Two PhD projects - commencing 2016
(typically February)
Luke Holman lab, School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne.
I am seeking one or two PhD students to join ongoing projects involving
evolution, sex and sociality in insects, which are funded by the Australian
Research Council and the University of Melbourne. I am particularly keen to
recruit students interested in working with next generation sequencing data
(both projects) or large-scale insect experiments (project 1).
Project 1: Genetics of sexual conflict in beetles
Sexual selection research commonly talks about good genes, but just who are
these genes good for? There is evidence that alleles that produce a
high-fitness female do not necessarily make a high-fitness female, and vice
versa. This is termed intralocus sexual conflict, and it has far-reaching
evolutionary consequences. Using experimental evolution experiments coupled
with next-generation sequencing in Tribolium flour beetles, we will work out
which traits are under strong intralocus conflict, which ecological and
evolutionary factors determine the strength of the conflict, and which genes
are contested territory in the battle of the sexes.
Project 2: DNA methylation in social insects
If the genome is like a printed instruction book for building an organism, DNA
methylation is like pencil notes in the margins that allow for reversible
modifications to the design. Social insects (bees, ants, wasps, termites) have
two castes queens and workers and recent evidence suggests that caste (and other,
more subtle differences, e.g. between different types of workers) is under the
control of DNA methylation. Using experiments with ant and bee colonies as well
as whole genome bisulphite sequencing, we will build on exciting new results
from my lab, and study the interplay between pheromones and DNA methylation.
Requirements
Successful applicants will be assisted in applying for an Australian
Postgraduate Award (for Australians) or an International Postgraduate Research
Scholarship (for Internationals) through the University of Melbourne. To be
competitive, a First-class Honours or Masters Degree (or international
equivalent) or publication in international journals are essential. The APA and
IPRS applications are short, but the deadline is soon: 31st October 2015. Thus,
please send applications by 19th October or earlier.
To apply, please send A) A brief letter outlining your research interests; B)
an academic CV; C) your academic transcript/grades; D) contact details of two
referees (including a previous research supervisor).
For further information, and to submit applications, please contact Luke Holman
directly.
Luke Holman
E-mail: luke.holman@anu.edu.au
Tel: +61 2 612 53611