General information
Reference : UMR5554-CARSMA-002
Workplace : MONTPELLIER
Date of publication : Saturday, June 18, 2022
Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
Contract Period : 13 months
Expected date of employment : 15 November 2022
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : Between 2600 et 3800 euros brut per month depending on experience
Desired level of education : PhD
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Missions
We seek a postdoctoral researcher with experience in population genomics to work on an ANR (French research agency)-funded project (ANR MECADAPT) addressing the mechanisms of adaptation and speciation in a phytophagous species, the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). This pest species is a model system in ecological specialisation and speciation studies due to its complex of plant-specialised biotypes that form a continuum of divergence from closely related host races to incipient species. The postdoc will be in charge of population genomics approaches to explore the evolutionary history of biotype formation and diversification in the pea aphid complex.
Activities
She/he will perform demographic inferences to reconstruct the evolutionary and demographic history of biotype diversification and genomic differentiation analyses to characterise loci involved in reproductive isolation and the dynamics of genomic differentiation as speciation unfolds. Datasets made of >200 pooled and individual resequenced genomes from worldwide samples will be available at the start of the project and will be expanded during the project.
Skills
Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant area (evolutionary biology, population genomics). We are seeking someone with a vivid interest in evolutionary biology and speciation/adaptation research and with a strong background in population genomics and statistical genetics. Experience in handling genomic data and population genomics methods, as well as skills in bioinformatics and programming, are required. A plus would be a candidate with existing experience with methods for demographic inference. The candidate should have excellent skills in written and spoken English to be able to communicate the results of his/her work. Candidates will not need to speak French since the working language can be English.
Work Context
The position will be based at ISEM (Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier), in Montpellier, France, in strong interaction with CBGP (Centre of biology for the management of populations). The postdoc will closely work with Carole Smadja (ISEM), Emmanuelle Jousselin (CBGP), Mathieu Gautier (CBGP) and Renaud Vitalis (CBGP) and will benefit from the available expertise in population genomics, speciation/adaptation genomics and aphid evolution and biology at the host institution. The postdoc will also collaborate with the other partners of the ANR project based in Rennes (Jean-Christophe Simon, Julie Jaquiéry, Fabrice Legeai at IGEPP – INRAE), in Poitiers (Jean Peccoud at EBI – University of Poitiers). The postdoc will therefore benefit from a rich collaborative network, as well as a stimulating working environment in Montpellier, a centre of excellence in biodiversity research and known for its quality of life in the Mediterranean region.
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