Assistant Researcher position in the Unckless Lab at the University
of Kansas

The Unckless lab at the University of Kansas invites applications
for an assistant researcher that will focus on the evolution of immune
peptides. We recently found that several Drosophila antimicrobial peptides
show signatures of balancing selection (the adaptive maintenance of
multiple alleles). This position would involve dissecting the mechanisms
of balancing selection on these peptides using a combination of approaches
including population genetics (examining signatures of balancing selection
on immune genes), genetics (allele replacement using CRISPR/Cas9 genome
editing with subsequent fitness and infection assays), microbiology
(minimum inhibitory concentrations, zone of inhibition assays) and
biochemistry (structural and functional studies using circular dichroism,
NMR, etc.). The goal is to understand how balancing selection maintains
alleles from the ecological to the biochemical level.

The successful candidate should have experience in some of the approaches
listed above and would be able to develop skills in some of the other
approaches. A bachelor¢s degree in biology or a related field is
required.

The Unckless Lab studies evolutionary genetics in general with a focus
on the evolution of immunity and selfish genetic elements (meiotic
drive). The University of Kansas is home to both the Department of
Molecular Biosciences and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology and members of the lab interact directly with other labs
spanning biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, genomics, evolution and
ecology. Lawrence, Kansas is a vibrant college town with plenty of good
food, cultural events and a wonderful downtown area. The cost of living
is very reasonable. We are about 45 minutes from Kansas City.

For more details including required and preferred
qualifications and directions about how to apply,
please visithttps://employment.ku.edu/staff/15470BR
<https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.edu%2Fstaff%2FXXXXXBR&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cpamela.diggle%40uconn.edu%7C1a416d9099a04e0ccf6908d72b9dafd8%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637025828571069792&amp;sdata=AXklqjk%2FEBZz11fAgVTGq0AZwkZDmAIKEKVBxHrK4IQ%3D&amp;reserved=0> . Inquires concerning the
postiion can be made to Rob Unckless (unckless@ku.edu). Initial review
of applications will begin on Septembet 6, 3019.  The position will
begin in September 2019.

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of
race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry,
disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status,
parental status, retaliation, gender identity, gender expression and
genetic information in the University¢s programs and activities. The
following persons has been designated to handle inquiries regarding
the non-discrimination policies and are the Title IX  Coordinators for
their respective campuses:  Director of the Office of Institutional
Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development
Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY
(for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses; Director,
Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway,
Fairway, KS  66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina,
and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).

“Unckless, Robert L” <unckless@ku.edu>