University of Leuven - PhD studentship in Biological Sciences on Connectivity in marine flatfish populations The Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics (LBEG: bio.kuleuven.be/eeb/lbeg), Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, B invites applications for a 4-year PhD studentship recently awarded by the Research Foundation Vlaanderen and linked to the project FISHCONNECT. Background: The primary focus of the research project ISHCONNECT is to disentangle the influence of regulatory (oceanographic) and adaptive (biological) factors on connectivity in flatfish through an integrated empirical and modeling approach. Aims and objectives: The aim of the PhD project is to trace back the postlarval stages of four flatfishes to the spawning grounds with genetic and demographic tracing methods. At the moment a first PhD fellow has started work on the ecology and demography of postlarval flatfish. A third PhD fellow who will further develop an integrated hydrodynamical-biological model is also being recruited (see mumm.ac.be). We are looking for a multidisciplinary fellow with a background and interest in field and lab-based fish(eries) biology and genetics combining at least two of the following topics (evolution,population genomics, fish biology, modeling). The successful candidate will be involved with ship and shore based fieldwork, data collection, molecular/genetic methodology, morphometric and genetic data analysis and manuscript writing. Requirements and elegibility: Applicants are required to hold a MSc in Biological sciences, bio-engineering or related fields and excellent study records. The PhD fellow will work collaboratively with two other PhD fellows, exchanging ideas and skills during the course of the project. The PhD fellow will work in team with a senior scientist, a postdoc and graduate students at the KU Leuven. The project requires skills in (molecular) biology, biostatistics, modeling, data banking and IT. In addition to the primary research responsibilities, duties will include assisting and mentoring undergraduate students, some teaching in Bachelor courses and the organization and management of large datasets. Host details: Leuven is a pleasant and high-quality medium-sized town. The KU Leuven, founded in 1425 is the largest and most research intensive university of Belgium. LBEG focuses on the neutral and adaptive evolution of fish and their parasites. Relevant papers include Lacroix G., Maes G.E., Bolle L.J., Volckaert F.A.M. (2013) Modelling dispersal dynamics of the early life stages of a marine flatfish (Solea solea L.). Journal of Sea Research 75: 00-00; Nielsen E.E., Cariani A. Mac Aoidh E., Maes G.E., ... , Diopere E., Volckaert F.A.M. Waples R.S., FishPopTrace consortium, Carvalho G.R., (2012) Gene-associated markers provide tools for tackling IUU fishing and false eco-certification. Nature Communications 3:851; Volckaert F.A.M. (2012) (Flat)fish stocks in an ecosystem and evolutionary perspective. Journal of Sea Research 75: 19-32; Cuveliers E.L., Volckaert F.A.M., Rijnsdorp A.D., Larmuseau M.H.D., Maes G.E. (2011). Temporal genetic stability and high effective population size despite fisheries-induced life-history trait evolution in the North Sea sole. Molecular Ecology 20: 3555-3568. Interested candidates should e-mail Prof. Filip Volckaert ([email protected]) for informal inquiries. Please apply formally at the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School https://phd.kuleuven.be/set with a motivation letter (past research projects and interests), study transcript, two letters of reference and CV by 08 July 2013. Interviews are scheduled in the week of 15 July 2013. The expected start is 1 September 2013. Filip Volckaert
Posted on: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:30:02 +0000
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