Employment
Society members searching for personnel are encouraged to post job announcements
here.
Other announcements with protist relevance can be found at:
http://life.biology.mcmaster.ca/~brian/evoldir.html
Current announcements:
- PhD Studentships in Eukaryotic Evolution and Stramenopile Mitochondrial Biochemistry
- Postdoctoral Position: Next-gen sequencing of marine ciliate communities
- Graduate Student Positions in Genome Evolution/Phylogenomics of Microbial Eukaryotes and Next-generation Sequencing of Marine Ciliates
University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
PhD Studentships in Eukaryotic Evolution and Stramenopile Mitochondrial Biochemistry
Posting date: January 20, 2012
Position 1: Modelling early eukaryotic evolution using biogeochemical data – a systems approach.
Supervisors: Dr. Mark van der Giezen (Biosciences) & Prof. Tim Lenton (Geography).
It is commonly assumed that the ancestor of all eukaryotes was aerobic and acquired a mitochondrion when oxygen first rose to significant levels in the atmosphere. However, although atmospheric oxygen concentration rose in a ‘Great Oxidation’ of the atmosphere around 2.4 billion years ago, it only reached 1-10% of the present level, and the deep oceans remained largely anoxic and either iron-enriched or sulphidic until 580 million years ago, when the eukaryotic radiation was well underway. This new picture could explain the widespread distribution of anaerobic biochemistry in every eukaryotic supergroup. This project will provide training in handling large-scale datasets of various strategically-chosen anaerobic eukaryotic taxa. We have the genomes of several key organisms and proven collaborations to provide access to other key genomes which have been published, or are soon to be submitted to high impact journals. Training will also be provided to use the Proterozoic Earth system model to explore the chemical composition of the ancient ocean, with particular emphasis on availability of different trace metals. This will be matched to the anaerobic biochemical potential of representative genomes, to arrive at a novel synthesis of these inter-disciplinary fields. Lenton is an expert in the coupled evolution of life and the planet and has recently developed an Earth system model of the Proterozoic Eon in which eukaryotes evolved. This model includes a 3-dimensional ocean with sediments and many geochemical tracers that can be matched to data recorded in ancient rocks to reconstruct the environments in which eukaryotes evolved. Van der Giezen is an expert in anaerobic eukaryote biochemistry and evolution and has recently reviewed energy metabolism in anaerobic eukaryotes. This is a good time to combine our expertise on the interplay between anaerobic environments and eukaryotes through a crucial interval of Earth history. We envisage several good quality publications, given that ancient ocean redox chemistry and anaerobic eukaryotic biochemistry have both been the subject of a string of high impact papers over the last ten years or so and we have been involved in several of these.
About the award
We are inviting applications to commence October 2012. For eligible students the awards will cover UK/EU tuition fees and an annual stipend (in 2011/12 this was £13,590 for full-time students, pro rata for part-time students) for at least three years.
Entry requirements
Applicants for these studentships must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a relevant subject. The studentships are only available to UK and other EU nationals (due to funding criteria, EU nationals who have not been resident in the UK for the three years prior to the start of their studentship may be restricted to a fees-only award). The awards provide funding for tuition fees and stipend, subject to eligibility.
How to apply can be found here: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=923 Application deadline: 29th February 2012
Position 2: An evolutionary fluke resulting in novel and safe drugs to protect crops and humans.
Supervisors: Dr. Mark van der Giezen & Dr. David J. Studholme.
We identified a unique and novel mechanism that can be exploited to tackle major plant pathogens such as Phytophthora. This proposal addresses the BBSRC Food Security strategic priority and will provide combined training in bioinformatics and biochemistry/cell biology.
The aims are:
- Identify the novel stramenopile-specific mitochondrial transport protein by comparative genomics.
- Interfere with this glycolytic transporter using substrate-analogs.
We have demonstrated that in a large group of organisms, which includes major plant pathogens such as Phytophthora and the human parasite Blastocystis, the second half of glycolysis is localized in mitochondria rather than the cytoplasm.
Mitochondrial localization of the latter half of glycolysis necessitates a novel transporter. As several genomes of related organisms are available, and both supervisors have produced additional related human and plant pathogen genomes (for example the Gatsby/FERA-funded P. ramorum sequencing project aimed at understanding the pathogen that destroys our larch population), comparative genomics will allow us to identify this transporter. This prediction will be tested in the lab where natural and synthetic substrates will be employed to characterise and block the function of this novel transporter. Interference with this transporter is expected to be lethal for these organisms opening the way to new and safe herbicides to be developed against a major plant pathogen in line with BBSRC priorities.
