The Martin Fish Speciation Lab at the University of California Berkeley
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (starting January 2019) seeks a postdoc for
integrative studies of adaptive phenotypes and fitness in a sympatric
radiation of trophic specialist pupfishes. Pupfishes present a rare
opportunity to investigate the recent origins of spectacular adaptive
radiation and the evolution of novel niches (e.g. scale-eating) localized
to a single Bahamian island despite thousands of similar Caribbean
environments. Our lab also investigates Cameroon crater lake cichlids, one
of the most celebrated examples of sympatric speciation in nature, and the
role of gene flow in their diversification.
A multi-year position is available (initial 12 month appointment with the
possibility of renewal for four more years). This research is funded by
both NIH and NSF grants. Start date is flexible, but must be after January
2019. Salary is scaled to the standard NIH postdoctoral rates.
This is a highly flexible position and we are seeking postdoctoral
applicants with interests/expertise in any of the following areas: *speciation
genomics, functional morphology, quantitative genetics, or craniofacial
development*.
Ongoing potential projects in the lab include:
1) Estimate the genetic architectures of novel adaptive traits within
Caribbean pupfishes using a combination of QTL mapping crosses, divergence
mapping from whole genome resequencing, GWAS, allele-specific expression,
and analyses of selective sweeps and introgression.
2) Measure the relationship between genotype, phenotype, and fitness across
a complex fitness landscape estimated from the growth and survival of F2
hybrid pupfish placed in field enclosures on multiple Bahamian islands.
3) Functional and high-speed kinematic analyses of scale-eating performance
in the wild and across a phenotypic continuum of laboratory hybrids.
4) Validation of candidate regulatory variants using in situ hybridization
and CRISPR knockouts in the pupfish system.
The postdoc will have the option to participate in fieldwork in the Bahamas
and/or Cameroon, but previous field experience is not necessary and
participation is not required.
Required qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent degree in biology, evolution, genetics, bioinformatics,
or related field. Publication of work based on dissertation. Programming
experience in R or python. No pipetting experience necessary as this
position is for downstream data analysis.
UC Berkeley has a world-class community of integrative biologists studying
adaptive radiation spanning the Department of Integrative Biology, the
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, the Department of Environmental Science,
Policy, and Management, the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, the
Center
for Theoretical Evolutionary Genomics, and more. UC Berkeley offers competitive
salaries, excellent benefits, and is an equal opportunity employer. The
City of Berkeley and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area is known for
its progressive values, vibrant social and cultural scene, and beautiful
surrounding environment.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran
status. Applicants from under-represented backgrounds are especially
encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their interest
in the position and relevant experience along with their CV, PDFs of two
recent publications, and contact information for three references to Chris
Martin at chmartin@unc.edu
This position is open until filled, but please apply within the next four
weeks for full consideration. Please feel free to contact me at the above
email address with any questions.
Christopher Martin
Assistant Curator of Ichthyology, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
University of California, Berkeley
http://labs.bio.unc.edu/martin/
@fishspeciation
Christopher Martin <chmartin@unc.edu>
via Luiz de Camões