
>
>Deadline for application: Sept 27, 2017
>
>Supervisor Information: Dr. Lee Henry, Email: l.henry@qmul.ac.uk,
>Website: http://www.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/staff/leehenry.html
>
>Funding Notes:
>The studentship is fully funded and available to EU, UK and International
>citizens. It will cover tuition fees as well as provide an annual
>tax-free maintenance allowance for 3 years at Research Councils UK rates
>(£16,553 in 2017-18).
>
>Applicants must have an excellent academic track record, with a
>bachelor's degree (1st or high 2.1) in a relevant degree. An MSc in
>bioinformatics, evolutionary biology, or ecology is also highly desirable.
>
>References:
>Fisher RM, Henry LM, Cornwallis CK, Kiers ET and SA West (2017). The
>evolution of host-symbiont dependence. Nature Communications 8:15973
>Henry LM, Maiden MJC, Ferrari J and HCJ Godfray (2015). Insect life
>history and the evolution of bacterial mutualism. Ecology Letters
>18:516-25
>
>----------
>POSTDOC: SOCIAL EVOLUTION IN SWEAT BEES, EXETER
>
>A 3 year full time postdoctoral position is available starting 1 January
>2018 in the research group of Professor Jeremy Field, based in the
>Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus,
>UK. The successful applicant will work on a project investigating the
>evolution of queen-worker caste differences and social behaviour in sweat
>bees (Halictidae: Lasioglossum, Halictus). A 4th year of funding may be
>available, depending on the needs of the project.
>
>The post will include work carrying out field transplants, behavioural
>observations and experiments, together with transcriptomic work relating
>behaviour to gene expression (see Field et al. 2010 Current Biology
>20:2028-31 for an example of our behavioural work). The successful
>applicant will have relevant experience in evolutionary or behavioural
>ecology and/or transcriptomics with non-model organisms.
>
>The closing date for completed applications is midnight on 8th October
>2017. Interviews are expected to take place during 26-31 October 2017.
>
>For full details, including how to apply, see the link at:
>https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACA
>NCY_ID=037271JanP&WVID=3817591jNg&LANG=USA
>Or enter the job reference number (P58889) as a keyword in the University
>of Exeter job search engine at:
>https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec105gf.open?wvid
>=3817591jNg
>
>----------
>POSTDOC: GENOMIC ANALYSIS OF MUSEUM BUMBLEBEES, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM,
>LONDON
>
>Apply at: https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_344.aspx
>
>A NERC-funded PDRA position is available for 34 months working at the
>Natural History Museum, London, with Professor Ian Barnes and Dr Selina
>Brace, on the recovery and analysis of DNA from bumblebee museum
>specimens. This work is part of a larger project investigating insect
>pollinator responses over a century of UK land-use change. The advertised
>position will focus on whole genome sequencing of museum specimens, and
>analysis of these data to infer past patterns of population size change,
>admixture and selection. The post-holder will work closely with Dr
>Richard Gill and his team in the Department of Life Sciences at the
>Silwood Park campus of Imperial College London, who are conducting
>population trait evolution and manipulative experiments as complementary
>components of the project. The project also involves working with the
>imaging and digitisation teams at the Natural History Museum, and museum
>curators and other leading researchers from around the UK. The overall
>aim f or the project is to better understand the dynamics of how insect
>pollinator populations have (and will) change in response to changes in
>land-use and associated factors, and how they adapt to newly emerging
>environments and the impact on fitness.
>
>The post will be based at the Natural History Museum, and will make use
>of the Museum's excellent molecular laboratory facilities and extensive
>collections. The successful applicant will be interested in the recovery
>of DNA sequences from museum specimens, and the application of these data
>in evolutionary biology and applying this to eco-evolutionary questions.
>
>Salary will be £33,416 per annum plus benefits.
>
>Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Selina Brace
>(s.brace@nhm.ac.uk) or Prof Ian Barnes (i.barnes@nhm.ac.uk).
