Training Opportunities
Post-Doctoral and Graduate Student Opportunities in Conservation Genomics
A national-scale collaborative research program on caribou conservation genomics is seeking an experienced PDF and graduate students. Genome characterization of Canadian caribou will identify the partitioning of important functional biodiversity among Designatable Units (DUs) under the Committee on the Status for Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and assess adaptive signatures within and among caribou forms across the landscape. These positions will be supported by the current 40 whole-genome sequences of caribou representing diverse subspecies, ecotypes and populations, with additional genomes being planned for sequencing, with development of targeted caribou-specific loci for Population Genomic surveys of a long-term database of samples (estimated at 40,000 across Canada). The large-scale national network supporting these positions, under the overall direction of Dr. Paul Wilson and Dr. Micheline Manseau, include partnerships with other universities including the University of Toronto, McMaster University and the University of Manitoba; Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Parks Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (OMNRF) and other provincial (e.g. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) and territorial jurisdictions (Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut); wildlife management boards and indigenous communities (e.g. the Sahtu Wildlife Management Board; and industry such as MB Hydro and SK Power.
The following positions and areas of research interest are being recruited:
A Post-doctoral fellow (PDF) with advanced experience in bioinformatics to focus on areas such as the reconstruction of the genomic history of caribou and comparative adaptive genomics of caribou ecotypes. The PDF will be expected to take a leadership role in coordinating a team of graduate and undergraduate students and liaise with project partners. This PDF will be funded in part by a Trent University NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) grant in Advanced Environmental Technologies (ADVENT). The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Multiple PhD students are being recruited for questions relating to of Landscape Genomics/Spatial Structure and Adaptive Genomics. MSc students are being recruited for developments in optimizing Population Genomic assays using genomic-derived markers against non-invasively collected specimens.
Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and names and contact information for three references.
Please submit applications to:
Dr. Paul J. Wilson
Biology Department, Trent University
1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J7B8
Phone 705-748-1011 ext. 7259
Website: www.wilsoncrcresearch.ca
Email: pawilson@trentu.ca
or
Dr. Micheline Manseau
Landscape Science and Technology Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S5R1
Phone: 613-998-7385