Postdoc position on studying incomplete lineage sorting and morphological evolution in primates

Postdoc of evolutionary genomics
Department of Biology
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

A postdoc position for three years on comparative analyses for primate genomes will be open in Department of Biology at University of Copenhagen from September 1st 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project description
Incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) is an evolutionary event frequently occur during rapid speciation where the ancestral polymorphisms randomly fixed in the derived lineages. ILS has profound impacts on the speciation process and often produced challenge for phylogenetic inference. It is one of the major causes for the incongruence between the gene tree and species tree. It has been reported that ILS occurred in many taxa that experience rapid radiation, including birds, marsupials, and great apes. It has been shown before that at least 15% of human genomic sequences are more closely related to gorilla than chimpanzee, suggesting the ILS might have profound impact on human evolution. In this study, we will explore the functional impacts of the ILS to the human morphology evolution by looking at the gene expression data and the skeleton data in great apes.

Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG)
The research group is led by Prof. Guojie Zhang with the research focus on biodiversity genomics. The research group has developed many large-scale genomics study to understand the evolutionary process and mechanisms for speciation and adaptation for broad spectrum of animal taxa. The group has good international environment and consists of researchers covering a wide range of disciplines, including bioinformatics, genomics, evolution, developmental biologist, and ecology. More detail about the research group can be found from http://zhanggjlab.org/

Your job
The candidate of this position will perform the bioinformatic analyses to detect the ILS signal in great apes and infer the functional implication by integrating the functional genomic data have been released in public domains. The candidate will also perform the bioinformatic analyses on the skeleton and anatomic data in great apes and infer the potential impacts of the ILS on the morphology.

We can offer you a highly ambitious yet friendly working environment where the cross-disciplinary research is conducted. The CBG often establishs collaboration with the top labs in the relevant fields to strenghthen the reserch program. Therefore, the candidate will be exposed to international collaboration and should have the ability to coordinate the collaboration project.

The postdoci’s main duties will be on research but will also involve in teaching on relevant courses. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

The starting salary is currently up to DKK 437.435 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 74.801). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Profile
The ideal applicant holds a master degree on evolutionary genomics, comparative genomics or close research field, and possess the following:

• Hands-on experience with comparative genomics
• Hands-on experience with programing and statstics
• Knowledge with primate anatomy will be highly preferred
• Creativity and ability to be both team-oriented and independent
• A proven record of excellent writing skill

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vita
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Complete publication list
• Contacts of three refeers

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2021, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Apply online
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.