Postdoc in Thermosensory Evolution
Queen Mary University of London, UK

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About the Project:

How do sensory systems adapt to novel thermal environments? The
postdoc will lead a research project to investigate the evolution of
temperature perception and thermotaxis across Drosophila species. Like
many animal taxa, Drosophilids inhabit diverse habitats and can adapt
to diverse temperature environments. This project aims to understand how
evolutionary changes in sensory neurons and thermoreceptors contribute to
these adaptations. This project will use closely related species pairs
(D. santomea/D. yakuba and D. takahshii/D. lutescens) in which parallel
preferences for cool temperatures have evolved in parallel. The postdoc
will develop neurogenic tools in these species and use them to study
evolutionary changes in thermoperception and to relate the differences
to beahvioural changes.

The position is for 4 years, supported by a Leverhulme Project Grant.

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About You:

Candidates will hold a PhD in neurobiology, genetics, evolution, biology,
or a related field. Candidates will need to have experience in at least
one of the following: fly genetics, transgenics/CRISPR approaches,
neurophysiology, comparative/evolutionary biology.

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About the Lab:

The Arguello Lab (https://arguellolab.org) focuses on understanding
the genetic and cellular bases of sensory evolution. What are the
rapid changes that underlie differences in the way species perceive
the world? Our approach is interdisciplinary and we combine wet and
dry lab techniques to bridge evolutionary genomics, neurogenetics, and
behavioural biology. The model organisms that we study are Drosophila
species that come from diverse ecologies from around the globe.

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About QMUL:

Queen Mary University of London is a research-intensive university and a
Russell Group member. The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is
one of the UK's elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research
Excellence Framework. It offers a dynamic multi-disciplinary research
environment and hosts approximately 180 PhD students working on projects
in the biological sciences. Our students and postdocs have access to a
variety of research facilities/platforms supported by experienced staff,
as well as a range of support services.

Genomics is a particular focus within the School, with specific
strengths in evolutionary genomics, population genomics, epigenomics,
evo-devo, and functional genomics. The Biology Department hosts its
own genomic facility and has recently developed a Research Centre
on the theme: The Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics
(https://www.seresearch.qmul.ac.uk/cefg/).

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Contact & Application: 

Informal inquires can be addressed to Roman Arguello:
r.arguello@qmul.ac.uk

To see the full advert details and to apply formally, please go to:
https://qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/appcentre-ext/brand-4/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/3/opp/8717-Postdoctoral-Research-Associate/en-GB

Roman Arguello
Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics
School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Mile End Road, Fogg Building 6.14a
arguellolab.org

Roman Arguello <r.arguello@qmul.ac.uk>

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