The PhD fellow will be part of a team working on the project “Tracking signatures of adaptive diversification during postglacial colonization in threespine stickleback”. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway.The overall aims of the project are to detect genomic regions and phenotypic traits under selection when sticklebacks invade fresh waters. To do this we will use a set of genetic methods, including SNP-genotyping and large-scale sequencing. Sticklebacks will be sampled in the field, based on prior information on phenotype distributions. Based on phenotypic and genotypic data the candidate will, depending on prior competence, investigate this adaptation process either using molecular genetic approaches or more statistically based methods. The PhD-candidate will work with supervisors at the CEES (L.A. Vøllestad, T.F. Hansen, K.S. Jakobsen, K. Østbye) and international collaborators (F. Volckaert, A. Nolte).

Requirements:

Applicants must hold a MSc-degree (or equivalent) and have experience in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, population genetics or quantitative genetics – preferentially with solid experience in several of these field. Good analytical skills are necessary.

For this position, we seek a highly motivated, enthusiastic person with the ambition to gain insight and publish papers in leading, international journals. The successful candidate must be prepared to spend some periods abroad for training and cooperation.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the research training programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. An approved plan for the research training, including a  project outline, must be submitteed no later than two months after taking up the position, and the admission must be approved within three months

The application must  include:

• a cover letter including a statement of interest, summarizing the applicant’s scientific work and interests and describing how she/he fits the requirements for the position
• a CV including a list of published and unpublished works
• transcripts of records, copies of certificates and grades from bachelor and master level
• two letters from reference persons or names and addresses of two reference persons
• copies of relevant published papers

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Closing date for applications: 20 August, 2010