Postdoctoral Scholar - Adaptive Evolutionary Genomics

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POSITION SPECIFICS

The Hamilton Lab (http://jillahamilton.com/index.html) at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Scholar to contribute to funded research program aimed at studying the role of demography and selection to evolution in long-lived trees. The researcher will analyze full-genome resequencing data from green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a species native to North America that has naturalized in non-native Europe range to characterize the role demographic and genetic changes may have to the evolutionary trajectory of a species introduced to novel environments. This research will quantify the role demography, genetic variation, and selection to evolution within forest tree species, addressing critical hypotheses needed to manage evolutionary responses of trees in response to natural and anthropogenic change, with particular emphasis to potential applications to Emerald ash borer susceptibility and resistance. The post-doctoral position is highly interdisciplinary, with the potential to combine environmental data and phenotypic data alongside genome resequencing to identify regions of the genome that contribute disproportionately to adaptation to novel environments. The aims of the position will be tailored to the expertise of the successful applicant and complement the Hamilton Lab's broad interests in understanding the genomic basis of adaptation, the role of hybridization to adaptation, and the evolution of species barriers in forest tree systems.

The position requires a Ph.D. in forestry, evolutionary biology, population genomics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, or a related field. Applicants must be able to provide evidence that all requirements have been met for completion of the Ph.D. prior to the effective date of hire.

The postdoc will work closely with the PI, collaborators, and lab personnel to lead research in the lab and field and contribute to ongoing grant-writing activities. Familiarity with analyzing whole-genome resequencing data, demographic analyses, genotype-environment association analyses, and expertise using and trouble-shooting bioinformatic tools, as well as experience using Unix or Linux environments is required. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to analyze genomic, phenotypic and climatic datasets, lead preparation and publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, contribute to the preparation of grant proposals, present findings from the research project, and contribute to outreach associated with the project. In addition, there will be ample opportunity to pursue research questions besides those of the particular study. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to integrate across biological disciplines, identify and troubleshoot promising new methodologies independently, and use the appointment to develop and pursue novel, exciting questions.

You may have to operate a motor vehicle as part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check may be required in addition to standard background checks.

Preferred qualifications:

* Demonstrated expertise in evolutionary and ecological genomics

* Expertise in analysis of whole-genome sequencing datasets

* Programming for bioinformatics, biostatistics, and simulations

* Landscape genomics, Genotype-Environment Association analysis, Demographic modeling

* Excellent written and communication skills

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter describing research interests and experience, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references at https://hr.psu.edu/careers.

This position will be located at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park in State College, Pennsylvania. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Informal inquiries are welcome - contact Jill Hamilton (jvh6349@psu.edu)

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