>
>Closing date: 9am on Monday 16 October 2017.
>
>----------
>STAFF RESEARCH SCIENTIST: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, STRI, PANAMA
>
>(N.B. STRI has a strong tradition of Social Insect research)
>
>The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI; www.stri.si.edu),
>headquartered in the Republic of Panama, is seeking an outstanding
>behavioral biologist to establish an independent world-class research
>program in animal behavior. The successful candidate will apply a deep
>understanding of natural history to resolve basic questions about
>behavioral mechanisms, evolutionary processes, and adaptive function.
>Areas of specialty may include, but are not limited, to behavioral
>ecology, evolution of behavior, sensory and neuroethology, chemical
>ecology of behavior, behavior developmental physiology and functional
>morphology, and the genetic basis of behavior. Candidates working on any
>animal taxa, marine or terrestrial, will be considered. Previous
>experience working in the tropics is not required. The successful
>candidate will have opportunities to mentor pre- and post-doctoral
>fellows drawn from an international community, and collaborate with the
>entire Smithsonian staff.
>
>STRI has state-of-the-art research facilities, as well as terrestrial and
>marine field stations, and reserves throughout the country. There are
>environmental monitoring facilities, a large, multilingual support staff,
>and a library with extensive holdings in the natural sciences, as well as
>electronic access to all the Smithsonian libraries. The Republic of
>Panama and the adjacent regions of tropical America are phenomenally rich
>in terrestrial and marine habitats. The new staff member will join a
>vibrant scientific community of 30 staff scientists, and an international
>community of over 1500 scientific visitors per year, including fellows
>and interns supported through the Smithsonian. Staff scientists maintain
>diverse research programs covering ecology, evolution, physiology,
>development, and behavior of marine and terrestrial organisms and
>ecosystems, both ancient and modern, and the role of human interactions
>in shaping tropical environments. Staff scientists are not limited to
>conducting their research in or near Panama. The position consists of
>full-time research. Internal funds are provided for laboratory setup,
>core ongoing research and travel. Staff scientists may supplement their
>basic yearly research budget by competing for additional intramural and
>external research funds. Staff scientists are evaluated on their research
>accomplishments. There is no official tenure, but rather a system of
>periodic reviews that allows for long-term research projects. For more
>information on working at STRI see the FAQ:
>http://www.stri.si.edu/recruiter/users/jobs.php?id?4
>
>No formal teaching is required, but in addition to mentoring
>post-doctoral fellows, students, and interns, STRI scientists are
>encouraged to teach in graduate training programs with affiliated
>universities, and to participate in outreach to local and international
>audiences. Early- to mid-career candidates are encouraged. Annual salary
>is commensurate with experience. Compensation packages are
>internationally competitive, and include allowances to support
>educational expenses for dependent children at international schools. The
>position is based in the Republic of Panama. Relocation expenses are
>provided.
>
>Qualifications: A Ph.D. and post-doctoral research experience in a
>relevant field, an outstanding publication record, demonstrated success
>in obtaining research grants, a history of successful collaborative
>research, and demonstrated skill in communicating science to the public.
>
>To Apply: Please submit the following as PDF files: a cover letter,
>curriculum vitae, statement of research accomplishments and interests in
>animal behavior and related fields, PDFs of three to five significant
>publications, and the names and contact information of three references
>to strisearch@si.edu. Address inquiries to Dr. Rachel Page, Chair, Animal
>Behavior Search Committee, at PageR@si.edu.
>
>Positions are open until filled; review of applications will begin on
>November 15, 2017 and interviews will commence shortly thereafter.
>
>STRI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in
>its workforce. Appointments are made without regard to nationality. In
>addition this position in animal behavior, STRI is currently filling
>staff scientist positions in terrestrial microbial ecology, forest
>biology and marine biology, and is supportive of the needs of dual career
>couples. For more information on the positions STRI is offering, please
>see our webpage: http://www.stri.si.edu/recruiter/users/jobs.php?id?4
>
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