Looking for a motivated student for a PhD project focusing on multi-species landscape epigenomics. This is a funded position in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, with a minimum salary of $25,917/year for 5 years. The start date is expected to be either January or September 2025, but it’s negotiable. Previous experience with genomic data or bioinformatics (Linux and R) is advantageous.
DNA methylation is a potential mechanism for phenotypic plasticity and can respond to environmental changes like climate change. Different populations living in various environments may accumulate epigenetic differences over generations, which could eventually lead to genetic divergence due to the mutagenic nature of DNA methylation.
We’ll study DNA methylation variation due to climate changes and its connection with genetic variation. We’ve conducted whole genome methylation sequencing for 80 lake whitefish and 80 brook charr from eight sampling locations across a climatic gradient in Hudson Bay and James Bay. These data, combined with environmental and whole genome sequencing data, will help us explore the interactions among DNA methylation, the genome, and environmental variation in a natural system.
The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. Clare Venney and Dr. Jean-Sébastien Moore. They’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to upcoming fieldwork, such as work around Banff and Jasper National Park. Interested candidates should send a CV, unofficial transcripts, and a one-page cover letter expressing their interest in the position to venney@ualberta.ca by July 1st, 2024. For any inquiries, please contact Clare Venney, Incoming Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences.
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