Society of Systematic Biologists

A PhD position in the evolutionary ecology of host-parasite interactions is available for up to 4 years in Prof. Jacob Koella's lab at the University of Neuchⴥl. The position would suit an enthusiastic, motivated, and independent graduate whose degree has a strong component in parasitology, evolution or ecology. The general area of research will be the evolutlonary ecology of parasites at several levels of organization, linking the host's ecological situation with the parasite's dynamics within its host and its epidemiology, and using one of the host-parasite systems used in the lab (malaria, microsporidians and mosquitoes). The details of the project (including the balance between theoretical and empirical work) will be adapted to suit your interests, and you will be given the time to, and be expected to, have considerable input in developing the project. The position requires some teaching of undergraduate and graduate biology labs, usually in French, and you will have the opportunity to supervise undergraduate and Masters projects. An MSc (or equivalent) in Biology is required. The position is available as of August 1, 2013, with starting date preferably by October 1, 2013. The starting salary is about 35000 Fr. Neuchⴥl is located in the French part of Switzerland and is an attractive city with a high quality of life. The city is located on the shore of Lake Neuchⴥl with the Jura Mountains to the North and a view of the Bernese Alps to the South. For outdoors enthusiasts, this is an excellent area for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing or skiing. If you are interested in the position, please send a 1-2 page cover letter indicating research interests and background, your CV, and two letters of reference to jkoella[at]gmail.com before May 18, 2013. Jacob Koella Institut de Biologie Universit頤e Neuchⴥl rue Emile-Argand 11 2000 Neuchⴥl Switzerland jkoella[at]gmail.com

RESEARCH POST IN ANIMAL BREEDING & GENETICS AT INIA, MADRID A research position is available at the Animal Breeding Department of INIA, Madrid (Spain) to work on the topic 'Estimation of the impact of selection and inbreeding on genetic diversity using genomic tools'. The project is funded by the Spanish Government and is a collaboration of INIA (Beatriz Villanueva y Jesús Fernández), the 'Universidad Politécnica de Madrid' (Miguel Angel Toro) and the 'Universidad de Vigo' (Armando Caballero). In this coordinated project we will evaluate from theoretical and computational developments and analysis of empirical data, the applicability of SNP markers in the estimation of allelic diversity, purging of deleterious variants, estimation of effective population size, and footprint of selection. Tasks for this post will involve computer simulations and analysis of dairy cattle SNP data. Candidates should have a strong background in quantitative genetics, population genetics or animal breeding and a university degree valid in Spain. Strong communication and computer skills are required. Postgraduate qualifications will be an advantage. The post is available for 2 years. The salary will be determined according to the Spanish public research salary scale. The deadline for applications is Friday 3rd May 2013. Unfortunately all the documentation and the application form (attached) are in Spanish. Beatriz Villanueva Gaviña Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria) Carretera de La Coruña km 7,5 28040 Madrid, Spain Tel.: 34 91 347 6807 Fax: 34 91 347 8743 villanueva.beatriz[at]inia.es ****** Jesús Fernández Martín Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal 34-91 3471487 Instituto Nacional de Investigación y 34-91 3478743 (FAX) Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) jmj[at]inia.es Crta. A Coruña Km. 7,5 28040 Madrid (SPAIN) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5714008/Fernandez.htm Jesús Fernández Martín

Workshop on Next Generation Population Genomics for Nonmodel Taxa 23-24 July, 2013 Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Website http://www.certain.com/system/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x4653687438&varPage=home If the above URL does not work, go to http://www.theaga.org/aga2013-species-continuum/, scroll down and click on the fishy genome scan figure. Application: 45 student capacity -- applications received before May 15 will receive priority consideration. Goal: to compare and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to genome sequencing and bioinformatics when studying population genomics in nonmodel species. Population genomics involves sampling, financial, and bioinformatics trade-offs, so proper experimental design requires understanding probability, sequencing technologies and evolutionary theory and how they relate to research trade-offs. We will illustrate the computational challenges and how they interact with choices at the population and genomic sampling stages. We will not give you all the answers, but in two days we hope to help you ask the right questions to improve study design. Travel grants are available, sponsored by the American Genetics Association. This workshop immediately follows the 2013 AGA speciation symposium (get more info at http://www.theaga.org/aga2013-species-continuum/). Workshop Instructors: Alex Buerkle, Department of Botany, University of Wyoming Nancy Chen, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University Andy Clark, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University Pierre De Wit, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden Matthew Hare, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University Target Audience: graduate students and postdocs Cost: $150 Prerequisites: Students are expected to have a working knowledge of population genetics. You must bring your own laptop and some software installations should be accomplished before you arrive. Practical exercises will be on your laptop and through remote access to servers. See the website for more information or contact Matthew Hare Associate Professor Department of Natural Resources Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-5685 http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/HareLab/harelab.html mph75[at]cornell.edu evoldir[at]evol.biology.mcmaster.ca

