Category: Opportunities Outside IOB

NIH-funded Postdoctoral Opportunity in Genomics
A highly motivated Research Associate is sought for multiple genomic
research projects in honey bees. The primary responsibility will lie
in the analysis of RNA-Seq and Methyl-Seq data sets. In addition, the
candidate may take the lead on a comparative genomic project within
the genus Apis and realize related research ideas. Therefore,
programming and related bioinformatic skills, analytical thinking,
team work, and communication skills are essential. An interest in
social insect biology and evolution is preferred. Salary will be
commensurate with experience. PhD desirable, but not required.
The position will be in the Department of Biology at the University of
North Carolina in Greensboro and is initially funded for one year.
Review of applications will begin immediately until position is
filled.

To apply for this position, please visit UNCG’s JobSearch website
https://jobsearch.uncg.edu  to complete the application process for
position #999620 — Research Associate. A CV and a personal statement,
including contact information for two professional references, are
required. Please contact Dr. Olav Rueppell (
http://biology.uncg.edu/faculty/olav_rueppell/) for additional details.

*CNRS, TOULOUSE, FRANCE*

A post-doctoral position is available for two years on the following
project, “Identification of key genes underlying disease resistance to
estimate the adaptive potential of natural plant populations in the
current climate change”. The postdoctoral researcher will spend 24
months in the research group of Fabrice Roux
(http://www6.toulouse.inra.fr/lipm_eng/Research/Fabrice-Roux) at the
Institute of Plant — Microbes Interactions (LIPM) in Toulouse (France;
http://www6.toulouse.inra.fr/lipm). This position is available from
September 2014 and is funded by the Laboratory of Excellence ‘Towards a
Unified theory of biotic Interactions: the roLe of environmental
Perturbations'(Labex TULIP) and the Région Midi-Pyrénées.

The main goals of the post-doctoral project are (i) to identify genes in
the model plant /Arabidopsis thaliana /associated with natural variation
of microbiota, and (ii) to identify the signatures of selection acting
on those genes. The postdoctoral researcher will be in charge of (i) the
characterization of the bacterial and fungal communities (barcoding
approach) in 80 natural populations of /A. thaliana /located at
different altitudes in the South-West of France, (ii) the genomic
characterization of those 80 /A. thaliana/ populations (Pool-Seq
approach), (iii) the statistical analyses to map the genes associated
with natural variation of microbial communities, and (iv) the genome
scan of molecular signatures of natural selection. The post-doctoral
researcher will work in close collaboration with the bioinformatic
platform (Institute of Plant — Microbes Interactions, LIPM) that will
perform the analysis of NGS data. The project offers many opportunities
for the postdoctoral researcher to pursue its own ideas using available
genomic data.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated evolutionary biologist
with a strong background in quantitative genetics and population genomics
(with the prerequisite bioinformatic skills to carry out analyses of
population genomic data sets) and, if possible, with laboratory experience
in molecular methods related to metagenomics.

The Institute of Plant-Microbe Interactions (LIPM) of Toulouse, located
on the campus of the French National Institute for Agronomy (INRA)
belongs to an institute (FR-AIB) which homes about 350 researchers from
INRA, CNRS and University studying Molecular Biology and Evolutionary
Ecology in plants. Toulouse, located in the South West of France, near
the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean sea, is attractive for its wide
variety of food and wines, and is an active area for Plant Research and
seed companies.

For application, please send a short CV including a description of past
and present research activities, a motivation letter and the contact
details of at least two referees. Applicants should not have more than
five years experience after they obtained their PhD degree.The salary is
about 2200 EUR a month.

*Applications or informal enquiries should be sent to:*

*Dr Fabrice Roux, Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microorganismes
(LIPM), UMR CNRS/INRA 2594, BP 52627, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan cedex,
France. Tel : +33 (0)5 61 28 54 59. Fax : +33 (5) 61 28 50 61. E-mail :
fabrice.roux@toulouse.inra.fr***

Evolutionary Biology Group of Professor Jacek Radwan at Adam Mickiewicz
University, Poznan, is looking for a Post-Doc  in an NCN-funded project
investigating evolution of MHC copy number using both empirical and
theoretical approaches.  The post-doc will perform computer simulations
exploring alternative evolutionary mechanisms potentially shaping the
number of expressed MHC genes.

The candidate should hold PhD degree in biological sciences,  computer
sciences or mathematics and should have significant achievements in
theoretical modelling of biological processes, documented by publications
in international scientific journals. Competence in computer programming is
essential.

The employment is offered for up to three years, starting ideally in
October 2014, but it is negotiable. Application deadline is 1 September
2014. Further information can be obtained from the project leader via
email: jradwan@amu.edu.pl

We are recruiting a Research Fellow to participate in an exciting
interdisciplinary collaboration between a mathematical modelling groups
of Dr Ivana Gudelj and Prof Robert Beardmore, University of Exeter,
UK and  Computational Biology and Oncology Departments at AstraZeneca,
Cambridge. This position is available from 1st July 2014 for the period
of 2 years. The successful applicant will contribute towards research
that uses concepts from ecology and Darwinian evolution applied to
micro-organisms, to understand the strength of natural selection in
cancer cells.

