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PostDoc in Genomics of Convergent Insect Lineages

Start: July 2025 (negotiable) for 2 years
Application deadline: March 10, 2025
Where: Biology Centre in České Budějovice - Czechia
Lab and PI: Laboratory of Insect Symbiosis (Aleš Buček)

Organisms frequently evolve similar adaptations in response to similar environments. Do these organisms follow parallel or unique (lineage-specific) trajectories? Is macroevolution at the molecular level deterministic or predictable under certain circumstances? We lack answers to these questions due to the scarcity of comparative genomic studies on massively multiply convergent organismal groups.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow who will dare to tackle these questions by employing a model system consisting of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) that independently adapted more than fifteen times to live in symbiosis with termites.

The successful candidate will apply comparative genomic methods to investigate the extent, and the timescale of parallel genome evolution associated with repeated transitions to parasitic lifestyle. They will have a head start since the genomic sequence datasets covering >5 independent origins of termitophily in Aleocharinae have already been generated or are currently being sequenced. The candidate is encouraged to expand upon this research direction and will have research resources to do so.

We require
• curiosity and enthusiasm about insect molecular evolution
• motivation and ability to lead a research project
• PhD degree in biology, bioinformatics, or related fields
• experience in comparative genomics with proven track record

We offer
• stimulating research environment of an international team (Colombian, British, Danish, Indian, Czech) focused on macroevolution of termites and their parasites
• living environment of a green campus within the most bicycle-friendly city in Czechia
• starting monthly net salary based on previous experience ~ 1,500-1,600 EUR (~ 120% of avg. net salary in the region, living cost is lower than in western Europe)

We encourage candidates to prepare a research proposal for independent funding before or during the Postdoc. The recommended schemes include Marie Curie fellowship, EMBO fellowship, JSPS (for Japanese candidates only), and Postdoc individual fellowship (by Czech Science Foundation). The candidate will receive support and feedback during the proposal planning and writing.

Apply by sending a single pdf including a motivation letter (~ 1 page), CV, and contact information for two reference persons (one of them preferably a previous supervisor) to Aleš Buček (ales.bucek@entu.cas.cz). Inquiries for further details are welcome.

The above as PDF.

Currently no open call BUT inquiries from motivated candidates eager to apply for their funding are very much welcome - please contact Aleš.

We have a long list of projects just waiting for young researchers. The range of methods is broad and spans data analysis and coding, experimental work in molecular genetics laboratory, and fieldwork. The project topics include evolutionary study of termites and termitophilopus rove beetles using bioinformatic analysis of our unpublished phylogenetic and genomic data, 2) study of the convergent phenotypic adaptations to termitophily using X-ray imaging methods and comparative morphological analysis, or 3) rove beetle (Staphylinidae) biodiversity discovery using specimen collections and fieldwork.