13 December 2011

2 Postdoc positions in EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (population genomics/comparative genomics) (Konstanz )

(http://www.evolutionsbiologie.uni-konstanz.de/index.php?section=10) in the Department of Biology at the University of Konstanz in Germany are available from March 2012 on.

The positions are for Ph.D. biologists, ideally with prior experience in bioinformatics, molecular evolution or population genomics. We have recently received funding through an ERC advanced grant for work on the comparative genomics of parallel evolution of repeated adaptive radiations of cichlid fishes in Nicaragua (see: Elmer and Meyer. 2011. Adaptation in the age of ecological genomics: insights from parallelism and  convergence. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 26: 298-306).

In the crater lakes of Nicaragua a natural experiment is taking place. Several adaptive radiations of cichlid fishes formed independently within only a few thousand years after colonization from a large  ancestral lake. These extremely young adaptive radiations consist of species that arose in sympatry and evolved parallel adaptations (such as limnetic and benthic body forms, hypertrophied lips and molariform  dentition) repeatedly in their new habitats. We plan to establish these Nicaraguan cichlids as a new ecological model system. Through comparative and population genomic approaches we plan to investigate the role and mechanisms of natural selection at the level of the entire genome. We will ask, what is the genetic basis of species differences
and ecologically relevant morphological traits that led to parallel adaptations? Through comparative genomic and population genomic analyses (including establishing a reference genome), genome resequencing, and  linkage, quantitative trait and association mapping, we plan to identify genomic regions, candidate genes, and characterize the genetic differences that contribute to the adaptive phenotypic differences between extremely
young species.

For publications of the lab see:
http://www.evolutionsbiologie.uni-konstanz.de/index.php?section'

Excellent working conditions are available in terms of space, equipment, departmental facilities and financial support for research expenses. The lab has state-of- the-art facilities for molecular and developmental biology, including Illumina and Roche FLX next-generation sequencers at the Genomics Center Konstanz
(http://cms.uni-konstanz.de/en/genomics-center/).

The University of Konstanz and the Department of Biology are among the most highly ranked institutions in Germany and provide a lively and academically outstanding research environment. Konstanz is a lovely historic town located on Lake Constance on the border to Switzerland. Appointments are initially for two to three years, and are renewable for up to five years, with an annual gross salary (depending on prior  experience) of about 58,000 Euros (about 73.000 US$). Habilitation is possible.

Additional information can be obtained from a.meyer@uni- konstanz.de, (tel.+49 7531 884163, fax + 49 7531 883018) or from our www page.http://www.evolutionsbiologie.uni-konstanz.de.

Applications including a statement of research interests, a full CV, and names and email addresses of 3  referees, should be emailed to a.meyer@uni-konstanz.de. Applications should be received before December
24, 2011. Interviews will be conducted in January 2012. The University of Konstanz is an equal opportunity employer.

Axel Meyer
axel.meyer@uni-konstanz.de
Universität Konstanz
Konstanz

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