Postdoctoral position in polyploid genomics

Postdoctoral position in polyploid genomics

A 2-year position as a postdoctoral researcher/fellow in polyploid genomics, financed by a grant from the Swedish Research Council, is available at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Plant Ecology and Evolution, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems. For more information, at www.ieg.uu.se.

Project description
Polyploidization, the increase in genome size caused by the inheritance of an additional set (or sets) of chromosomes is a major force in evolution. Allopolyploidy corresponds to two processes altering fundamentally the hereditary material: whole genome duplication (WGD) and hybridization. Transition to allopolyploidy is also often accompanied by a mating system shift, from outcrossing to selfing. Three major transitions at once seem a tall order. Yet, our recent genomic studies in natural sheperd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) as well as with resynthetized allopolyploids, together with studies in other allopolyploid species, have demonstrated the absence of genomic shocks. Instead, there is a strong parental legacy and a gradual evolution of both alloploidy and the selfing syndrome. Hence, understanding the evolution of these two transitions implies understanding more subtle processes, in particular, how the genetic architecture of quantitative traits is altered by the joint effect of WGD, hybridization and mating system shift. We propose here (i) to leverage recent progress in the analysis of the architecture of complex traits and carry out genomewide association studies (GWAS) in C. bursa-pastoris and its parental diploid species (ii) to take advantage of our series of resynthetized Capsella polyploids to cross these resynthetized polyploids with established C. bursa-pastoris to identify genes associated with the progressive evolution of the selfing syndrome.

Duties
Fieldwork, lab work (plant growing and measurements), bioinformatics, population and quantitative genetics analyses. The applicant will be responsible for fieldwork, lab work, generating new genomic data, and for their bioinformatics and population genetics analysis, and for writing and publishing articles. 

Requirements
PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in population genomics or evolutionary biology. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc. Candidates must be able to express themselves fluently in spoken as well as written English. We attach great importance to personal qualities such as ability to work in a group. 

Additional qualifications
Good fieldwork and lab skills as well as proficiency in programming (bash, Python, R) and/or statistical and modelling skills will be highly valued. 

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position for 24 months, with a possibility to an extension up to a maximum of 36 months, if funds are available, according to central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date 2024-07-01, or as agreed. Location: Uppsala 

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Martin Lascoux, martin.lascoux@ebc.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 15 May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1151.

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