As part of a new, collaborative NSF-funded research and training program in
the genomic ecology of coastal organisms, the University of Maine seeks to
hire a PhD student who will study genome-phenome relationships in natural
populations. The student will be expected to conduct genomic and
transcriptomic analyses towards understanding adaptation and fitness
associations related to salinity tolerance and kidney function in tidal
marsh sparrow species. The student will have the opportunity to conduct
field work during summer months with field crews in tidal marshes across
the Northeast US, from Maine to Virginia. Genomic analyses may include
whole-genome sequencing, candidate gene sequencing, gene expression
analyses, meta-barcoding, and microbiome characterization. The student will
be one of five PhD students working collaboratively on the research and
training program. All students will have the opportunity to work in
collaboration with a diverse team of investigators, graduate students, and
undergraduate students at both institutions.
This PhD student will be advised by Dr. Benjamin King (
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fumaine.edu%2Fbiomed%2Fhome%2Ffaculty%2Fbenjamin-king%2F&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7Ce9eaf0d3b2a84d4453db08d6a9280a71%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636882386790308407&sdata=mpF76XkXuBcSgyGHi%2BXn%2FTnrPFXeKPN5XDgP6Bf3p80%3D&reserved=0) through the
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Maine. The
student will work in collaboration with a diverse team of investigators,
graduate students, and undergraduate students at the Universities of New
Hampshire and Maine studying the ecological genomics and eco-evolutionary
feedback of adaptation in tidal marsh birds. The student will research
genes and pathways under selection in tidal marsh sparrow species with
greater salinity tolerance using comparative genomics, population genomics and
transcriptomics. The student will be based primarily in Orono, Maine during
the academic year, an hour to the ocean and an hour and a half to Maine’s
highest peak. A start date of June 2019 is strongly preferred, and the
candidate must start no later than September 2019.
The successful candidate must have a strong background in genetics and/or
bioinformatics. Preferred candidates will have demonstrated experience with
genetics, genomics, and/or bioinformatics. Consistent with our program
scope and to advance an integrated understanding of adaptation in nature,
we are especially interested in candidates who show promise to engage
intellectually across the diverse scales of genomes, phenomes, and
environmental feedbacks. Individuals who are intellectually curious,
responsible, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged
to apply. An M.S. in a related field is preferred, but qualified candidates
with extensive experiences will be considered regardless.
How to apply: Please send a cover letter describing your qualifications,
including your commitment to diversity and inclusion in collaborative
science, a curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, and the contact
information for at least three references to the contacts listed above for
each position for which you would like to be considered. Please use “
Ecological Genomics PhD Student Search†as the subject line of your email.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until the
positions are filled. A start date of June 2019 is strongly preferred, but
is negotiable depending on the position in question.
The Universities of Maine and New Hampshire Systems are both EEO/AA
employers, and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender
expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic
information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other
programs and activities. Please contact the Director of Equal Opportunity,
101 N. Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469 at 207-581-1226 (voice), TTY 711
(Maine Relay System), or equal.opportunity@maine.edu, or the Affirmative
Action and Equity Office, Thompson Hall 305, 105 Main Street, Durham, NH
03824-3547 at 603-862-2930 (voice), TTY: (603) 862-1527 • Relay NH: 7-1-1,
or affirmaction.equity@unh.edu with questions or concerns.
—
Benjamin L. King, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics
Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences
5735 Hitchner Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5735
207-581-2803
benjamin.l.king@maine.edu