Catholic University of Leuven PhD Position in Evolutionary Biology

June 10, 2008

4 YEAR PhD POSITION IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGYCatholic University of Leuven, Leuven (B)

A 4 year PhD position for an evolutionary biologist is vacant at the
Laboratory of Animal Diversity and Systematics (Catholic University of
Leuven) in the research group of Prof. Filip Volckaert to perform a study
entitled: “Strong selection pressures and micro-evolutionary responses in
the three-spined stickleback”.

Project description: The project investigates the conceptual and
methodological integration of ecology and evolutionary biology. The
successful candidate will study the evolutionary response of the
three-spined stickleback to strong selection pressures (predation and
parasitism) in an ecological context. Patterns of phenotypic variation will
be explored in natural populations and phenotypic adaptation tested
experimentally. The rapid evolutionary response at the genomic level will
subsequently be studied under natural and experimental conditions. The
stickleback is a prime model for evolutionary research with access to an
impressive molecular toolbox, enabling the understanding of the link between
phenotypic and genomic responses to environmental and anthropogenic factors.
Evolution in sticklebacks has been studied in our team over the past five
years (Raeymaekers et al. 2005 and 2007, Molecular Ecology; Raeymaekers et
al. 2008, Evolutionary Applications). The project starts on 1 October 2008
and is supervised by prof. Filip Volckaert and dr. Joost Raeymaekers.

The research team: The Fish Genetics Team has a strong expertise in
phenotypic, neutral and adaptive evolution, including field monitoring,
experimental design, medium-throughput genotyping, the analysis of genetic,
genomic, and phenotypic data with up-to-date statistical approaches, and
modeling for heuristic and operational analyses. Topics addressed include
phylogeny, barcoding, phylogeography, the study of hybridisation, population
genetics, local adaptation and rapid evolution (natural and fisheries
induced), enhanced selection in aquaculture (aquaculture genomics),
bioinformatics, co-evolution between host and parasite, spatio-temporal
dynamics of nursery grounds and the sustainable management of aquatic
habitats. Our team comprises 6 PhD students, 4 postdocs, 2 technicians and a
team leader. The historic KULeuven, founded in 1425, has a very stimulating
research environment. The modern city of Leuven with its medieval roots
offers a high quality of life.

Candidate profile: Strong motivation, background in evolutionary biology,
interest or experience in field based experimental research, open to
international contacts with other research groups, is strongly recommended.
Research will be carried out in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team
of ecologists, parasitologists, evolutionary biologists and population
geneticists. Importantly, this position is only vacant for prospective
students fluent in the Dutch language.

Financing: The successful candidates fellowship (approximately 1600 / month
netto) is funded by a national project of excellence granted by the KULeuven
(GOA). The candidate is expected to apply for a national IWT fellowship by
September 2008.

Application deadline: Please send a letter of motivation, C.V., and two
letters of reference to Filip Volckaert by June 15 2008. For more
information contact joost.raeymaekers@bio.kuleuven.be or
filip.volckaert@bio.kuleuven.be.

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