Katedra zoologie

Přírodovědecká fakulta Jihočeské univerzity

Úvodní stránka Aktuality Volná místa Groningen, Netherlands: 3 Postdocs, 2 PhDs in theoretical biol, systems biol & experimental evol
Groningen, Netherlands: 3 Postdocs, 2 PhDs in theoretical biol, systems biol & experimental evol PDF Tisk Email
3 Postdoc and 2 PhD positions in theoretical biology, systems biology &
experimental evolution
At the Theoretical Research in Evolutionary Life Sciences group (TRÊS,
formerly known as Theoretical Biology) at the University of Groningen in
the Netherlands, we have the following 5 positions immediately available:
 

(1) Postdoc (2.5-3yr): Towards a quantitative evolutionary theory of
caste-specific senescence in social insects.
 
The reproductive casts of eusocial insect species typically far
outlive their genetically nearly identical worker casts. This makes
them uniquely suitable for developing and testing evolutionary theories
of ageing. In this project, quantitative evolutionary models will be
developed to predict cast-specific senescence profiles and how they
vary with species-specific social structure, ecology and life history
characteristics of social insects. Both relatively simple analytical life
history models and more complex systems biological simulation models
will be developed. In close collaboration with several experimental
social insect groups in Germany, models will be parameterized with life
history data and experimental data from other projects in order to test
predictions and guide further experimental research.  Contact: Ido Pen
(
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(2) Postdoc (2yr): The evolution of self-organized division of labour
in social insects.
 
Division of labour (DOL) is characterized by the coordinated interaction
of individuals that collectively achieve a common goal with high
efficiency by specializing on certain tasks. DOL plays a crucial role for
life on this planet; yet its evolution is not well-understood. Natural
selection on DOL is indirect, since DOL is not a heritable property
in itself but the result of self- organisation. The challenge is to
understand how selection acting on individual behaviour results in the
evolution of well-organized collective behaviour. To meet this challenge,
we will develop and analyse models for the evolution of self-organized
division of labour in social insects. In the project we will study how
evolved division of labour is shaped by the interplay of internal factors
(such as genetic system, mating structure, behavioural architecture)
and external conditions (such as the spatial and temporal distribution
of resources or between-colony conflicts).  Contact: Franjo Weissing
(
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(3) Postdoc (1yr): The evolution of dispersal syndromes.
 
The study of 'behavioural syndromes' or 'animal personalities' is
currently a hot topic in the behavioural sciences. In organisms ranging
from squids to chimpanzees it has been shown that individuals differ
systematically in their behavioural tendencies, that this differences
are stable in time, and that behavioural differences in quite different
domains (like dispersal and parental behaviour) are correlated with each
other. Over the years, our group has developed many models for explaining
the evolutionary emergence and stability of such syndromes. In this
project, we will develop evolutionary models for dispersal syndromes. In
hundreds of species it has been shown that genetically similar individuals
differ strongly in their dispersal and migration tendencies, and that
these differences are correlated with other behavioural and physiological
differences. A general explanation for the emergence and structure of
these syndromes is, however, still lacking. This is a joint project
with empirical behavioural ecologists (Prof. Dr. Jan Komdeur, Dr. Hannah
Dugdale). It is an ideal stepping-stone for writing a grant proposal for
a longer stay at the University of Groningen.  Contact: Franjo Weissing
(
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(4) PhD (4yr): Molecular evolution of the bacterial chemotaxis network.
 
The molecular network underlying chemotaxis in bacteria has emerged as a
prototype for studying the molecular basis of behavior and evolutionary
adaptation.  This small signal- transduction network has been extensively
studied in Escherichia coli, but has also been characterized in other
bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis.  Surprisingly, many components
of the chemotaxis network are shared across species, while striking
interspecific differences exist in the topology and complexity of the
network. In this project, we will combine systems-biology modelling,
evolutionary analyses and bio-informatic approaches to explain these
patterns, and also aim to develop broader insights into the evolution
of molecular networks.  Contact: Sander van Doorn (
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(5) PhD (4yr): Genome architecture and adaptation
 
Evolutionary models typically assume that traits have a simple genetic
basis, but in reality genes occur in a complex genomic context. In this
project, we focus on the architecture of the genome, and how it affects
mutation, recombination and, eventually, phenotypic adaptation. Also,
we will investigate how selection and non-adaptive processes shape
the genomic architecture and evolvability of traits. The project will
integrate proximate and ultimate research approaches, using a combination
of microbial evolution experiments, computational modelling and bio-
informatics.  Contact: Sander van Doorn (
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To apply for a specific position, please send a letter of motivation
and an extensive CV (including the names and email addresses of three
referees) to the contact person indicated for the position.
 
 
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