The successful applicant will be working on the development and
analysis of mathematica models in Dr Gudelj and Prof Beardmore’s labs
at the University of Exeter in close collaborations with colleagues at
AstraZeneca, Cambridge. Applicants will posses a PhD in a quantitative
discipline (mathematics, physics, engineering or computer science) and be
familiar with ordinary differential equations, their use in modelling,
analysis (Dynamical Systems techniques) and simulation.  The successful
candidate should be able to communicate effectively with individuals
from a wide range of disciplines.

More information about the project and how to apply can be found at:
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AIU198/associate-research-fellow/

The School of Environment & Life Sciences at Salford University, Manchester, is investing in its expanding profile of research and training in the areas of human health and environment. We are now offering new academic positions, some of which are highly relevant to modern evolutionary biology, such as:

Lecturer in Bioinformatics/Genomics – Salary range: £37,756 – £45,053, see REF: 1410411
Lecturer in Spatial Epidemiology – Salary range: £37,756 – £45,053, see REF: 1409681
Chair in Science Communication & Digital Media – Salary range: Professorial scale, see REF: 1415337

To apply, visit: www.jobs.salford.ac.uk/
Closing date: 8 June 2014
Interviews will take place in the week commencing 23 June 2014.

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Michael
J. Stanhope in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic
Sciences, in the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. Research areas
of the lab involve evolutionary genomics of a wide variety of organisms
including bacteria, protozoans, and sharks. We are looking for a person
to work in the area of elasmobranch comparative transcriptomics and/or
population genomics. This work will be conducted in collaboration with
Dr. Mahmood Shivji from Nova Southeastern University’s Save Our Seas
Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research Institute.  The comparative
transcriptomic work would be designed to assess the molecular features
associated with various physiological, behavioral and reproductive life
history differences characteristic of different taxa. The population
genomics work would involve analyzing genotyping by sequencing data
originating from global population samples of different species of sharks,
with the goal of developing a high-resolution population structure and
demographics picture for conservation management purposes.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a biological sciences discipline and be
comfortable working with high throughput short read datasets in a Linux
environment. The ideal candidate will have a background in population
genomics, and/or eukaryotic transcriptomics.

The start date is flexible, but preferably before
October/2014. Applications will be accepted until the position is
filled. Competitive salaries commensurate with experience and skills,
as well as a generous benefits package will be offered. The position
is full-time for two years subject to the completion of a satisfactory
probation period for new appointees; further extension may be available
subject to funding, need and performance.

Interested applicants should send a CV, a brief description of research
interests and experience, and contact information for three references
to Michael J. Stanhope at mjs297@cornell.edu.

The newly established Alvarez-Ponce lab at the University of Nevada,
Reno, is accepting applications for a postdoctoral position to work on
molecular evolution. Research in the lab focuses on the evolution of
molecular pathways and networks (e.g., protein-protein interaction
networks, metabolic pathways/networks, signal transduction
pathways/networks, etc.), and the adaptation of proteins to different
temperatures.

The initial appointment will be for 24 months, with the possibility of
extension depending on funds availability. The preferred starting date
is September/October 2014.

The successful candidate will have:
– A PhD in Biology, Computer Science or a related field.
– A strong interest in Molecular Evolution.
– Experience with bioinformatics analyses, including programming in any
scripting language (e.g. PERL or Python).
– Evidence of excellence in research and high productivity.
– Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience in as many as possible of the following areas would be a plus:
– Network analyses.
– Molecular evolution analyses, and in particular natural
selection analyses.
– Computer simulations.
– Protein structure analysis, and homology modeling.
– Next Generation Sequencing.

Candidates should e-mail the following information to David
Alvarez-Ponce (david.alvarez.ponce@gmail.com) as a single PDF:
– An application letter, addressing the applicant¢s motivation for the
position, and how their experience and skills fulfill the requirements
listed above.
– A full CV.
– Contact information for 2 or 3 potential referees.

More information about the lab can be found at www.genomeevol.wordpress.com

The newly established Alvarez-Ponce lab at the University of Nevada,
Reno, is accepting applications for a postdoctoral position to work on
molecular evolution. Research in the lab focuses on the evolution of
molecular pathways and networks (e.g., protein-protein interaction
networks, metabolic pathways/networks, signal transduction
pathways/networks, etc.), and the adaptation of proteins to different
temperatures.

The initial appointment will be for 24 months, with the possibility of
extension depending on funds availability. The preferred starting date
is September/October 2014.

The successful candidate will have:
– A PhD in Biology, Computer Science or a related field.
– A strong interest in Molecular Evolution.
– Experience with bioinformatics analyses, including programming in any
scripting language (e.g. PERL or Python).
– Evidence of excellence in research and high productivity.
– Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience in as many as possible of the following areas would be a plus:
– Network analyses.
– Molecular evolution analyses, and in particular natural
selection analyses.
– Computer simulations.
– Protein structure analysis, and homology modeling.
– Next Generation Sequencing.

