Category Archives: Uncategorized

Course on research data management from the Sheffield Bioinformatics Core – 30th April:

• How much data would you lose if your laptop was stolen?
• Have you ever emailed your colleague a file named ‘final_final_versionEDITED’?
• Have you ever struggled to import your spreadsheets into R?

As a researcher, you will encounter research data in many forms, ranging from measurements, numbers and images to documents and publications. Whether you create, receive or collect data, you will certainly need to organise it at some stage of your project. This workshop will provide an overview of some basic principles on how we can work with data more effectively. We will discuss the best practices for research data management and organisation so that our research is auditable and reproducible by ourselves, and others, in the future.

Please use this link to sign-up for the course

https://onlineshop.shef.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/faculty-of-medicine-dentistry-and-health/neuroscience/best-practices-in-research-data-management-for-biological-science

Intro to Unix course from the Sheffield Bioinformatics Core – 21st May:

Beginners course on the using command line interfaces to perform Bioinformatics Analysis

This course offers an introduction to working with Linux. We will describe the Linux environment so that participants can start to utilize command-line tools and feel comfortable using a text-based way of interacting with a computer. We will take a problem-solving approach, drawing on types of tasks commonly encountered by Linux users when processing text files.

To sign up:

https://onlineshop.shef.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/faculty-of-medicine-dentistry-and-health/neuroscience/introduction-to-unix-for-bioinformatics

The Centro de Biotecnologia y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA) is seeking for outstanding candidates for 16 postdoctoral researcher positions in the three CBGP Transversal Scientific Programs (Plant Adaptation to Environmental Changes, Improving Plant Response to Biotic Stress, and Empowering Plant Nutrition) and in the Computational, Systems Biology, and Genomics Program (CSBGP). The CBGP (UPM-INIA) is a research institute recently recognized as Severo Ochoa (SO) Center of Excellence.

More info here

The AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group (Wright Lab) at Linköping University, Sweden, is looking for two new recruitments – a motivated technician and post-doc as part of a newly acquired ERC consolidator grant. The project is aimed at studying the genomics of feralisation, using Hawaiian and Bermudan chickens as a model.

In the case of the technician the individual should have extensive experience of working with chickens, collecting physiological and behavioural samples and phenotypes, and dissection. In addition, the post will involve multiple field seasons in Hawaii and Bermuda, so field experience is also valuable. Laboratory skills, including DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR and the like are also required.

In the case of the post doc we are looking for a candidate with a strong background in quantitative genetics and bioinformatics. The project will involve a large amount of WGS data (including RNAseq and methseq data). The project will require selective sweep mapping, population genomics analysis of admixture as well as GWAS analysis (expression and standard).

The project itself has recently been funded by an ERC consolidator grant and is aiming to use a series of different populations of feralised chickens (domestic birds that have escaped and are now living wild throughout the Hawaiian Island chain) to map the genes and polymorphisms underlying their rapid responses to newly imposed selective forces.

Candidates are requested to apply formally as per the official announcement at the following link for the technician post:

https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=8123&rmlang=UK

And the following link for the post-doc position:

https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=8069&rmlang=UK

The application must be received by the 10th April for the technician position and the 13th April for the post-doc position. Pre-selected candidates will be expected to pass a skype or on-site interview. Successful candidates will be offered standard contract for two years, with the option to extend this to a maximum of five years.

The Wright lab is part of the AVIAN behavioural genomics and physiology group, which comprises of a variety of researchers using the chicken as a model. As such there is on-going research in behaviour, physiology, evolution, genetics and genomics amongst others. Linköping University is a large campus-based University with over 30000 staff and students. Linköping itself is the fifth largest city in Sweden, with an international airport and good rail and bus links throughout the country. For further enquiries about the positions please contact Dominic Wright (domwright@gmail.com or domwr@ifm.liu.se) for further information.

A visitor to my group (Antonia, a.salcescastellano@ipna.csic.es) is looking for accommodation from 10 June to 10 August. She just heard that her funding application failed so she need something inexpensive…

If you might be able to help with a spare room for all/part of the time, please email Antonia.

Thanks

Roger

Nice little meeting this – special interest group of the BES:

Registration is now open for the Ecological Genetics Group 2018!

The meeting concentrates on evolutionary, ecological and population
genetic issues in all types of organisms.

The 62nd Meeting of the Ecological Genetics Group will be held at the
Skempton Building, Imperial College London  between the 10th and 12th
of April, 2018.  The conference is sponsored by the British Ecological
Society and the Genetics Society.  There will be a full scientific and
social programme throughout the three-day period of the conference.
It brings together those working in the fields of population genetics,
ecology and evolution from across Europe and beyond.

Talks and posters are welcome from all! For those of you still completing
your MScs and PhDs, remember that you will have the chance to win
the coveted best talk/poster prizes!  The Ecological Genetics Group
meetings have a long tradition of being friendly and relaxed, where
young researchers studying for their PhDs can mix with established
academics, and the organizing team will ensure that this tradition is
upheld. It includes a free Natural History Museum Behind the Scenes Tour
On Wednesday afternoon.

