PhD position in Population Genomics – Switzerland PhD Scholarships

October 30, 2009

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PhD position in Population Genomics

The CMPG lab (http://cmpg.iee.unibe.ch) is looking for a highly motivated student to work with Laurent Excoffier and Matthieu Foll on the joint estimation of selective and demographic processes having occurred in the recent history of populations.

These investigations will be done by a combination of theoretical and computational approaches. It will involve the simulation of selective processes in a spatially explicit and heterogeneous environment. These simulations should be integrated into an inferential framework (e.g. Approximate Bayesian Computations) with the aim of detecting loci responsible for adaptations to specific environments and measuring selective pressures from genomic data, including next generation sequencing data in humans and voles.

The successful applicant should have a Masters in Biology, Bioinformatics, or Statistics, and some previous experience in population genetics, statistics and programming (e.g. in C/C++, Java, or R). Post-graduate teaching and seminars are held in English in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, and it is also the working language in the CMPG lab. Notions of German or French could be helpful but not absolutely necessary for daily life. The CMPG lab is well equipped with computational tools including a 64 node Linux cluster, and access to the much larger Ubelix cluster of the University (1000+ CPUs). Our lab is also affiliated to the doctoral program in Ecology and Evolution (http://www.unil.ch/ee), the Swiss NSF ProDoc program in Population Genomics, and the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (http://www.isb-sib.ch), which all provide access to stimulating and helpful doctoral training and courses (held in English).

The position is open until filled, and could start, for a minimum of 3 years, earliest on 1st January 2010. Gross salary follows the UniBE scale and is around 40,000 CHF (about 25,000 ¤) per year.

Applicants should send (before December 1st 2009) within a single pdf file, a motivation letter with names and emails of two referees, a CV, and a publication list to laurent.excoffier@iee.unibe.ch

The city of Bern is listed among those offering the best quality of life in the world, and it is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Swiss capital has a broad range of cultural activities, and is well connected to major Swiss and European cities. It is conveniently located near the Swiss Alps, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. Rents
remain very affordable and there is a vast choice of accommodation. More information is available on http://www.berninfo.com/en.

Relevant CMPG publications on this topic include:

Currat M, Excoffier L, Maddison W, et al. (2006) Comment on “Ongoing adaptive evolution of ASPM, a brain size determinant in Homo sapiens” and “Microcephalin, a gene regulating brain size, continues to evolve adaptively in humans”. Science 313, 172.
Fagundes NJ, Ray N, Beaumont M, et al. (2007) Statistical evaluation of alternative models of human evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104, 17614-17619.
Excoffier L, Foll M, Petit RJ (2009) Genetic Consequences of Range Expansions. Annual Review in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 40.481-501 Excoffier L, Hofer T, Foll M (2009) Detecting loci under selection in a hierarchically structured population. Heredity.

Deadline for application is December 1st 2009

Scholarship