Postdoc – Plant Phylogenomics – University of Arizona

A two-year postdoctoral position is available in my lab to work on a large collaborative project on genome evolution in Oryza (rice and its wild relatives). The project’s PI is Rod Wing at the University of Arizona, and collaborators include myself (Mike Sanderson), Manyuan Long (University of Chicago), Carlos Machado (University of Maryland), Scott Jackson (Purdue University), Doreen Ware (Cold Spring Harbor), and Detlef Weigel (Max Planck Institute, Tubingen). The project’s goals focus on leveraging new genomic data sets at several scales to study diverse aspects of genome evolution, ranging from the origin of new genes, diversification of gene families, population genomic analyses, and reconstructing gene and species trees (phylogenomics). The postdoc’s responsibilities will be to spearhead the phylogenomic analyses in my lab. These promise to be a rich analytical challenge given the rampant discordance in gene trees already discovered in Oryza and the complications of gene flow, domestication, and frequent polyploidization. The candidate should have extensive experience in phylogenetic analysis of molecular sequence data, and one or more of the following interests or experience: population genetics/coalescent theory; algorithms/bioinformatics experience; experience in plant systematics, especially in taxa with closely related species. Opportunities for close collaboration with other co-PIs in the project are extensive and will be encouraged.

The position is in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona, with a starting salary of $45,000/yr, including full benefits. It is potentially renewable for up to 3 years. Computational resources in my lab include a high performance computing cluster, web servers, database storage server, a viz wall for scientific visualization, and dedicated system administration support. The Department has a strong program in evolutionary genomics, including an ongoing NSF IGERT training program, and a number of faculty working in that area: Jeremiah Hackett, Matt Sullivan, Michael Nachman, Noah Whiteman, Mike Worobey and Mike Barker (joining January 2011).

The position is open until filled and is available immediately. Please send a CV and a brief statement of research interests and experience to me at the address below, and arrange to have two letters of reference sent (e-mail is fine). A formal application will also be required through the university’s HR website (http://www.hr.arizona.edu). For further information, please contact

Mike Sanderson, Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
sanderm [at] email.arizona [.] edu