POSTDOC: GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY OF ANTS, YALE
https://bgc.yale.edu/opportunities A new, 2-3 year postdoc position is available in association with the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change (BGC Center), the GEO BON Species Populations Working Group, Map of Life, and the Jetz Lab. The position is part of a larger, collaborative initiative to advance a conservation-relevant knowledgebase for focal taxa at a global scale, supported through the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and associated sponsors, NASA and others. The postdoc will benefit from working closely with a growing group of Center-based biodiversity scientists, modelers, coordinators, and informaticians and from engaging with a global collaborative network of species group and methods experts worldwide. Support for project-related travel and workshops is available. Target start date for the position is spring through fall 2020.
We are seeking an innovative thinker with a strong quantitative background who is interested in addressing ecological, conservation, biogeographic, or macroevolutionary questions for Ants as a global study system. Qualifications for the position include a PhD in ecology, conservation, macroevolution, bio-/geography, or biological informatics, combined with experience in spatial biodiversity analysis and inference. The preferred candidate will have a deep understanding of this species group, a passion for advancing its spatial knowledge base, a strong interest in the model-based integration of large, disparate biodiversity data, a dedication toward conscientious work in a team, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. Particularly welcome is an ability to traverse ecological, evolutionary, and conservation perspectives and to address processes at different spatial and temporal scales. We expect strong analysis and scientific writing skills. Experience in several scripting languages, database management, taxonomic name management, remote sensing, and/or biodiversity informatics are highly welcome.
The position offers broad thematic flexibility, and focal research questions may be macroecological, conservation-focused, biogeographical, macroevolutionary, or comparative. We ask candidates to briefly describe their preferred thematic interest in the cover letter.
We strongly encourage applications from women and minorities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values in our group, and we believe that a diverse team will enable a broader perspective and enhance creativity.
The Yale BGC Center connects biodiversity scientists from across campus and hosts a range of speaker and workshop events. It supports research and training around the use of new technologies and data flows for model-based inference and prediction of biodiversity distributions and changes at large spatial and taxonomic scales. Flagship Center projects include Map of Life and activities supporting the Half- Earth Map and the development of the GEO BON Species Population Essential Biodiversity Variables. Other initiatives associated with the Center include the integration of macroevolutionary and biogeographic inference (e.g., VertLife, ButterflyNet), NASA-supported remote sensing-informed layers and tools for biodiversity modelling (EarthEnv), the Max Planck-Yale Center on Biodiversity Movement and Global Change, and the Wildlife Insights initiative for camera trapping data.
Yale University offers researchers and staff competitive salaries and a generous package of benefits. Yale has a thriving and growing community of young scholars in ecology, evolution and global change science in the EEB Department, the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, the Peabody Museum, and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. New Haven is renowned for its classic Ivy League setting, 75 miles northeast of New York City. To apply please send, in one pdf, a short motivation (i.e. cover) letter, CV and names and contact information for three referees to
anna.schuerkmann@yale.edu, subject « BGC Postdoc – Ants ». Review of applications will begin on 9 December 2019 and continue until the position is filled.
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POSTDOC: GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY OF BEES, YALE
https://bgc.yale.edu/opportunities A new, 2-3 year postdoc position is available in association with the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change (BGC Center), the GEO BON Species Populations Working Group, Map of Life, and the Jetz Lab. The position is part of a larger, collaborative initiative to advance a conservation-relevant knowledgebase for focal taxa at a global scale, supported through the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and associated sponsors, NASA and others. The postdoc will benefit from working closely with a growing group of Center-based biodiversity scientists, modelers, coordinators, and informaticians and from engaging with a global collaborative network of species group and methods experts worldwide. Support for project-related travel and workshops is available. Target start date for the position is spring through fall 2020.
We are seeking an innovative thinker with a strong quantitative background who is interested in addressing ecological, conservation, biogeographic, or macroevolutionary questions for Bees as a global study system. Qualifications for the position include a PhD in ecology, conservation, macroevolution, bio-/geography, or biological informatics, combined with experience in spatial biodiversity analysis and inference. The preferred candidate will have a deep understanding of this species group, a passion for advancing its spatial knowledge base, a strong interest in the model-based integration of large, disparate biodiversity data, a dedication toward conscientious work in a team, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. Particularly welcome is an ability to traverse ecological, evolutionary, and conservation perspectives and to address processes at different spatial and temporal scales. We expect strong analysis and scientific writing skills. Experience in several s cripting languages, database management, taxonomic name management, remote sensing, and/or biodiversity informatics are highly welcome.
