Subject: PhD position – Comparative Population Genomics of Southeastern Freshwater Mussels
A PhD position in comparative population genomics of southeastern freshwater mussels is available in Jeff Lozier’s lab (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flozierlab.ua.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C6baeff1e4e5e4f78549408d608211821%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636705335563773981&sdata=qWsu1CpLzIHlKB%2F9fe62Frc6tmCh1NrGAhmgv1dmhWg%3D&reserved=0) at the University of Alabama Department of Biological Sciences
(https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbsc.ua.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C6baeff1e4e5e4f78549408d608211821%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636705335563773981&sdata=CMWsFNHwP7HLP8cs4j3yV1TeUGyHsMnPBGcb5OvaYBk%3D&reserved=0) as part of a recently funded NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity project. We are looking to recruit a highly motivated PhD student to examine comparative population genetics of freshwater mussel communities in streams of the Mobile and Tennessee River basins, which is a major biodiversity hotspot for mussels and several other freshwater taxa.
The project will involve extensive high throughput sequencing of numerous populations and species (including whole genome and reduced representation sequencing), with the goal of understanding how population and species level processes relate to broader eco-evolutionary processes. More details relating to the study objectives can been found at the project website (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmussels.ua.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C6baeff1e4e5e4f78549408d608211821%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636705335563773981&sdata=%2BCZOCE4IzwilpBNZisB047QKluB9wAfGOVsyJ2T2Nwo%3D&reserved=0). The student will be expected to develop specific research questions relating to population, conservation, and landscape genetics within the context of these broader project objectives.
Applicants must have a strong academic record (GPA > 3.0), strong written and verbal communication skills, and a desire to build strong quantitative and data management skills. Experience in laboratory and computational analysis of modern genetic data is preferred. The student will work closely with a postdoc and another PhD student being simultaneously recruited by Carla Atkinson’s lab (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fatkinsonlab.ua.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C6baeff1e4e5e4f78549408d608211821%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636705335563773981&sdata=C%2BrPDCDZJpmU%2BAMqxga9nPGzg6o96URTntmBEgbZMjU%3D&reserved=0) at UA and with collaborators at the University of Mississippi, so an interest in working as part of a collaborative team is a must.
Interested applicants should send a (1) cover letter describing research experience and goals, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, (4) a writing example, and (5) contact information of 2-3 individuals familiar with research/academic performance to Jeff Lozier (jlozier@ua.edu). Start date is negotiable for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2019 semesters. Review of materials will start immediately.
Jeff Lozier
Associate Professor
Biological Sciences
The University of Alabama
Office 205-348-2754
jlozier@ua.edu | lozierlab.ua.edu