No matter what stage of your career, please consider presenting at EGG,
we need you!  Remember students- there is the chance to win the best
student talk/ poster prizes!

If you would like to present either a talk or poster can you let Gemma
Beatty (geb3@aber.ac.uk) know by the 17th March 2018.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ecological-genetics-group-62nd-annual-meeting-tickets-42942802077?aff=es2
Contact Email: geb3@aber.ac.uk

A postdoctoral position is available, for field research into the population genetics of Antirrhinum (snapdragon). The project focusses on a hybrid zone in the Pyrenees, between subspecies that differ in flower colour: plants in the hybrid population have been genotyped for major genes that determine flower pattern, and for large numbers of SNPs that allow the pedigree to be determined over multiple generations. The aim is to find why the subspecies remain distinct, and how they diverged from each other, and more generally, to use this long-term study to understand the interplay between selection and population structure in nature.

This is a joint project between Nick Barton, at the Institute of Science and Technology, Austria (http://ist.ac.at/research/research-groups/barton-group/) , David Field, at the University of Vienna (http://molecology.univie.ac.at/about-us/david-field/), and Enrico Coen, at the John Innes Institute in Norwich (http://rico-coen.jic.ac.uk). The postdoc would be based at IST; she/he would be involved in fieldwork and analysis of genetic data.
The Institute of Science and Technology is a new multidisciplinary research institute, located in the Wienerwald, just outside Vienna (www.ist.ac.at). There are close links with other population genetics groups in the Vienna area (www.univie.ac.at/evolvienna/).

The position will be available for two years in the first instance, but with the possibility of extension; the salary scale starts at €51K p.a. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant area, with good quantitative skills, and an interest in evolutionary biology. For further details, please contact nick.barton@ist.ac.at. Applications should be sent by February 23rd, and should include a CV, a statement of research interests, and names of referees.

*Postdoc position in host-parasite *

*population genetics and genomics*

A postdoc is available in the research group of Dieter Ebert, at Basel University in Switzerland. I am looking for a highly motivated post-doc with interest in the (co-) evolutionary genetics of host-parasite interactions. This position is funded to work on the genetics/genomics of Daphnia and its microparasites. A background in evolutionary genetics, molecular genetics and bioinformatics skills is welcome. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, a superb work ethic, and the ability to think creatively and critically are desired. The project is in parts a continuation of the work described by Bento et al 2017 (PLoS Genetics, DOI:10.1371/journal.pgen.1006596).

Starting date isnegotiable (any time from April 2018 onwards). The working language in the group is English. Speaking German is helpful in every day life in Basel, but is not a requirement. A PhD degree is required. The position is initially for 2 years, but can be extended.

Please send your application by E-mail (all material in one PDF please) to Dieter Ebert. Applications should include a motivation letter, a CV, a list of publications and a 1-page statement about research interests. Please give names and email addresses of two persons who are willing to write a letter of recommendation. Application deadline is 1. March 2018.

Further information and address for application: Prof. Dr. Dieter Ebert, University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Basel, Switzerland, Email: dieter.ebert@unibas.ch Tel. +41-(0)61-207 03 60.

Web:http://evolution.unibas.ch/ebert/

******************************************************************************

*PhD-position in *

*host-pathogen interactions*

is available in the group of Dieter Ebert at Basel University, Basel, Switzerland.

I am looking for a highly motivated candidate with interests in evolutionary genetics/genomics and host-parasite interactions. The PhD project is concerned with the coevolution of parasites and its host Daphnia. The aim of the project is to gain insights into the (co-)evolutionary and genetic interactions of parasites and its Daphnia host using field-based, experimental and population genetic/genomic approaches. The position is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of Basel. The Ebert research group covers the entire range from epidemiological and ecological aspects of host-symbiont interactions, to studies on the population genetics and genomics of hosts and symbionts.

Starting date for the PhD isnegotiable (any time from April 2018 onwards). The working language in the group is English. Speaking German is helpful in every day life in Basel, but is not a requirement. A Master degree (or equivalent) in biology or related subject is necessary for admission. A PhD program at Basel University takes about 3.5 years.

Please send your application by E-mail (all material in one PDF please) to Dieter Ebert. Applications should include a motivation letter, a CV, a list of publications and a statement about research interests. Please give names and email addresses of two persons who are willing to write a letter of recommendation. Application deadline is 1. March 2018.

Further information and address for application: Prof. Dr. Dieter Ebert, University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Basel, Switzerland, Email: dieter.ebert@unibas.ch Tel. +41-(0)61-207 03 60.

Web:http://evolution.unibas.ch/ebert/

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Postgraduate Student Sponsorship Applications: Only 2 weeks to go to get your applications submitted!