The position offers broad thematic flexibility, and focal research questions may be macroecological, conservation-focused, biogeographical, macroevolutionary, or comparative. We ask candidates to briefly describe their preferred thematic interest in the cover letter.
We strongly encourage applications from women and minorities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values in our group, and we believe that a diverse team will enable a broader perspective and enhance creativity.
The Yale BGC Center connects biodiversity scientists from across campus and hosts a range of speaker and workshop events. It supports research and training around the use of new technologies and data flows for model-based inference and prediction of biodiversity distributions and changes at large spatial and taxonomic scales. Flagship Center projects include Map of Life and activities supporting the Half-Earth Map and the development of the GEO BON Species Population Essential Biodiversity Variables. Other initiatives associated with the Center include the integration of macroevolutionary and biogeographic inference (e.g., VertLife, ButterflyNet), NASA-supported remote sensing-informed layers and tools for biodiversity modelling (EarthEnv), the Max Planck-Yale Center on Biodiversity Movement and Global Change, and the Wildlife Insights initiative for camera trapping data.
Yale University offers researchers and staff competitive salaries and a generous package of benefits. Yale has a thriving and growing community of young scholars in ecology, evolution and global change science in the EEB Department, the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, the Peabody Museum, and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. New Haven is renowned for its classic Ivy League setting, 75 miles northeast of New York City. To apply please send, in one pdf, a short motivation (i.e. cover) letter, CV and names and contact information for three referees to
anna.schuerkmann@yale.edu, subject « BGC Postdoc – Bees ». Review of applications will begin on 9 December 2019 and continue until the position is filled.
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POSTDOC IN BEE POPULATION GENETICS/GENOMICS, UNI HALLE, GERMANY
A research scientist/assistant professor is sought for a ‘TV-L 13’ position (reference No. 5-14238/19-H) to join the Paxton lab at the University of Halle, Germany. Broad research themes of the group are host-parasite interactions, pollination ecology and social evolution:
http://www.zoologie.uni-halle.de/allgemeine_zoologie/research/ The group’s taxonomic focus is on insects, particularly bees. It draws heavily on molecular genetics, and research infrastructure is excellent. We seek a highly motivated individual with strong quantitative skills who can work independently to develop a research program in population genetics/genomics and contribute to teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels within general zoology. Note that German language skills are required for teaching, though the lab language is English.
Halle is a delightful, historic city of a quarter million people with a large, research-intensive university situated 260 km southwest of Berlin and 40 km from Leipzig. You will be a member of a supportive and dynamic group that interacts closely within and outside the university, including with the DFG-funded biodiversity center iDIV:
http://www.idiv-biodiversity.de/idiv-global/?lang=en which is a collaboration of the universities of Halle, Leipzig and Jena.
Applicants must hold a university doctoral degree in biology/population genetics/genomics or a related discipline. Familiarity with insect ecological techniques and data analysis is preferable. Applicants should have a proven track record in publishing high quality scientific papers. Experience in writing grant applications and past success in attracting research funding is of advantage. Knowledge of German is essential for teaching, though the working language of the group is English,. The position is fixed term, initially for 3 years, commencing 1 February 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter, with the possibility of extension for a further 3 years. The salary is at the German standard postdoctoral rate (TV-L 13, 100%). The University of Halle is an equal opportunity employer.
Further details of the position can be obtained from Robert Paxton (email below), to whom applications should be emailed as a single pdf file, to include (i) a letter of motivation, (ii) cv, (iii) list of publications, (iv) list of externally acquired funds, (v) a single page on research achievements and future plans, and (vi) contact details of three referees, by 20 December 2019. Interviews are scheduled for mid-January 2020.
