1 PhD position on genomic adaptations under recent habitat changes in Germany | International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology

The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology is jointly organized by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in See­wiesen and Radolfzell and the University of Konstanz. More than 25 internationally recognized research groups actively participate in the PhD program and offer challenging, cutting-edge PhD projects in the fields of Beha­vioral Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Physiology and Neuro­biology.

All students accepted to the program will be supported by stipends or contracts. The program offers a dedicated teaching program, high quality research experience, and outstanding research facilities in an inspiring research and living environment. The working language is English. Each PhD student receives individual supervision and mentoring and is guided in her/his research work by a PhD advisory committee.

Interviews with the applicants are scheduled for Mid-March. Candidates accepted into the program may start latest September 2014. The Max Planck Society and the University of Konstanz are equal opportunity employers.

Qualification: Applicants should hold a MSc or equivalent degree in biology or a related discipline at the point of enrollment.

For the online application process visit here.

Project description: Recent human-mediated introductions of non-native populations and habitat changes in native populations represent an ideal situation in which to study adaptation to novel environments in the wild. It is suggested that responses of behaviour, which mediates how animals interact with their novel environment, are among the first to be observed. We aim to use genome-wide data from high-throughput sequencing on contrasting samples between original and new populations as well as temporal samples of newly colonised populations to dissect potential selection and demographic processes during the adaptation to novel environments. Subsequently, associations between specific genomic loci and hypothesized behavioural traits are tested within populations. Long-term study systems of avian urban colonizations and European invasions are available. The project involves molecular genetic work and analyses of genomic sequencing data.

Further Information

Application Deadline : 15 January 2014