KEY WORDS: Later-stage speciation, molecular/population genetics, insect behavior
POSITION: I am seeking to recruit two PhD students interested in studying speciation, and specifically, in the processes that explain why reproductive barrier effects accumulate between populations and lead to stronger overall reproductive isolation. Please see the references listed below for studies our lab has published on this topic. My lab group is in the Department of Biology (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fas.tufts.edu%2Fbiology%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985853535%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=48e5yCu9fwO8Xh2XdIRsRReyDKJo6kaiYXtGwdVeLe8%3D&reserved=0) at Tufts University, located in Medford, MA. We use a combination of field studies, laboratory experimentation, and bioinformatics analyses to study the genetic, environmental, and demographic factors shaping diversity.
SUPPORT: Our department is committed to supporting students throughout their dissertation research. Students admitted to the PhD program receive full tuition scholarships, a competitive stipend that includes summer pay, and health coverage, all guaranteed for six years. The stipend is supported by working as a teaching assistant, or in many cases, by paid research assistantships. More information about applications, including due dates and aid, can be found here:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fas.tufts.edu%2Fbiology%2Fprospective-students%2Fgraduate-admissions-and-aid&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985867958%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Cxyaxg5iTq1eSjxe4q5zk%2F354RdvVelZuqLTjyC%2Bh58%3D&reserved=0
ELIGIBILITY: Most critically, you will have a curious mind and a willingness to seek answers to questions that lack adequate explanations. Students must also have an ability to work with others and a strong sense of humor, both of which are needed to make science fun and worthwhile. A background or experience in molecular biology, evolution, or ecology is preferred, as is prior research experience. Highly relevant experience includes the application of molecular techniques or the collection/analysis of genome data. Enthusiasm for insects and field work is a big plus. Positions are open to domestic and international students. Students from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, including students with disabilities, from geographically underserved jurisdictions, and BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT: PhD training with me can facilitate multiple career directions. Students will be mentored to understand jobs in private industry, academia (research/teaching intensive), non-profit organizations, and governmental sectors. I have ties to each of these different groups, allowing for exploration through informal interviews and networking. Tufts has numerous existing activities and resources to support a vibrant environment for training and development, including programming on grant writing, academic and industrial career development, mentoring, and responsible research.
REQUIRED PRE-APPLICATION: Before November 15, send an email to erik.dopman (at) tufts.edu and include, as attachments, the following two documents:
1. Using no more than 1 page, describe your current research interests
and how your prior experiences and training have prepared you for a
PhD (ideally, on the topic of speciation).
2. Your resume or CV.
REFERENCES:
1) Dopman, E. B., Shaw, K. L., Servedio, M., Butlin, R. K. and
Smadja, C., 2024. Coupling of barriers to gene exchange: Causes and
consequences. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, pp.1-28. doi:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1101%2Fcshperspect.a041432&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985876427%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3%2Blwg9J0G79NghgTroY5H%2B1Jt0ijXg7CRzFZuhbsFwM%3D&reserved=0
2) Kunerth, H.D., Bogdanowicz, S.M., Searle, J.B., Harrison, R.G., Coates,
B.S., Kozak, G.M. and Dopman, E.B., 2022. Consequences of coupled barriers
to gene flow for the build-up of genomic differentiation. Evolution,
76(5), pp.985-1002. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1111%2Fevo.14466&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985881421%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HfyihKjqgwy8ydV7aXUlCe3R3Yt9BHj8IpU5Q79e8Pg%3D&reserved=0
3) Unbehend, M., Kozak, G.M., Koutroumpa, F., Coates, B.S., Dekker,
T., Groot, A.T., Heckel, D.G. and Dopman, E.B., 2021. bric brac
controls sex pheromone choice by male European corn borer moths. Nature
Communications, 12(1), p.2818. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1038%2Fs41467-021-23026-x&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985885834%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=C6xTpLsBpZhR0MqirJs4XHlibvBOFaRp2%2BXuY9gDInM%3D&reserved=0
4) Kozak, G.M., Wadsworth, C.B., Kahne, S.C., Bogdanowicz, S.M.,
Harrison, R.G., Coates, B.S. and Dopman, E.B., 2019. Genomic basis of
circannual rhythm in the European corn borer moth. Current Biology,
29(20), pp.3501-3509. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1016%2Fj.cub.2019.08.053&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985890234%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oZ2e3kXJ40%2FnubX7%2B1C%2FHsdFRnfVfVO3IbcLJ%2FD0Gr4%3D&reserved=0
5) Dopman, E.B., Robbins, P.S. and Seaman, A., 2010. Components
of reproductive isolation between North American pheromone
strains of the European corn borer. Evolution, 64(4),
pp.881-902. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1111%2Fj.1558-5646.2009.00883.x&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C78efd479467a439fafbf08dcd6d2fe9d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638621448985894598%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=smAMsI9rWOTDeTY6buFGXvdKi9kNMYRIVdAeZp%2BD428%3D&reserved=0
CONTACT: Erik Dopman with questions at erik.dopman (at) tufts.edu