Prof. Robert Paxton
General Zoology/Institute of Biology
Uni. Halle, Hoher Weg 8
D-06120 Halle/Saale
Germany
Tel.: +49-345-5526500
Email:
robert.paxton@zoologie.uni-halle.de ———-
POSTDOC: COMPARATIVE GENOMICS OF 100 ANT SPECIES, COPENHAGEN
A three-year postdoc position is available at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen.
We are looking for a highly motivated researcher for a three-year postdoc position in comparative genomics. The position will be hosted in Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (
http://zhanggjlab.org) and will start from 1st May 2020. The deadline of the application is at 31st December 2019.
Project description
The Global Ant Genomics Consortium (
http://antgenomics.dk/) aims to sequence high quality reference genomes for ca. 200 ant species covering the major diversity of Formicidae family. We expect to finish the first 100 genomes by 1st May 2020 and will start organizing the first pilot comparative genomics analyses. All the genomes have been assembled with PacBio long reads and HiC sequencing, thus will be in near chromosome level. This project will perform the comparative genomics analyses with the first 100 ant genomes to reconstruct ant phylogeny and to reveal the genomic changes associated with the evolution of ant social structure, behavior, and lineage-specialized adaptation.
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Please read our announcement paper: J.J.Boomsma, S.á.G.Brady, R.R.Dunn, J.Gadau, J.Heinze, L.Keller, N.J.Sanders, L.Schrader, T.R.Schultz, L.Sundstöm, P.S.Ward, W.T.Wcislo, G.Zhang, The GAGA Consortium (2017). The Global Ant Genomics Alliance (GAGA). Myrmecological News 25, 61-66 The primary scientific goals of GAGA This global project on ant genomics will provide a comprehensive dataset of the genomic
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General job description
* Independently carry out the comparative genomics analyses
* Coordinate analyses together with other collaborators
* Limited participation in teaching and dissemination activities of the Centre
Required qualifications
* A PhD degree within computational biology, ecology and evolution, genomics
* or related fields
* Highly experienced on comparative genomics and transcriptomics
* A convincing publication track record
* An active interest in insects or ant evolution
* Fluent spoken and written English
* Excellent communication skill and ability to work in teams
* Have experience in working independently and coordinating with other teams
For further employment details, and to apply, please visit: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx/?cid=1307&departmentId=18965&ProjectId=150713
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A three-year postdoc position is available at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. We are looking for a highly motivated researcher for a three-
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Deadline for applications is 31 December 2019
Inquiries about the position can be made to Professor Guojie Zhang; email guojie.zhang@bio.ku.dk.
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2 PhD POSITIONS: SOCIAL INSECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, ABERDEEN
Two PhD positions to work on social insects are available in the Lab of Functional Genomics & Sociobiology at the University of Aberdeen, under the supervision of Dr Fabio Manfredini.
The first position deals with the « Origin and maintenance of plasticity in response to thermal stress in invasive and declining ants ». This is a 4 year PhD project, part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC DTP and in collaboration with Dr Lesley Lancaster (University of Aberdeen), Dr Jenni Stockan (The James Hutton Institute) and Dr Nathan Bailey (Univeristy of St Andrews). The deadline for application is Sunday, January 05, 2020.
The second project instead will investigate « The cost of being a fussy eater – Oligolectic pollinators and environmental change ». This is a 3.5 years project, part of a competition funded by QUADRAT NERC DTP and in collaboration with Dr Lorraine Scott (Queen’s Univeristy Belfast). The deadline for application is Friday, January 24, 2020.
You can find full details about the two projects and how to apply here: https://fmanfredini79.wixsite.com/manfredini/functional-genomics-sociobiology
Or you can contact Dr Fabio Manfredini directly if you have any question: Email fmanfredini79@gmail.com, Twitter @fmanfredini79
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GRADUATE POSITION:BEE GENOMICS, HULL
Ecosystem stability and global food security depend upon healthy populations of bees, our foremost pollinators. Bees provide pollination services worth hundreds of billions of pounds annually. Honeybees and bumblebees are our most important managed pollinators, but the UK is home to ~245 species of wild solitary bees which collectively perform most pollination.