I am looking for a PhD student to study genomics of speciation in band-rumped storm-petrels (BRSP). BRSP represent an exciting case of repeated sympatric speciation (i.e. speciation with gene flow) by allochrony (separation of populations by breeding time). Initial studies in my lab documented the pattern of divergence. We now want to investigate the mechanisms. The project will entail application of functional gene analysis and comparative genomics to an existing large sample collection. Field work on barren tropical islands may be required. Applicants must have a background in evolutionary genetics. Practical experience with genomics and bioinformatics is an asset. The successful applicant will join a dynamic group of faculty and students studying ecology and evolution at Queen's University. Please send a resume or curriculum vitae, informal transcript, and contact information for two academic references asap to Dr. Vicki Friesen. Acceptance is conditional on the applicant receiving a Trillium Scholarship: contact Dr. Friesen asap for further information. Deadline for completed application: May 6 2013. See http://post.queensu.ca/~birdpop/index.html for more information on the Friesen lab. Dr. Vicki Friesen, Professor Department of Biology, 4443 Biosciences, 116 Barrie Street, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada Tel: 613-533-6156 Fax: 613-533-6617 Haida Saying: Treat the Earth well: it is not given to us by our parents, it is loaned to us by our children. Vicki Friesen

A PhD studentship titled "Understanding host defense and parasite offense: the coevolution of circadian rhythms" is available to be jointly supervised by Sarah Reece and Nick Savill (Edinburgh; IEB and IIIR). Background: The discovery of biological rhythms, such as circadian rhythms, in parasite behaviours [1] and host immune responses [2] suggests that timing matters for how hosts and parasites interact with each other. For example, the developmental rhythm of many malaria parasite species is coordinated; parasites invade host red blood cells, replicate, and then release their progeny in a timed, synchronized burst. However, to date, the study of parasite biological rhythms has rarely considered whether parasites are organising their own schedules or whether parasites are passive and scheduled by aspects of host physiology with circadian rhythms. Rhythms in immune defence and parasite development could provide an evolutionary advantage to hosts, parasites or both, and both parties may to some extent control each other’s rhythms [3]. This project will bridge this divide to investigate the evolutionary ecology of biological rhythms in host- parasite interactions. The project will integrate the study of circadian rhythms, behavioural, and mathematical biology to investigate the evolutionary ecology of biological rhythms in host-parasite interactions. The project offers a novel opportunity to combine experiments and theory by collecting data from the lab [e.g. 1] and then using the data to undertake statistical inference of disease processes [e.g. 4, 5]. The project will focus on an established disease model (rodent malaria [e.g. 1,4-7]) and specific topics that could form the focus of the PhD include: (A) How are rhythms in parasite development initiated and maintained? Do parasites use their own time-keeping mechanisms to organise development or do they use cues from the host's circadian rhythms? (B) How do rhythms affect the survival and transmission of parasites? Have parasites evolved time-keeping mechanisms to better exploit host resources or to evade immune killing? (C) Are rhythms in parasite development and host immune responses adaptive for parasites, hosts, or neither? We are looking for a highly motivated and exceptional candidate excited about working at the boundary of scientific disciplines. You should have, or expect to gain, a 1st or 2i degree classification in the life sciences. The project will be co-supervised by Sarah Reece and Nick Savill (Edinburgh) and is part of a larger project involving Nicole Mideo (Penn State/Toronto) and Bert Maier (Charite, Berlin) that is funded by a Human Frontiers of Science Project grant. Closing date May 31st. Application instructions can be found here (please note - fees are available for UK students only): http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=41789&LID=455 References: [1] O’Donnell A.J., Schneider P., McWatters H.G. & Reece S.E. (2011) Fitness costs of disrupting circadian rhythms in malaria parasites, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B, 278(171): 2429- 2436

 [2] Keller M., Mazuch J., Abraham U., Eom G.D., Herzog E.D., Volk H.D., Kramer A. & Maier B. (2009) 
A circadian clock in macrophages controls inflammatory immune responses.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 106(50):21407-12.

 [3] Mideo, N., Reece, S.E., Smith, A. Metcalf, C.J.E. (2013) The Cinderella Syndrome: Why do malaria-infected cells burst at midnight? Trends in Parasitology, 29: 10-16. [4] Miller M.R., Raberg L., Read A.F. & Savill N.J. (2010) Quantitative analysis of immune response and erythropoiesis during rodent malaria infection, PLoS Computational Biology, 6(9):e1000946.

 [5] Mideo N., Savill N.J., Chadwick W., Schneider P., Read A.F., Day T. & Reece S.E. (2011) Causes of variation in malaria infection dynamics: insights from theory and data. American Naturalist, 178(6): E174-E188 [6] Pollitt L.C., Mideo N., Drew D., Schneider P., Colegrave N. & Reece S.E. (2011) Competition and the evolution of reproductive restraint in malaria parasites. American Naturalist, 177(3): 358-367 [7] Schneider P., Bell A.S., Sim D.G., O’Donnell A.J., Blanford A., Paaijmans K., Read A.F. & Reece S.E. (2012) Virulence, drug sensitivity and transmission success in the rodent malaria, Plasmodium chabaudi. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 279(1747): 4677-85. Subject Area(s): Evolution
 Parasitology
 Genetics
 Molecular Biology 
Zoology/Animal Science Dr Sarah Reece Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution. Institutes of Evolution, Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT Scotland, UK Tel +44 131 650 5547 Fax +44 131 650 6564 sarah.reece[at]ed.ac.uk http://reece.bio.ed.ac.uk/ -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Sarah Reece

