A research group led by dr Małgorzata Pilot at the Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences is looking for candidates for a PhD position. The research group specialises in on mammalian evolutionary genomics, and the PhD project will be focused on the evolutionary consequences of hybridisation between representatives of the genus Canis. The position is available for four years, with the start date of 1st of October 2020. The research group is based at the Research Station of the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Gdańsk – Górki Wschodnie, and maintains strong links with the main research facilities of the MIZ in Warsaw.
Work description
The scope of work is as follows:
- Laboratory work to prepare DNA for the SNP genotyping and Next Generation Sequencing (including DNA extraction and quantification, preparation of libraries, operation of the Pacific Biosciences sequencer)
- Population genetic analyses of the data produced to characterize the hybridization patterns
- Preparation of research papers describing the study results and contribution of the work on research papers as a team member
- Participation in lectures and other activities being part of the PhD studies curriculum
Requirements
- MSc degree in biological sciences or a related area, awarded or to be awarded before October 2020
- Good theoretical knowledge of population genetics
- Experience with molecular genetics labwork and the analysis of DNA sequence data
- Good knowledge of English
- Knowledge of programming will be an advantage
Research environment
The research at the MIZ is focused on a broad range of themes in animal biology, including systematics, biogeography, evolutionary biology, ecology and population genetics. Małgorzata Pilot’s research group is part of the Laboratory of the Molecular and Biometric Techniques led by Prof. Wieslaw Bogdanowicz, grouping researchers focused on population genetics, phylogeography and evolutionary genomics of a broad range of animal taxa. MIZ laboratories contain modern equipment for genomic analyses, including Pacific Biosciences RSII long-read sequencer and Illumina MiSeq System. The state-of-the-art ancient DNA laboratory carries out work on mammalian palaeogenetics. The Museum’s zoological collection is among the largest and most valuable in Europe.
Study conditions
The PhD student will be based in the Research Station of the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Gdansk. The PhD studentship will commence on the 1st October 2020 and is expected to be completed with the thesis submission within 4 years. A tax-free stipend is available for the 4 years of the PhD studies and is not extendable. The stipend is sufficient to cover a life expenses of a single person and assures a good standard of life in Poland. The successful candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student in the Bioplanet Doctoral School of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The School does not charge tuition fees. The School provides obligatory and optional classes for PhD students, which are run in English. Travelling from Gdansk to Warsaw will be required to attend the classes. The classes are scheduled so as to minimize the number of travels required.
Documents required in the application
- MSc degree certificate, or a document confirming your enrollment in a MSc programme together with a letter from the MSc supervisor stating the expected completion date
- Curriculum vitae including the list of publications and/or manuscripts in preparation, with the following statement provided at the end and signed:
“I give my consent to the processing of personal data provided in my application documents by the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS for the purpose of the recruitment process, pursuant to the Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1000) and in agreement with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation; L 119 from 04.05.2016)”.
Applications that do not include this statement will not be considered.
- Motivation letter (maximum one A4 page)
- Contact details of two persons who can be contacted for references.
These documents should be sent to the project supervisor, Dr Małgorzata Pilot (Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.) no later than 4 June 2020. The title of the message should be “Application for a PhD position in canid genomics”. Informal inquiries can be also addressed to Małgorzata Pilot.
The candidates will be assessed based on the information in the submitted documents. The shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which will be carried out via Skype in mid-June. The selected candidate will be requested to submit the application to the Doctoral School and attend the oral entry exam (via Skype or in person).