Unfortunately, bee populations are declining, with multiple causes. Key to bee survival and fitness is nutrition; all bees feed offspring with pollen gathered from the landscape. But human influences such as agricultural intensification are altering nutritional landscapes for bees [3,4], and fundamentally affecting gene expression, growth and reproduction. Most of what we know about bee nutrition comes from studies in social bees like honeybees or bumblebees [5,6], where nutrition influences caste determination, development, pathogen resistance and others. However, the nutritional ecology of other bees, particularly solitary bees, is largely unstudied. Unless these bees can detect and respond to changes in nutritional landscapes, their fitness will be reduced « V a scenario we term a « nutritional trap ».
Human activity is also changing climates and raising average temperatures. Temperature affects animals’ metabolic rate, physiology, digestion, and nutrient assimilation, as well as gene expression. Dr Gilbert’s recent work [7] has identified the need to store enough carbohydrate and fat to survive the winter as potentially critical for solitary bees’ nutritional ecology. But we know little about how this is regulated, how climate change will affect bees, and how bees will deal with changing nutritional landscapes in a future filled with uncertainty.
We are now, for the first time, in a position to understand not just whether but also how different nutritional landscapes and climates affect bees. This exciting cross-institutional project combines field ecology with cutting edge molecular approaches to address a crucial knowledge gap about how bees are being affected by human-altered nutritional landscapes. This project addresses issues relevant for pure ecological science, conservation biology, agriculture and crop science. At Hull, Dr Gilbert »¦s lab has pioneered rearing protocols for the economically and ecologically important solitary bee, Osmia bicornis. This work is providing an unprecedented window onto bee nutritional ecology. At Leeds, Dr Duncan »¦s lab uses a variety of cutting-edge molecular tools to understand how bees are influenced by their environment. Dr Duncan has conducted groundbreaking work on how nutrition affects gene expression in developing bees, as well as recent work on the environmental and molecular control of reproduction in O. bicornis. The student will capitalise on this timely opportunity to synthesize the research interests of these two research groups and create collaborative links between institutions. The candidate will be integrated into both lab groups and will benefit from the infrastructure and connections at both universities.
Differences in larval nutrition in the honeybee results in gene expression changes and ultimately adult bees with different reproductive potential and lifespan. Using careful manipulations within controlled laboratory environments, the student will first establish how dietary macronutrients affect the fitness of solitary bee larvae in response to changes in rearing temperature. Then, they will use high-throughput sequencing technology to examine genome-wide expression profiles of larvae receiving different diet and temperature treatments, to understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying bees »¦ responses to landscape and climate change. Nutritional cues are known to alter gene expression [8], but to date studies have focussed largely on a few genes, and only in honeybees. The student will compare larvae receiving different treatments in (1) choices larvae make about which nutrients to consume, (2) correlates of fitness such as body size and overwinter survival, and (3) expression of growth- versus diapause-related genes. Outcomes: The findings will, firstly, shed light on the optimal nutrition for bees « V both currently, and in a warmer future. They will help inform active measures such as wildflower strips to conserve and promote these vital pollinators as the climate changes. Secondly, results will also show the physiological effects of different nutritional landscapes upon bees, now and in the future, allowing us a detailed understanding of the resilience of solitary bees to landscape change in a changing climate. Finally, the results will provide comparisons and contrasts with existing knowledge of social bee gene expression, physiology and nutrigenomics, providing unparalleled insights into bee nutritional ecology.
References:
1. Coley P, et al. Oecologia. 2002;133: 62″V69.
2. Rothman JM, et al. Ecology. 2015;96: 873″V878.
3. Naug D. Biol Conserv. 2009;142: 2369″V2372.
4. Donkersley P, et al. Ecol Evol. 2014;4: 4195″V4206.
5. Paoli PP, et al. Amino Acids. 2014;46: 1449″V1458.
6. Helm BR, et al. Biol Open. 2017;6: 872″V880.
7. Austin AJ, Gilbert JDJ. bioRxiv. 2018; https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/397802v1.abstract
8. Di Pasquale G, et al. PLoS One. 2013;8: e72016.
For details please contact Dr James Gilbert (james.gilbert@hull.ac.uk).