Next up on http://phyloseminar.org/ "How Carl Woese transformed the field of microbial ecology" Ed DeLong (MIT) The challenges of dissecting naturally occurring microbial assemblages, with respect to their community composition, interspecies interactions, functional attributes, and activities, are numerous and daunting. For many years, these challenges impeded our understanding of the properties and dynamics of microbial communities, and thus hindered development of the field of microbial ecology. Enter Carl Woese: the theory and application of molecular phylogenetics and genomics in studies of microbial evolution and ecology can be traced directly to Woese and one of his primary collaborators, Norman Pace. This lecture will trace the logic and roots of the application of molecular phylogenetics and genomics to the study of microbial ecology, through a historical review and examination of its past and current applications. West Coast USA: 10:00 (10:00 AM) on Monday, May 13 East Coast USA: 13:00 (01:00 PM) on Monday, May 13 UK: 18:00 (06:00 PM) on Monday, May 13 France: 19:00 (07:00 PM) on Monday, May 13 Japan: 02:00 (02:00 AM) on Tuesday, May 14 New Zealand: 05:00 (05:00 AM) on Tuesday, May 14 -- Frederick "Erick" Matsen, Assistant Member Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center http://matsen.fhcrc.org/ ematsen[at]gmail.com

Two more genetics lab technician positions at the Smithsonian. They are federal positions so you must be an US citizen - sorry to those who would like to apply but are not eligible. Good luck, Karen Begin forwarded message: Subject: [LabAll] Lab technician positions in NMNH - announcements open on USAJOBS 2 permanent full time positions advertised at NMNH for molecular lab technicians: Please forward/post/advertise LAB: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/342031100 Entomology: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/342035800 ~~~ Karen Osborn osbornk@si.edu 202-633-3668 Research Zoologist/Curator Department of Invertebrate Zoology Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, MRC-163 P.O. Box 37012 Washington, DC 20013-7012 USA Courier address: Smithsonian Institution, MRC 0163, Natural History, West Loading Dock 10th and Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20560 OsbornK[at]si.edu

--_000_6BB468F6C55A0144ABDDFA5456645A5522676463ITEXDB02uncoedu_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Graduate Position: U. Northern Colorado. Plant Conservation Genetics Masters position in Plant Conservation Genetics A MS position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Mitchell McGlaughlin at the University of Northern Colorado. This is part of Bureau of Land Management funded project to enhance our understanding of breeding system and genetic structure in a US threatened annual Phacelia (Boraginaceae). The project will have three major components: 1) designing species specific microsatellite markers for Phacelia, 2) conducting paternity analysis of two populations where maternal plants and seeds will be genotyped to determine if the species is predominantly outcrossing or selfing, and 3) examining population genetic structure across the landscape where the species occurs. Funding will cover all lab and field expenses associated with this project. The selected student will be supported through a TA at UNC, which includes a full tuition waiver. Students interested in conservation genetics, population genetics, plant breeding systems or evolutionary biology are encouraged to apply. Applicants to UNC are required to have taken the GRE general test, and submit undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation with a department specific evaluation form, and a letter of intent. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Mitchell McGlaughlin (mitchell.mcglaughlin[at]unco.edu) prior to submitting an application. For more information about application procedures and the department visit: http://www.unco.edu/nhs/biology/students/grad_programs.html or the McGlaughlin Lab visit: http://www.unco.edu/mcglaughlinlab/Site/Home.html -- Mitchell McGlaughlin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor School of Biological Sciences 501 20th Street, Ross Hall 1560 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 80639 970-351-2139 Mitchell.McGlaughlin[at]unco.edu http://www.unco.edu/mcglaughlinlab --_000_6BB468F6C55A0144ABDDFA5456645A5522676463ITEXDB02uncoedu_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-ID: Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Graduate Position: U. Northern Colorado. Plant Conservation Genetics
Masters position in Plant Conservation Genetics
A MS position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Mitchell McGlaughlin at the University of Northern Colorado. This is part of Bureau of Land Management funded project to enhance our understanding of breeding system and genetic structure in a US threatened annual Phacelia (Boraginaceae). The project will have three major components: 1) designing species specific microsatellite markers for Phacelia, 2) conducting paternity analysis of two populations where maternal plants and seeds will be genotyped to determine if the species is predominantly outcrossing or selfing, and 3) examining population genetic structure across the landscape where the species occurs. Funding will cover all lab and field expenses associated with this project. The selected student will be supported through a TA at UNC, which includes a full tuition waiver.
Students interested in conservation genetics, population genetics, plant breeding systems or evolutionary biology are encouraged to apply. Applicants to UNC are required to have taken the GRE general test, and submit undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation with a department specific evaluation form, and a letter of intent. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Mitchell McGlaughlin (mitchell.mcglaughlin[at]unco.edu) prior to submitting an application.
For more information about application procedures and the department visit: