E v o l D i r

December 1, 2012 EvolDir 133
in the Molecular Ecology Research Group< http://www.slu.se/wfe/merg
> (SLU Ume˚a). Additional support
will be provided by the Computational Genetics
Group< http://www.computationalgenetics.se >
(SLU Uppsala). Ongoing research at the department
uses genetic techniques to address a wide range
of questions in conservation, ecology and evolution.
Together with Scilife< http://www.scilifelab.se > in
Stockholm/Uppsala we are currently expanding our capacity
for genetic analyses of our most important model
species (e.g. moose, salmon, trout, lion, brown bear) by
high throughput sequencing, genotyping-by-sequencing
and SNP chip development. The successful candidate is
expected to fully engage in this work, which could include
individual research, programming, primary and
coauthoring proposals and papers. The acquisition of
additional third-party funding may allow independent
expansion of the model systems or research questions
addressed.
Review of the applications will begin on January 3, 2013
and continue until the position is filled. Please submit
curriculum vitae, a description of research interests and
two letters of reference via email to registrator@slu.se.
For further information please contact: Ass. Prof.
Göran Spong (goran.spong@slu.se) or Prof. Örjan
Carlborg (orjan.carlborg@slu.se).
Göran Spong Associate Professor|Molecular Ecology
Research Group < http://www.slu.se/wfe/merg > |
Wildlife, Fish, & Environmental Studies | SLU | 90183
Ume˚a | Sweden
Göran Spong
UppsalaU 2
FlycatcherSpeciationGenomics
Flycatcher speciation genomics
2 postdoc positions at the Evolutionary Biology Centre,
Uppsala University in the group of Prof Hans Ellegren
(see end of message for web page)
Each position is for two years with the possibility of
extension for two more years
Advances in large-scale genomics open new opportunities
in speciation research. It allows us to address questions
such as the genes underlying the process of speciation,
the character of genomic divergence during speciation,
and speciation-with-gene-flow. Flycatchers of
the genus Ficedula offer an excellent model system for
studies of these and related questions (see e.g. Nature
387:589-592, 411:45-50, Science 318:95-97). We have recently
sequenced and de novo assembled the flycatcher
genome (at 85x coverage and with a scaffold N50 of 7.3
Mb) and performed genome-wide re-sequencing of multiple
individuals (each at 5x coverage) of the two closely
related species, collared flycatcher and pied flycatcher
(Nature, in press; doi:10.1038/nature11584). By this
we have identified a number of ’divergence islands’,
many of which are associated with centromeres and
telomeres, potentially indicating a role for meiotic drive
in species divergence. We are now seeking new postdocs
to join t his long-term project in which coming research
will use data from whole-genome re-sequencing of multiple
populations (sympatric as well as allopatric) and
species, from a 50K SNP array (genotyping in pedigrees
and population samples) and from the flycatcher
transcriptome and methylome. Genomic parameters
that will be analyzed include, for example, recombination
rates, linkage disequilibrium, expression divergence,
and epigenetic modification. Successful candidates
will have the possibility to choose among several
possible directions of research, in dialogue with the
host.
The venue for these positions, the Evolutionary Biology
Centre, is situated in recently-built localities in central
Uppsala. The working atmosphere is international
with a regular recruitment of PhD students and postdocs
from abroad. The Centre constitutes an exciting
arena for multidisciplinary research in evolutionary biology
in a broad sense, housing some 300 scientists and
graduate students, and with research programs in, for
example, ecology, genetics, genomics and developmental
biology. The scientific environment with numerous
seminars, journal clubs and social activities offer excellent
possibilities for contacts and collaborations. A
graduate school in ’The Genomics of Phenotypic Diversity
in Natural Populations’ (http://www.ebc.uu.se/education/postgrad/gradschool/)
provides a framework
for courses and other activities for PhD students.
Local platforms for next-generation sequencing (http:/-
/www.scilifelab.uu.se) and high-performance computational
analyses (http://ww w.uppmax.uu.se) ensure
immediate access to state-of-the-art technology. Uppsala
University is the oldest university in Scandinavia
and the city of Uppsala is a vibrant student town with
beautiful and easy accessible surroundings conveniently
situated close to Stockholm.
The positions, which are funded by a European Research
Council Advanced Investigator Grant, are affiliated
with the Department of Evolutionary Biology - an
overview of the research activities in the environment