To apply, and for more details:
https://panorama-dtp.ac.uk/research/nutrigenomics-and-the-resilience-of-bees-in-a-changing-climate/
Deadline: 6 Jan 2020
Eligibility: UK and EU students only
Funding: UK (NERC, Competition-funded)
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2 PhD STUDENTSHIPS: THE ECOLOGY OF BEES ON A CHANGING PLANET, IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
1. CONTEXT DEPENDENCE OF DISEASE SPREAD AND VIRULENCE IN A POLLINATOR SYSTEM
Supervisors: Peter Graystock, Sophie Evison & Richard Gill (secured funding)
Deadline 13 January 2020
In host-parasite coevolution, the Red Queen hypothesis states that the contest between host and parasite drives continuous adaptation to counter the ever-evolving opposition. Understanding this dynamic is made more complex when external forces intervene to change the environment, particularly anthropogenic activities and the rates at which they occur. The Melissococcus plutonius bacteria is known to be common in honey bees, often without influencing host health. However, unknown triggers can cause this bacteria to express a harmful and often deadly disease known as European foul brood (EFB). This globally distributed disease causes significant damage to the beekeeping industry, and in the UK, EFB is one of only two microbial bee diseases considered so harmful that positive detection requires immediate notification to the authorities. Yet despite the impact of this disease, we currently have little understanding as to what stressors influence the severity and spread of this disease, and if human practices such as land-use change or pesticide application could be influencing the delicate host-parasite interaction.
The student will explore the mechanism behind transmission of the causal bacteria of the disease (Melissococcus plutonius), before determining if key stressors (Land and pesticide use) influence the severity of the disease. This directly-funded studentship will employ a suite of cutting-edge scientific techniques to address questions on what modulates the transmission and virulence of this disease. The project will add substantially to our understanding of the vulnerability of bees to this significantly destructive disease and the results will facilitate the formation of evidence-led disease management strategies. The student will gain a set of interdisciplinary skills including field work, next generation DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, pesticide residue analysis, microbiology and honeybee keeping. The student will gain training and collaboration from leading scientists including supervisor Dr Peter Graystock (Imperial College London), Dr Richard Gill (Imperial College London), and Dr Sophie Evison (University of Nottingham), plus assistance from the National Bee Unit/Defra.
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/the-context-dependence-of-disease-spread-and-virulence-in-a-pollinator-system/?p114278
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PhD Project – The context dependence of disease spread and virulence in a pollinator system at Imperial College London, listed on FindAPhD.com |
2. ARCTICBUZZ: STUDYING POPULATION DYNAMICS TO UNDERSTAND THE EVOLUTION OF PLANT-POLLINATOR NETWORKS UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE
Supervisors: Richard Gill, Jacob Johansson & Keith Larson (competitively funded)
Deadline 6 January 2020
To date our understanding of how insect pollinator declines are influenced by climate change remains limited. For instance, why have some species shown evidence of latitudinal range shifts in apparent response to climate change when others have not? To address this type of question requires us to understand the eco-evolutionary processes by which insect pollinator populations and their host plants are dynamically responding and how this translates to long term changes in the structure of plant-pollinator networks under climate change. Taking a population biology approach, this project will look to understand how bumblebee populations and host plant visitations have changed over the past 50 years for an Arctic bumblebee community in Lapland, Sweden. This will involve understanding how preceding climatic condition has affected population demography of each of 13 species of bumblebee. The study will reveal changes on population trait frequencies over space and time and how resource competition is determined through adaptations to temperature extremes to predict plant-pollinator network structure and the potential for species invasions. Looking at intra- and interannual population and community turnover of the bumblebees and their host plants we will look to inform predictive models under warming scenarios and identify early warning signs of climate change impacts. Furthermore, this project will reveal the spatio-temporal variation (non-static) in the bumblebee-plant visitation network to reveal how resistant and resilient the mutualistic interaction network is to climate change.