Candidates should e-mail the following information to David
Alvarez-Ponce (david.alvarez.ponce@gmail.com) as a single PDF:
– An application letter, addressing the applicant¢s motivation for the
position, and how their experience and skills fulfill the requirements
listed above.
– A full CV.
– Contact information for 2 or 3 potential referees.

More information about the lab can be found at www.genomeevol.wordpress.com

A postdoctoral position (two years at least) is available in Connie
Mulligan’s lab at the University of Florida.

Two NSF-funded projects are currently ongoing and the successful
candidate can work on one or both: 1) Examination of DNA methylation
patterns in mothers and newborns from the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) to test whether epigenetic alterations mediate the effects of
maternal exposure to stressors on fetal development and neonatal
health. Specifically, we are testing if epigenetic modifications
may mediate changes in gene expression in infants or mothers that
result from maternal trauma and material deprivation associated
with the war in the DRC. More broadly, we are interested in the
idea that behavior and complex phenotypes may be shaped by early life
experiences that alter gene expression through epigenetic alterations. See
https://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/epigenetics/2012EPI0162R-X.pdf
2) Investigation of the genetic and cultural underpinnings of complex
diseases that exhibit racial inequalities, using hypertension in
African-Americans as a model phenotype.  We are combining the
analysis of genome-wide SNPs, genetic ancestry estimates, and
epigenetic variation with sociocultural data including experience
of discrimination and social network analysis. By combining
genetic and socio-cultural data, our goal is a more comprehensive
investigation of complex disease and racial disparities than
is possible with only one type of data. See related study –
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0006821

Qualifications: A PhD and a strong background in generation of genetic
data (microarray analysis, DNA sequencing, SNP detection, etc.) and
data analysis (gene association analysis, regression analysis, genetic
ancestry estimation, linkage analysis, etc) are essential. Experience
generating methylation data or additional computational experience
(e.g. computer programming, simulation analysis, etc) is a plus. In
addition to the projects listed above, there are excellent opportunities
for the successful candidate to develop new lines of research as well
as productive collaborations outside the lab.

The University of Florida is a leading research institution with
a university-wide commitment to genetics research. The Department
of Anthropology (www.anthro.ufl.edu) has 30 full-time faculty with
diverse interests and a very strong biological subfield, with emphases
on molecular, paleo, and forensic anthropology.  The department is one of
the top rated programs in the country (6th among public institutions, 11th
overall). The University of Florida Genetics Institute (www.ufgi.ufl.edu)
is an inter-college entity with a new research building intended to
enhance opportunities for collaboration. Gainesville is located in north
central Florida (away from the hurricanes!), with average temperatures
ranging from 45F to 90F. Beaches on the gulf and Atlantic coast are ~
1½ hours away.

To apply: via email, send a CV, a statement of research interests, and
the names and contact information (including email and phone) for three
references. Applications and inquiries should be addressed to Connie
Mulligan at cmulligan@ufl.edu.

Review of materials will begin immediately and will continue until
the position is filled. Start date is flexible and can start as early
as August, 2014. Salary is commensurate with experience. Position may
be extended for a total of three years. Informal inquiries prior to
submitting a formal application are welcome. AA/EOE.

Fixed term for 12 months in the first instance, potential for extension
Salary is from £28,132 to £38,907

An Experimental Officer (Project Scientist) position is available
for experts in Next-Generation-Sequencing, Genomics and ideally
Laboratory Automation, who will oversee the day-to-day operations of
a new environmental genomics centre at the University of Birmingham,
School of Biosciences. We are seeking prospective candidates who have
demonstrated skills in molecular biology or biochemistry, project design,
data management and analysis.

The successful candidate will work within a vibrant, interdisciplinary,
research team that uses high-throughput genomics technologies to study
environmental effects on genomic structures and gene functions, and to
understand how natural populations adapt to cope with environmental
challenges, including chemical contaminants (pollutants) and climate
change. Specifically, the Experimental Officer will develop and adapt
new techniques in genomics to promote this line of research, allowing
the routine processing of thousands of samples for sequencing and
gene expression profiling. This job also involves collaborating with
investigators, writing laboratory protocols, supervising 4-5 laboratory
personnel, contributing to research publication and grant writing efforts,
training students and postdocs in molecular biology, genomics, and in
operating robots. Strong organizational, record keeping, oral and written
communication skills – coupled with the ability to work independently
and cooperatively – are required. Overall, the hired applicant will
benefit from the academic life of the School and will gain experience
at mentoring early career scientists in the lab.

Applicants can hold a PhD in genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry,
systems engineering or related disciplines; or have in-depth laboratory
experience in performing experiments involving next-generation sequencing,
managing and analyzing genomics data.

Post is available NOW

To download the details and submit an electronic application online
visit: www.hr.bham.ac.uk/jobs

Closing date: 30 June 2014  Reference: 47468

Valuing excellence; sustaining investment