Post doc available: The role of transcriptional and regulatory changes during compensatory evolution

Which principles influence the rewiring and tuning of gene regulatory networks? How do those network react to genetic perturbations? We are seeking a post-doc to tackle those and related questions in project utilizing populations of Drosophila that have undergone compensatory adaptation using experimental evolution and artificial selection. The project involves the analysis of tissue specific RNA-seq and numerical analyses. The ideal candidate is strong in evolutionary genetics, statistical and bioinformatic analyses and with capable hands for molecular biology. Excellent communication skills, main focus on writing, are required, as is a solid publication record. The candidate will be encouraged (and given time) to develop their own research program.

The project involves a collaboration between University of Iceland and McMaster University, with approx. 3/4 of the work conducted in Iceland and 1/4 in Canada. Those interested are asked to send a cover letter detailing research interests and experience, a current CV, and contact details for three professional references by April 1st. Anticipated start date is Fall 2016, but this is flexible. The position is funded by the Icelandic Research fund (for 2 years), salary commensurate with qualifications.

The University of Iceland is the leading research institute in the country, and groups at the Institute of biology (luvs.hi.is/institute-biology) and Biomedical Center (lifvisindi.hi.is) study genomics, evolutionary, developmental, cellular and molecular biology. The shared facilities include High throughput sequencers, various specialized molecular biology equipment and computer clusters. The University is an equal opportunity workplace with strong combination of international and domestic scientists.

Learn more about the work in the Palsson (uni.hi.is/apalsson) and Dworkin (http://www.biology.mcmaster.ca/dworkin/) labs.

Please send applications and/or inquiries to apalsson@hi.is.

This project is built on work on indel polymorphism in the even skipped stripes 3+7 enhancer and on the conditional effects of genetic backgrounds on wing mutations.

Palsson A, Wesolowska N, Reynisdóttir S, Ludwig MZ, Kreitman M (2014) Naturally Occurring Deletions of Hunchback Binding Sites in the Even-Skipped Stripe 3+7 Enhancer. PLoS ONE 9(5): e91924. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0091924

Chari S, Dworkin I (2013) The Conditional Nature of Genetic Interactions: The Consequences of Wild-Type Backgrounds on Mutational Interactions in a Genome-Wide Modifier Screen. PLoS Genet 9(8): e1003661. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1003661