Only 2 weeks left to get your applications in! Primerdesign are still collecting applications for its Postgraduate Student Sponsorship scheme for research projects. So get your applications in so that you don’t miss out. Selected gold students can look forward to receiving:

Free two-day qPCR training at Primerdesign on the 26th and 27th of March 2018, including overnight accommodation and travel to our offices in Southampton
~£3000 worth of free kits and reagents tailored to your specific project
20% discount for all our kits and reagents for the remainder of the project
Access to the Primerdesign webinar series
An optional opportunity to have details of your research featured on the Primerdesign website and social networks
Hands on technical assistance and training from our experts

Every year Primerdesign sponsors a number of postgraduate students across the UK to help with their research by actively promoting good science and providing an assortment of free and discounted, high quality real-time PCR reagents. Projects are assessed, and a number of sponsorships awarded on merit.

The above is intended for use by the postgraduate student, but can be used by the group at the discretion of the student supervisor. Kits, reagents and training will be provided without the exchange of funds and will be organised by agreement with the Primerdesign expert.

If you are a Postgraduate student or a supervisor and intend to use real-time PCR then Primerdesign would be delighted to consider sponsoring your or your student.

Applications will close on the 26th January 2018. Successful candidates will be notified on 16th February 2018.

For more information or to register your interest please visit:

http://www.primerdesign-students.co.uk/

If you are not a supervisor or student with a Real-Time PCR project, but know someone who is, please forward this email to them.

We are looking for a PhD candidate interested in studying the genomic consequences of human-facilitated gene flow in a Daphnia species complex. The position is part of the INTERREG SEEWANDEL research initiative, which includes seven institutions in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria and seeks to investigate the effects of environmental change on biodiversity and resilience in Lake Constance and other large peri-Alpine lakes.

The position is funded for 48 months and to be filled at the earliest possible date. The successful candidate will be based at the Molecular Ecology Group at the Institute of Ecology of the University of Innsbruckm which is highly interdisciplinary and internationally very well connected: https://www.uibk.ac.at/ecology/forschung/molecular_ecology.html.en

Lake-eutrophication during the last century has facilitated secondary contact between ecologically important Daphnia species in peri-Alpine lakes. The extent of secondary contact depends on the degree of trophic change. The successful candidate will use recent population samples and Daphnia resting eggs from sediment cores to quantify and characterize gene flow between species and study the consequences of the secondary contact on species integrity and functional traits. The project comprises sedimentological work (collecting sediment cores), molecular lab work (DNA extractions and library preparation), and extensive bioinformatics analyses as well as some experimental work with Daphnia. The study will focus on three large peri-Alpine lakes with different trophic histories – Lake Constance, Lake Walen, and Lake Zurich – and will include close collaborations with the members of the SEEWANDEL initiative. Part of the experimental work will be conducted at Eawag (Switzerland).

Candidates should be highly motivated and have a strong interest in evolutionary biology, ecology, and population genetics. The planned work will require a high degree of independence and the ability to work in a team. Experience in (i) molecular lab and field work, (ii) analyses of whole-genome re-sequencing data, (iii) and basic programming skills (e.g. R, Python, bash) will be an advantage. The project includes several collaborators and international groups in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK, and therefore good English skills are essential.

***Salary***
The annual gross salary is EURO 28,994 for a 48-months employment. The contract includes health insurance and 5 weeks of holidays per year. Furthermore, the university has numerous attractive offers: https://www.uibk.ac.at/universitaet/zusatzleistungen/index.html.en

***How to apply***
Please send a single pdf file including a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, a complete list of publications and contact details of two references to Markus.Moest@uibk.ac.at. Applications must be written in English and submitted until 16 February 2018.

The University of Innsbruck is striving to increase the percentage of female employees and therefore invites qualified women to apply. In the case of equivalent qualifications, women will be given preference. An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

***The research institution and its environment***
Detailed information about the Molecular Ecology group can be found here: http://www.uibk.ac.at/ecology/forschung/molecular_ecology.html.en. The University of Innsbruck has a long-standing and internationally renowned tradition in life sciences and offers a vibrant research atmosphere. It has 27,000 students and 4,000 staff members. Innsbruck is situated in the Alps, very close to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Excellent train connections and airports in Innsbruck and close by in Munich and Salzburg ensure good connections and easy travelling. The scenery and possibilities for outdoor recreation are fantastic.

***Any questions?***
For more information on the position, the project, the group, or the University, please do not hesitate to contact Markus Möst or Birgit Schlick-Steiner directly.

MÖST Markus, PhD
University of Innsbruck
Institute of Ecology
Research Group: Molecular Ecology
Technikerstrasse 25 (Room 517)
A-6020 Innsbruck
Tel: +43 (0)512 507-51771
Fax: +43 (0)512 507-51799
E-mail: markus.moest@uibk.ac.at

SCHLICK-STEINER Birgit Dr., Univ.-Prof.
University of Innsbruck
Institute of Ecology
Deputy Head of the Institute
Head of the Research Group: Molecular Ecology
Technikerstrasse 25 (Room 516)
A-6020 Innsbruck
T +43 (0)512 507-51750
F +43 (0)512 507-51799
E-mail: Birgit.Schlick-Steiner@uibk.ac.at