<div dir="ltr"><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr">Dear all,<br>
If you know of anybody that could be interested in the below position<br>
please forward it to them.<br>
<br>
Best wishes<br>
Krzysztof<br>
<br>
Ph.D. opportunity in plant evolutionary biology<br>
<br>
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland<br>
<br>
<br>
The Chair of Ecology and Environment Protection<br>
(<a href="http://www.keib.umk.pl/?lang=en" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.keib.umk.pl/?lang=<wbr>en</a>) is recruiting PhD student interested<br>
in studying evolution of morphological traits in plants at various<br>
time scales. The goal of this project is to contribute towards an<br>
understanding of how genetic architecture (the structure of genotype<br>
to phenotype mapping) affects the evolution of quantitative traits.<br>
According to quantitative genetics theory, the evolution of phenotypic<br>
traits depends on the strength of selection and the amount of genetic<br>
variation. However, part of this variation maybe constrained by<br>
correlations with other traits that are under conflicting selective<br>
regimes. In consequence, the ability to respond to selection<br>
(evolvability) may be limited, even if a trait has high heritability.<br>
However, the extent to which genetic architecture limits phenotypic<br>
evolution remains an open question. Likewise, it is unknown whether it<br>
affects evolution at the short time scale and is easily overcome by<br>
selection, or if the genetic architecture is an important long-term<br>
determinant of the direction of evolution. In this project we aim to<br>
answer these questions using two plant species from the family<br>
Apiaceae, Daucus carota and Ferula communis, as a model system.<br>
<br>
This project will be carried out in collaboration with Prof. Thomas<br>
Hansen (University of Oslo) and dr Krzysztof Bartoszek (Uppsala<br>
University).<br>
<br>
<br>
Major tasks:<br>
<br>
phylogenetic analysis of various taxa from the family Apiaceae based<br>
on RADseq data<br>
<br>
establish a database of phenotypic traits (seedlings, fruits,<br>
inflorescences and flowers), life history strategies and geographic<br>
distributions for species from the family Apiaceae<br>
<br>
estimate the rate of morphological trait evolution using phylogenetic<br>
comparative methods<br>
<br>
help in developing the R package mvSLOUCH dedicated to analysis of<br>
multivariate Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models on phylogeny<br>
<br>
<br>
The ideal candidate will have a background in molecular<br>
biology/population genetics/phylogenetics, as well as experience<br>
working with Linux and modern programming languages such as R.<br>
Previous experience in generating and analysis of next-generation<br>
sequencing data will be considered positively. A condition of the<br>
application is a Master<br>
<br>
degree (or equivalent) in biology or similar subjects.<br>
<br>
<br>
The stipend for both positions is 3 000 PLN net monthly (app. 700<br>
EURO) for three years. The living cost in Torun is low. For example, a<br>
room in a student house (inc. Wi-Fi, kitchen, heating, hot water) is<br>
app. 100-150 EURO monthly, loaf of bread 0.5 EURO, beer 0.5-0.7 EURO,<br>
beer in pub 1-2 EURO, dinner in restaurant 5-8 EURO.<br>
<br>
<br>
Nicolaus Copernicus University is located close to the medieval center<br>
of Torun (<a href="http://www.visittorun.pl/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.visittorun.pl/</a>) which is listed among UNESCO<br>
World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites. Torun is a dynamic academic<br>
city and provides many opportunities for intellectual and cultural<br>
stimulation. The Vistula river runs through town and is ideal for the<br>
naturalists as many natural protected areas are located in its valley.<br>
<br>
<br>
If you are interested, please send a CV, a short statement of your<br>
research interests (max. one page) and the contact details of at least<br>
one academic referee to Marcin Piwczynski (<a href="mailto:piwczyn@umk.pl" target="_blank">piwczyn@umk.pl</a>). Feel free<br>
to contact him by email for further information. Review of applicants<br>
will start in the first week of August 2017. The positions will stay<br>
open until filled.<br>
<br>
<br>
Marcin Piwczynski<br>
<br>
Chair of Ecology and Biogeography,<br>
Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection,<br>
Nicolaus Copernicus University<br>
Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun<br>
POLAND<div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote"><br>
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