The project takes advantage of a unique phenology transect established over a century ago allowing us to compare past data on bumblebee/plant community composition and phenology with contemporary data spanning the major warming over the last five decades. The transect runs along an altitudinal gradient on Mount Nuolja, Abisko, providing a thermal cline with the study taking a space-for-time substitution approach. The student will become experienced in using a number of interdisciplinary techniques, including a variety of fieldwork skills, bee and plant taxonomic identification, molecular methods in DNA barcoding and population genetics, studying bee thermal profiling, managing and analysing big data, skills in ecological network construction, statistics and developing mathematical models to understand extinction vulnerability. The project will involve a significant amount of fieldwork in the Arctic and will require the candidate to be relatively physically fit. This interdisciplinary project will also benefit from co-supervision & collaboration from a number of world-leading scientists, including: Jacob Johansson (Imperial College and Lund University, Sweden); Keith Larson (Umea University, Sweden); Jason Tylianakis (Canterbury University, NZ), Andrew MacDougal (University of Guelph, Canada); Emily Baird (Stockholm University (Sweden).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Js8pH_9LCJz6pUCkrz97fpSquk73JmKs/view
Where will the PhDs be based?
The students will based at the Silwood Park campus of Imperial College and hosted by the Gill lab that is well equipped to study bee evolution and ecology. The student will be surrounded by world leading researchers in the disciplines of ecology, evolution and conservation. Facilities include >100 hectares of field site, new controlled environment rooms, microbiology facility, labs tailored for bee research and spacious workspace.
How to apply
Please send your CV, a one page cover letter explaining why you are suitable for the project, and the names and e-mail addresses of two referees to Dr Peter Graystock p.graystock@imperial.ac.uk by 13th January 2020 for honeybee EFB studentship or Dr Richard Gill r.gill@imperial.ac.uk by 6th January 2020 for ArcticBuzz studentship. Informal enquiries for either are welcomed.
Student eligibility
Honeybee EFB studentship has secured funding by the CB Dennis British Beekeepers Research Trust and Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd. Applicants should have, or be about to obtain, a Masters qualification and have a 2.1 or higher undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Microbiology or similar. Exceptional students at Bachelors level without a Masters will also be considered. Open to UK and EU citizens or applicants with Settled status in the UK. The project will start in September 2020.
ArcticBuzz studentship is competitively funded by NERC. Applicants should have, or be about to obtain, a Masters qualification and have a 2.1 or higher undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Evolution or similar. To be eligible for a full award they must have either British Citizenship, or Settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long they can stay, or been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the studentship – (For non-EU citizens, this must not have been in full time education.). This does not apply to UK nationals.
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PhD: HARD-WIRED FOR SUCCESS? UNRAVELLING GENOMIC SIGNATURES IN POLLINATORS, PLYMOUTH AND THE EARLHAM INSTITUTE, UK
Key information:
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the ARIES NERC Doctoral Training Partnership, and will involve attendance at mandatory training events throughout the course of the PhD. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a NERC studentship – UK and EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for 3 years are eligible for a full award. This studentship will start on 1st October 2020, and the closing date for applications is 12:00 on 7th January 2020. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 18/19 February 2020.
For further information, please contact Mairi Knight: mairi.knight@plymouth.ac.uk
Background:
Many pollinator species, recognised as essential for ecosystem function, are undergoing rapid declines. One recent exception is the ‘Tree Bumblebee’ Bombus hypnorum: expanding its range into and across the UK in <20 years, it is now one of our most common species.
Building on previous work from the supervisory team, and in collaboration with the Earlham Institute, this project will investigate key genomic differences between this and other bumblebee (Bombus) species to substantially improve our understanding of the factors contributing to its success, along with the declines of others. The project’s focus is a genomic comparison of Bombus species from within the UK and continental Europe. Initial work has identified genomic regions of interest in B. hypnorum that may be indicative of its ability to adapt to anthropogenically altered landscapes. However, current data are preliminary and lack essential phylogenetic comparison.
Methodology:
This is a timely and exciting opportunity to generate a highly novel, and substantial, genomic dataset to test hypotheses as to whether the observed genomic differences are unique to B. hypnorum, or shared among Bombus species (some evidence suggests elevated resilience in the wider Pyrobombus sub-genus). In addition to fulfilling the specific aims, the data generated will offer the student significant scope to guide the project’s further direction through characterisation of genomic signatures and differences across this important pollinator group.
