Biodiversity Research Centre – Earth and Life Institute Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium
Postdoc on the evolution of dispersal and life history traits in relation to phenotypic plasticity
A two-year postdoctoral position is available at the Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL) in Belgium (http://www.uclouvain.be/en-bdiv.html). Focus will be on the evolution of life styles by means of artificial selection performed in lab-controlled environments. The framework of this position is a collaborative 5-year project by a highly active and integrated set of three collaborating research teams, including faculty (Profs. Hans Van Dyck, Nicolas Schtickzelle and Caroline Nieberding), other postdocs and PhD students. The project aims for a better understanding of the role and mechanisms of plasticity for present and future adaptation and survival in changing environments in a series of model organisms (Pararge aegeria & Bicyclus anynana butterflies, Tetranychus urticae mite, and unicellular eukaryotic ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila).
According to the model organism, life styles that can be studied involve suits of interrelated plastic traits related to dispersal, sexual selection, kin selection… The work will use GxE experiments to quantify the slope and range of variation of plasticity, and will study the functional significance of plasticity in terms of adaptation and adaptability through a set of experimental evolution experiments. Of particular interest are: (1) the evolution of dispersal, sociality and demographic traits in Tetrahymena thermophila; (2) the evolution of dispersal in Tetranychus urticae; and (3) the relative role of female preference versus male display in the evolution of sexually selected traits (sex pheromone) in Bicyclus anynana. In addition to these lines, the successful applicant will also have the opportunity to develop additional questions related to the main research program, and to participate in more conceptual and review works.
We are looking for a strongly motivated candidate with a PhD in the field of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology with successful experience in one or several of these aspects: experimental evolution, quantitative genetics, life history trade-offs analysis, design and implementation of large scale lab experiments, statistics. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential. Salary ranges between 2000-2200 euros netto per month plus benefits (health insurance,…) which are included in the Belgian system. The successful applicant must not have stayed in Belgium more than 24 months out of the last three years. For practical information concerning salaries, benefits, insurances and conditions of eligibility please contact Mrs. D. Socquet at UCL (dominique.socquet@uclouvain.be; +32 (0) 10 47 2720). Applications will be reviewed directly until position is filled. Anticipated start date is January- March 2011 (to be negotiated). Our University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and is in a French-speaking region, but the language for meetings and scientific interactions
is English. For background information about our university, see
http://www.uclouvain.be/en-index.html
Application should be sent to
Hans Van Dyck (hans.vandyck@uclouvain.be),
Nicolas Schtickzelle (nicolas.schtickzelle@uclouvain.be) and
Caroline Nieberding (caroline.nieberding@uclouvain.be) and
include the following:
(1) a cover letter describing your research interests and qualifications,
(2) a full CV, (3) contact information (email, phone number) of minimum 2
referees, and (4) pdfs of up to three representative publications. Please include « postdoctoral application » in the subject line of the e-mail. Informal inquiries are welcome.
Postdoc on the evolution of dispersal and life history traits in relation to phenotypic plasticity
A two-year postdoctoral position is available at the Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL) in Belgium (http://www.uclouvain.be/en-bdiv.html). Focus will be on the evolution of life styles by means of artificial selection performed in lab-controlled environments. The framework of this position is a collaborative 5-year project by a highly active and integrated set of three collaborating research teams, including faculty (Profs. Hans Van Dyck, Nicolas Schtickzelle and Caroline Nieberding), other postdocs and PhD students. The project aims for a better understanding of the role and mechanisms of plasticity for present and future adaptation and survival in changing environments in a series of model organisms (Pararge aegeria & Bicyclus anynana butterflies, Tetranychus urticae mite, and unicellular eukaryotic ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila).
According to the model organism, life styles that can be studied involve suits of interrelated plastic traits related to dispersal, sexual selection, kin selection… The work will use GxE experiments to quantify the slope and range of variation of plasticity, and will study the functional significance of plasticity in terms of adaptation and adaptability through a set of experimental evolution experiments. Of particular interest are: (1) the evolution of dispersal, sociality and demographic traits in Tetrahymena thermophila; (2) the evolution of dispersal in Tetranychus urticae; and (3) the relative role of female preference versus male display in the evolution of sexually selected traits (sex pheromone) in Bicyclus anynana. In addition to these lines, the successful applicant will also have the opportunity to develop additional questions related to the main research program, and to participate in more conceptual and review works.
We are looking for a strongly motivated candidate with a PhD in the field of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology with successful experience in one or several of these aspects: experimental evolution, quantitative genetics, life history trade-offs analysis, design and implementation of large scale lab experiments, statistics. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential. Salary ranges between 2000-2200 euros netto per month plus benefits (health insurance,…) which are included in the Belgian system. The successful applicant must not have stayed in Belgium more than 24 months out of the last three years. For practical information concerning salaries, benefits, insurances and conditions of eligibility please contact Mrs. D. Socquet at UCL (dominique.socquet@uclouvain.be; +32 (0) 10 47 2720). Applications will be reviewed directly until position is filled. Anticipated start date is January- March 2011 (to be negotiated). Our University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and is in a French-speaking region, but the language for meetings and scientific interactions
is English. For background information about our university, see
http://www.uclouvain.be/en-index.html
Application should be sent to
Hans Van Dyck (hans.vandyck@uclouvain.be),
Nicolas Schtickzelle (nicolas.schtickzelle@uclouvain.be) and
Caroline Nieberding (caroline.nieberding@uclouvain.be) and
include the following:
(1) a cover letter describing your research interests and qualifications,
(2) a full CV, (3) contact information (email, phone number) of minimum 2
referees, and (4) pdfs of up to three representative publications. Please include « postdoctoral application » in the subject line of the e-mail. Informal inquiries are welcome.