[HELICONIUS] jobs: POSTDOCS in butterfly EvoDevo and Pop Gen

[Jim Mallet]

Begin forwarded message:
From: Chris Jiggins <c.jiggins at ZOO.CAM.AC.UK>
Date: 25 April 2007 16:55:40 BDT

Applicants are invited for two five-year Leverhulme-funded postdoctoral 
positions in the Zoology Department at the University of Cambridge.  This 
is an exciting opportunity to study the developmental and genetic basis of 
dramatic phenotypic adaptations, namely the mimetic colour patterns of 
Heliconius butterflies.  These butterflies are an excellent model system 
for studying the genetic basis of natural adaptation and diversity, in part 
because mimicry between species means that adaptive peaks are well defined, 
and that the same phenotypic adaptations have arisen multiple times.  We 
have recently shown that the same regions of the genome are involved in 
mimicry in three different species, H. melpomene, H. erato and H. 
numata.  In addition these same genes are also responsible for species 
level divergence and contribute directly to speciation.  This project aims 
to develop our understanding of phenotypic adaptation and developmental 
evolution in Heliconius.

Position 1.
EVO-DEVO: Gene regions controlling major phenotypic switches in colour 
pattern are being cloned and sequenced.  This now offers an opportunity to 
study the function of natural allelic variants that have major phenotypic 
effects in development of pattern and colour.  This position will develop 
functional assays for candidate genes and study their expression in 
different races of Heliconius melpomene.  The postholder will need to 
develop techniques for RNAi knockdown experiments and perhaps also germline 
transformation in these butterflies in order to carry out functional 
assays.  In addition the postholder will study expression patterns of 
candidate loci by rt-PCR, in situ hybridisation and/or antibody 
stains.  The candidate should have a keen interest in evolutionary 
developmental biology and adaptation, and should have experience in 
relevant experimental techniques such as antibody staining, rt-PCR and 
genetic transformation of insects.

Position 2.
EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS: Heliconius offer a unique opportunity to study 
sequence variation around genes under strong selection in natural 
populations. The second position will study natural variation in Heliconius 
melpomene populations around the genes controlling colour pattern.  The 
position will also involve fine scale linkage mapping of further patterning 
genes in mapping families that have already been obtained, and the 
identification of quantitative trait loci responsible for modifying the 
expression of major pattern elements. The successful applicant should have 
experience in the study of molecular evolution and a keen interest in the 
genetics of adaptation.

The two postdocs will join a dynamic group working on Heliconius 
butterflies at the Department of Zoology in the University of 
Cambridge.  The department also includes other labs that offer 
opportunities for collaboration, including that of Prof. Michael Akam and 
Prof. Pat Simpson working on insect evo-devo, and Dr Nick Mundy and Dr Bill 
Amos working on evolutionary genetics.  A new insect rearing facility is 
due to be built by the end of 2008 and will provide state of the art 
facilities to replace existing greenhouses for stock maintenance.  The 
project is funded by Leverhulme and forms part of a collaboration between 
the University of Cambridge, Prof. Richard ffrench-Constant at the 
University of Exeter (Cornwall Campus), Dr Jane Rogers and Dr Sean Humphray 
at the Sanger Institute, Dr Owen McMillan at NC State, who is carrying out 
a parallel project on H. erato.

Selected recent publications:
  Joron, M, et al. 2006 A Conserved Supergene Locus Controls Colour Pattern 
Diversity in Heliconius Butterflies Plos Biology. Vol. 4, No. 10, e303
  Mavárez, J., Salazar, C., Bermingham, E., Salcedo, C., Jiggins, CD., 
Linares, M. 2006 Speciation by hybridization in Heliconius butterflies 
Nature. 441: 868-871.
  Joron, M. Jiggins, CD., Papanicolaou, A. McMillan, WO. 2006 Heliconius 
wing patterns: an evo-devo model for understanding phenotypic diversity 
Heredity. 97: 157-167..

In the first instance please contact me (c.jiggins at zoo.cam.ac.uk) for 
further details.

One of these posts will become a Senior Research Associate position which, 
subject to SRA status being established, an agreed salary would be 
backdated from the start of the appointment.
For a standard application form and further details please see our website: 
http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/zooone/administration/vacancy.html where the 
standard application form and Further Particulars can be obtained. 
Completed application forms (Form PD18) together with a CV should be 
returned by the deadline, 30 June 2007 to The Departmental Administrator 
at: The Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ or via 
email: Reception at zoo.cam.ac.uk

Salary: £24,402-£31,840

* Limit of tenure: These two positions are funded for five years by the 
Leverhulme Trust.

Closing date: 30 June 2007. Planned Interview dates: Probably July 2007.

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Chris Jiggins
Department of Zoology
University of Cambridge
Downing Street
Cambridge CB2 3EJ
Tel: (+44)(0)1223 769021
Fax: (+44)(0)1223 336676
Home: 01223 578 371
http://www.heliconius.org/