Training
The project will equip the successful student with state-of-the-art genomic techniques as well as bioinformatic and modelling skills that are highly transferable and increasingly essential across a wide range of academic and applied biological disciplines. The student will also gain important soft skills (e.g. communication, team working, problem solving). He/she will be based in Plymouth, spending short periods at the other Institutions as relevant.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will have a biology-based degree, an academic interest in evolutionary ecology, and be enthusiastic about pursuing a laboratory- and computer-based project. Ideally, he/she will have some basic molecular ecology experience (e.g. DNA extraction, PCR) and interest in genetic and evolutionary analysis. Experience of genome sequencing and bioinformatics is not essential as full training will be provided.
Dr Mairi Knight
mairi.knight@plymouth.ac.uk
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
University of Plymouth
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
UK
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PhD: ANTS AS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS, YORK
PhD: Ants as ecosystem engineers: the interaction between niche construction and land management, University of York, UK
We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious student to develop a novel project that will use applied field experiments to quantify the relationship between meadow ants and management regimes, and how these together
affect biodiversity and soil function. The ideal candidate will enjoy interacting with academics and stakeholders from a range of backgrounds and want to apply their scientific training to an important applied question.
Ants act as effective geoengineers, increasing habitat heterogeneity and constructing niches. Yellow meadow ants, Lasius flavus, were historically common on pastures. These ants promote biodiversity, for example they
increase floral species richness because the ant mound soil differs from surrounding areas. Many modern farming practices reduce or eliminate their populations.
Belton House, a National Trust property including 650 hectares of historic (Grade 1 Registered) wood pasture parkland, which is a UK priority habitat, has areas hosting an unusually high density of meadow ants, but also other areas where they are entirely absent. Previous management of the site has resulted in some areas suffering from over-grazing and soil compaction. The study site is undergoing a period of management change, to a more biodiversity-friendly approach of mixed and lighter grazing. Despite the known importance of ants within the soil ecosystems, very little is known about how the ecosystem impacts of meadow ants are mediated, and how these impacts interact with past and present pasture management practices. The collaboration with CASE partner The National Trust provides the opportunity to carry out controlled experiments, altering management to assess impact on ant populations, and altering ant populations to assess impact on ecosystem composition and function.
This project will be supervised by Elva Robinson (ant behavioural ecologist, University of York), Kelly Redeker (soil biogeochemist, University of York) and Carl Hawke (Nature Conservation Advisor, The National Trust). This is a NERC ACCE DTP studentship. Eligibility: UK/EU applicants only.
Closing date for applications: 8 January 2020
More information:
https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/postgraduate/research/funding/funded-studentships/
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Funded PhD Studentships for immediate application in Biology at York
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https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/postgraduate/nercdtp
Contact: elva.robinson@york.ac.uk
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GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, HOUSTON
The Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston (UH) welcomes applications for its graduate program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology for Fall 2020. The following faculty in the areas of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology have opportunities available for their labs:
Alex Stewart (astewar6@central.uh.edu): Mathematical biology
Blaine Cole (bcole@uh.edu): Evolution and social behavior
Dan Graur (dgraur@uh.edu): Molecular evolutionary bioinformatics
Diane Wiernasz (dwiernasz@uh.edu): Sexual selection
Erin Kelleher (eskelleher@uh.edu): Evolutionary genetics and genomics
Kerri Crawford (kmcrawford3@uh.edu): Community ecology
Rebecca Zufall (rzufall@uh.edu): Evolutionary genetics
Ricardo Azevedo (razevedo@uh.edu): Evolutionary genetics
Rich Meisel (rpmeisel@uh.edu): Evolutionary genetics and genomics
Steve Pennings (spennings@uh.edu): Community ecology
Tony Frankino (frankino@uh.edu): Evolution of complex traits
If you are interested, you should look at the relevant faculty members’ web sites and then contact them directly for more information:
http://www.uh.edu/nsm/biology-biochemistry/people/faculty/faculty-alpha/
For more information regarding the Evolutionary Biology and Ecology graduate program at UH see:
http://www.bchs.uh.edu/graduate/prospective-students/
http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/prospective-students/how-to-apply/
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Applying to your graduate program is the first step to admission. Learn how to apply to top-ranked programs at The University of Houston Graduate School.
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If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact: Ms. Rosezelia Jackson (biograd@central.uh.edu)
The early deadline for application of prospective students is February 1st, 2020. Evaluation will continue after that date, but students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
