UIllinois.FishEvolutionGenomics

The Biodiversity Genomics Lab of the Illinois Natural History Survey (Tan
Lab), is seeking to recruit a M.S. or Ph.D. graduate student interested
in fish evolution and genomics to start in Fall semester of 2020. The
lab’s theme is in applying genomic techniques to understanding fish
biodiversity. Most projects in the lab include studying macroevolutionary
patterns, trait evolution, genetic-phenotypic correlations, and
diversification of fishes, primarily focusing on diverse fish groups
like catfishes and cypriniforms (i.e. carps and minnows). Projects
in the lab can apply a variety of methods including transcriptomics,
phylogenomics, comparative phylogenetic methods, genomics, population
genomics, bioinformatics, and morphological studies including museum
specimens. Experience with molecular labwork (specifically DNA/RNA
extraction) and bioinformatics are desirable, though not required. For
more information on the research occurring in the lab, see this page:
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmiltontan.github.io%2Fresearch%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cpamela.diggle%40uconn.edu%7Ccc5fcf691c7b41c13dc908d6f487a263%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636965260718937986&sdata=Ou8%2FiPkkRjdozzntJLB3HQdQfnUugNSndNC2XKIojos%3D&reserved=0

The University of Illinois is home to a strong collection of
faculty researching ecology and evolution in the Department of
Animal Biology and the School of Integrative Biology. The student
may enroll as a graduate student with either the University
of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Animal Biology,
soon to be the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
(http://sib.illinois.edu/animalbiology/graduate_admissions) or the
interdisciplinary Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology
(http://peec.illinois.edu/prospective/pre_application). Champaign-Urbana
has a diverse, affordable, micro-urban community, are great college towns,
and are close to three major cities including Chicago. Learn more about
Champaign-Urbana here: http://www.yourewelcomecu.com/cu-community/

The Illinois Natural History Survey, is a part of the Prairie Research
Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one
of the highest ranked public universities in the country. Since 1858, the
Illinois Natural History Survey has been the guardian and recorder of the
biological resources of Illinois¡Xthe state¡¦s biological memory. With
a staff of over 200 scientists and technicians, it is recognized as
the premier natural history survey in the nation. The Illinois Natural
History Survey¡¦s Biological Collections include more than 9.5 million
specimens housed in eleven separate collections, including the most
complete record of Illinois biota anywhere, as well as having global
geographic coverage for many groups. The fish collection alone houses over
1 million specimens and ranks within the top 15 largest in North America,
providing an excellent resource for research into fish biodiversity.

Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Milton Tan
<miltont@illinois.edu> with a brief statement of their research interests,
experience, and accomplishments and a CV. Application deadlines for Animal
Biology and PEEC programs are as early as December 1st 2019. Interested
applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Milton Tan directly prior to
the application deadline.

Milton Tan, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Scientist in Biodiversity Genomics
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“Tan, Milton” <miltont@illinois.edu>