E v o l D i r

December 1, 2012 EvolDir 125
UBristishColumbia Biodiversity
Postdoctoral Fellows Fellowship Opportunity The next
application deadline is January 14, 2013. As a part
of our NSERC CREATE training program in biodiversity
research, we seek applicants for a 2-year postdoctoral
fellowship in the U.B.C. Biodiversity Research
Centre (www.biodiversity.ubc.ca). The Centre is made
up of over 50 faculty members with interests in ecology,
evolution, systematics, biodiversity and conservation.
Preference will be given to candidates with bold
ideas, demonstrated research ability, and strong communication
skills. The successful candidate will be expected
to conduct original research on core problems in
biodiversity, foster interactions within the Centre, run
a seminar series, and organize a retreat. Postdoctoral
fellows funded by the Biodiversity Research Centre typically
interact with several lab groups. Candidates are
welcome to contact potential collaborating labs in the
Centre to inquire about current and potential research
activities, but it is not necessary to apply to work with
a specific faculty member.
Starting date, 1 September 2013. Salary $43,000 per yr.
Research stipend: $7,000 per yr. Send curriculum vitae,
three letters of reference, and a statement of overall
scientific goals and interests (approximately 2 pages) to
the address below. Applications and Reference letters
will be accepted electronically; reference letters must
be sent directly by the referee. Search Chair, Biodiversity
Research Centre, U.B.C., 6270 University Blvd.,
Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4. (Fax 604-822-2416,
e-mail biodiversity.centre@ubc.ca). Closing date for application,
14 January 2013.
The University of British Columbia hires on the basis
of merit and is committed to employment equity. We
encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
Penelope (Lebby) Balakshin Administrator Biodiversity
Research Centre Tel: 604-822-0862 Cell: 604-802-
6330
Lebby Balakshin
UCollegeLondon TheoEvolution
Research Fellowship in Early Eukaryotic Evolution
2020 Science Programme University College London
A 24-month (with possible extension) Early Career
postdoctoral research fellowship is available to work
with Professor Andrew Pomiankowski and Dr Nick
Lane in CoMPLEX (Centre for Mathematics and
Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology)
and the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment,
University College London.
This project will explore events leading from the origins
of living systems through to the emergence of complex
eukaryotic life using mathematical and computational
modelling. The project will be co-supervised by Professor
Andrew Pomiankowski and Dr Nick Lane. Potential
topics include: possible origins of natural selection
on genetically encoded metabolism in primordial environments;
the coevolution of parasitic replicators - the
ancestors of viruses - alongside true cells; the costs and
benefits of multicellularity related to different modes of
feeding (phagocytosis vs. osmotrophy) in which there
is scope for cooperation and cheating over ’common
goods’; the evolution of mating types and true sexes
in multicellular organisms coincident with the development
of germ/soma differentiation; the transfer of mitochondrial
genes to the eukaryotic nucleus and consequent
loss of mitochondrial genes due to sexual conflict
over gene expression.
The 2020 Science programme is a joint collaboration between
UCL, Oxford University and Microsoft Research
Cambridge, now into its second year. It is focused on
producing a new generation of highly computational
natural scientists and tool builders able to apply novel
approaches to tackle fundamental problems in natural
science. The programme is funded by the EPSRC in
association with Microsoft Research.
Suitable candidates will be highly motivated researchers
with a PhD in a relevant area of science,
such as: mathematical or computational biology, computational
neuroscience, computer science or biology.
Research experience of mathematical or computational
modelling of complex natural systems is essential, as
well as the ability to conduct and complete research
projects, as witnessed by published peer-reviewed work.
The post-holders are expected to be exceptional earlystage
scientists who will apply for further research fellowship
funding during the period of the award. Applicants
will be expected to demonstrate experience in the
modelling and analysis of complex natural systems appropriate
to the individual projects (e.g. evolutionary
genetic analyses, chemical kinetics, systems biology).
Experience of analysing and incorporating experimental
data into computational models, and proficiency in