Austria Jobs 2009: PhD Positions in Population Genetics at VU-Wien

It is well understood that natural populations carry a wealth of molecular variation. While it has been assumed for a long time that most of this variation is neutral, there is increasing evidence that a large proportion is functionally different and thus subjected to different evolutionary forces.

After the first phase in the genomics projects, which were focusing on the sequencing of one genome for each species, the emphasis has now shifted to the genome wide characterization of natural variation. In particular the new generation of sequencing technology (454, Solexa etc.) is contributing to a hitherto unprecedented wealth of information about naturally occurring sequence variation. Nevertheless, the advances in cataloging natural variation are not matched with our advances in understanding the functional differences among the naturally occurring alleles.

In the PhD program Population Genetics, we are aiming to train a new generation of scientists that is able to deal with this new challenge. The institute consists experimental as well as theoretical research groups spaning a wide range of the expertise from new sequencing technologies to bioinformatics to functional testing.

Available PhD projects
* Functional characterization of copy number variation in Drosophila (Schlötterer group)
* Mechanisms and evolution of Drosophila life history and aging (Flatt group)
* Probabilistic modelling of intra- and interspecific sequence evolution (Kosiol group)
* Genetic basis of morphological variation in Drosophila (McGregor group)
* Measuring gene flow between hare species by massive parallel sequencing (Suchentrunk group)

The PhD program is open to applicants from all nationalities. The VMU Wien is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from women and handicapped persons.
Applicants should hold a degree in life sciences or related fields with the equivalent of 300 ECTS; outstanding candidates may be considered with less than 300 ECTS
We are seeking motivated candidates that are interested in pursuing a PhD in an internationally competitive research environment

The official guidelines of the PhD program are available here.

The application package consists of:
* Motivation letter (Please state for which project and research group you are applying and why.)
* CV
* Certificates (university degrees, special qualifications)
* Indication of proficiency in English
* Two letters of recommendation
* Names and contact details of two academic references

The application package should be emailed as a single pdf (<1Mb) to Carolin Kosiol, carolin.kosiol@vu-wien.ac.at Only complete applications will be considered.

Time line
1.4.2009 announcement of the 2009 call
15.5.2009 deadline for receipt of applications
1.6.2009 announcement of short listed candidates
15.6.-19.6.2009 interview of short-listed candidates
1.7.2009 positions will be offered to selected candidates
1.8.2009 deadline for joining the PhD program
1.10.2009 start of PhD

website link:
http://i122server.vu-wien.ac.at/pop/PhD/application.html
http://i122server.vu-wien.ac.at/pop/PhD/projects.html