E v o l D i r

December 1, 2012 EvolDir 41
SRC project studying and modelling the population dynamics
and behaviour of bumblebee communities. Local
populations will be comprehensively sampled, allowing
you to study how pathogens are transmitted
between bumblebee colonies and species and how this
may impact on population-wide fitness. By studying sequence
evolution in rapidly evolving viral diseases, you
will be able to apply powerful genomic modeling approaches
developed for emerging diseases, such as HIV,
to infer transmission pathways. These can be used to
identify potential transmission hotspots, such as particular
host species, food plants or landscape features.
These field results can then be experimentally tested
using lab or field experiments. The work will have
practical relevance for understanding and managing the
health of vital pollinator populations.
The project will be co-supervised by Dr. Lena Wilfert
and Dr. Juliet Osborne, with field work being carried
out in collaboration with Dr. Alison Haughton
(Rothamsted) and Prof. Dave Goulson (University of
Stirling/University of Sussex). The student will also be
closely involved with the disease group at University of
Exeter in Cornwall, including Prof. Mike Boots, Prof.
Angus Buckling and Dr. Britt Koskella. It will combine
fieldwork in the UK with molecular infection assays in
the lab. The work will heavily rely on molecular techniques,
such as quantitative PCR and sequencing, for
quantifying infections and for studying viral sequence
evolution. The student will be trained in these methods.
Ideally, the candidate has a strong interest in genetics
and bioinformatics. Please contact Dr. Lena
Wilfert (lena.wilfert@ed.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.
Funding Notes:
Applicants for these studentships must have obtained,
or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class
UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications
gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science
or technology. In addition, due to the strong mathematical
component of the taught course in the first year, a
minimum of B in A- level Maths or an equivalent qualification
or experience is required.
For students who meet the residency requirements outlined
by the BBSRC (see http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Guidelines/studentship
eligibility.pdf) the
studentship will provide a stipend at the standard Research
Council rate plus fees and project costs.
v1lbwilf@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
UGlasgow Biodiversity
AdaptationGenomics
NERC-funded PhD Studentship in Adaptation Genomics
at the University of Glasgow
“How the salamander got his spots: the genetics of
colour, shape, and local adaptation in European salamanders”
Supervisory team: Kathryn Elmer & Barbara Mable
(Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative
Medicine)
Research project: Adaptive and stochastic forces are
at play in the evolution of the great diversity of size,
shape and colour phenotypes we see in nature. While
it has long been difficult to distinguish the relative
roles of these different forces in evolution, recent advances
make it possible to test hypotheses in an environmental
context. Through an integrative analysis of
body shape, colour and patterning, and genomics on
wild populations of salamanders (genus Salamandra),
this studentship will examine the role of local adaptation
and the evolution of colouration. More details
on the project at http://www.findaphd.com/search/-
ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=41359&LID=559 The successful
student will join an active and dynamic research
group in Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Analysis,
where we are applying cutting-edge genomic techniques
and modern phenotyping methods to study biodiversity
in nature. The project will involve field work, research
on museum collections of amphibians, and genome-wide
analyses with next-generation sequencing. Information
on the Research Institute and the supervisors can
be found at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/
Funding Details: NERC standard stipend
(£13,590 pa + full fees) for 3 years (+6 months possible
under some circumstances)
Who is eligible? The candidate must have been resident
in the UK throughout the 3-year period preceding
the date of application for an award, not wholly
or mainly for the purposes of full time education (see
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/site/guides/students.asp)
How to apply? Please provide a full CV + contact details
of at least 2 referees, along with a cover letter indicating
motives and qualifications for undertaking the
proposed program. Please send applications as a single
PDF to lorna.kennedy@glasgow.ac.uk by 1 December 1