DTP Program overview
The DTP projects are designed to provide outstanding interdisciplinary training in a range of topics in Food Security and World-Class Bioscience, underpinned by training in mathematics and complexity science. They are designed to raise the aspirations of students by equipping them with the generic and employability skills needed to become future leaders in academia and industry.
The SWDTP will allocate approximately 2/3 of its studentships to training in World-Class Bioscience and 1/3 to Food Security.
The SWDTP will follow a 4-year PhD model. Students will select 2 x 12-week, assessed laboratory rotations in year 1, and will choose from a range of skills-training modules available across the partner institutions. Students will begin their PhD project in week 46, and will continue their skills development training throughout their PhD via the PIPS (Professional Internships for PhD students) scheme, an annual SWDTP Research Conference, journal clubs, and online skills training provision.
To help identify ongoing skills development, students will generate individually tailored Professional Development Plans that will be incorporated into an interactive website (Postgraduate Skills Development Portal).
A bespoke graduate skills training program is designed to provide research and transferable skills linked to academic progression, personal development and career aspirations. Each DTP cohort will be assigned a PG Tutor who will be responsible for academic support and development for the duration of the program.
The PhD thesis must be submitted within 4 years of starting the program.
Eligibility
Applicants for a studentships must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.
These studentships are available to UK and other EU nationals (due to funding criteria, EU nationals MUST have resided in the UK for three years prior to commencing the studentship). They provide funding for tuition fees and stipend, subject to eligibility.
How to apply can be found here: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=910
Application deadline: 10th February 2012
Smith College and UMASS-Amherst, Amherst, MA (USA)
Postdoctoral Position: Next-gen sequencing of marine ciliate communities
Posting date: October 19, 2011
Smith College invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research position focusing on next-gen sequencing of nearshore ciliate communities. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extending for additional years. The position will be housed in Professor Laura Katz's laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences (http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/lkatz/Research.htm); questions should be directed to lkatz@smith.edu.
The goals of the project are to elucidate patterns of diversity of ciliates in near-shore environments and to explore the ecological processes that underlie this diversity. The project is collaborative between Laura Katz at Smith College and marine ecologist George McManus at the University of Connecticut (http://microzooplankton.uconn.edu/). Work on the project combines next-generation sequencing, mesocosm analyses, and community footprints through DGGE. Hence, applicants should have skills in molecular evolution and bioinformatics.
Research in the Katz lab aims to elucidate principles of the evolution in eukaryotes through analyses of microbial groups, and to assess how these principles apply (or fail to apply) to other organisms. Currently we focus on four interrelated areas: (1) Characterizing evolutionary relationships among eukaryotes; (2) Reconstructing the ciliate tree of life through multi-gene analyses; (3) Exploring the evolution of ciliate and foraminiferan genomes; (4) Describing the phylogeography of coastal marine ciliates.
To apply, submit application at http://jobs.smith.edu with letter of application, C.V., a statement of research interests, representative publications, and the names and contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin November 1st, 2011.
Smith College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire, and Mount Holyoke Colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity.
Smith College and UMASS-Amherst, Amherst, MA (USA)
Graduate Student Positions in Genome Evolution/Phylogenomics of Microbial Eukaryotes and Next-generation Sequencing of Marine Ciliates
Posting date: September 27, 2011
Laura Katz is looking for highly motivated students to work on two projects:
Genome evolution and phylogenomics of microbial eukaryotes. Applicants should have skills/interest in molecular systematics, bioinformatics, microbiology and/or molecular evolution. Potential projects include: 1) bioinformatic and/or experimental analyses of eukaryotic phylogeny and 2) characterization of genome properties from microbial eukaryotes, with a focus on ciliates and amoeboid lineages.
Elucidating patterns of diversity of ciliates in near-shore environments and to explore the ecological processes that underlie this diversity. The project is collaborative between Laura Katz's lab at Smith College and marine ecologist George McManus at the University of Connecticut. Work on the project combines next-generation sequencing, mesocosm analyses, and community footprints through DGGE.
Research in the Katz lab aims to elucidate principles of evolution in eukaryotes through analyses of microbial groups, and to assess how these principles apply (or fail to apply) to other organisms. Currently we focus on four interrelated areas: (1) Characterizing evolutionary relationships among eukaryotes; (2) Reconstructing the ciliate tree of life through multigene analyses; (3) Exploring the evolution of ciliate and amoeba genomes; (4) Describing the phylogeography of coastal marine ciliates.
Graduate students in the lab join either through the MS program at Smith College or the Ph.D. program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Interested individuals should visit the web sites below and contact Dr. Laura Katz directly (lkatz@smith.edu).
Laura Katz, Smith College http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/lkatz/Research.htmOEB at UMass Amherst http://www.bio.umass.edu/oeb/
Smith College MS in biology http://www.smith.edu/biology/graduate.php