PhD Students Proposals
Selection of candidates for a PhD grant proposal to submit to the
Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology
We accept applicants for a PhD grant proposal to be submitted to the
Portuguese Foundation for the Science and Technology under the following
topics:
1. “A genome-wide sequencing study to characterize genes responsible for
the development and adaptation in Vertebrates”. Major phenotypic changes
in vertebrates (from mammals to fish), occurred by the evolution of
various gene products over the last half billion years. Understanding the
genetic basis of the diversification of development genes in vertebrates
can provide fundamental biological insight about species evolution,
ecological fitness, and genetic diseases.
2. “A molecular genomic approach to unravel the evolution of natural
toxins”. Gene families, which encode toxins, are found in many marine
animals (from deadly poisoning jellyfishes to sea snakes), yet there is
limited understanding of their evolution at the nucleotide level and the
evolutionary significance of their protein mutations. Understanding the
evolution of ecological specialization is important for making inferences
about the origins of natural toxins biodiversity.
3. “Global phylogeny and biogeography of cyanobacteria species”. It
is much debated whether microorganisms are easily dispersed
globally or whether they, like many macro-organisms, have historical
biogeographies. Recent findings using faster evolving genetic markers in
protozoa species revealed considerable genetic structure and suggested
that protest biodiversity may be significantly higher than previously
thought.
4. “Genomic diversity of proto-eukaryotes symbiosis”. Harvesting light to
produce energy and oxygen (photosynthesis) is the signature of all land
plants. This ability was co-opted from a precocious and ancient form of
life known as cyanobacteria. The most widespread cyanobacterial symbiosis
is that of plastids in eukaryotes that happened more than 2 billion
years ago. However, much more recent episodes of symbioses occurred
between cyanobacteria and eukaryotic hosts, both non-photosynthetic
(from marine sponges to ascidians) and photosynthetic (from diatoms to
the flowering plants) hosts. Characterizing the evolutionary mechanism
underlying such genetic cooperation is fundamental to understanding the
origin of genomic symbiosis.
5. “Genomic research on the chimerical origin of Eukaryotic
genomes”. Eukaryotic genomes are replete with genes of eubacterial
ancestry, namely from the Cyanobacteria, the Proteobacteria, and
the Thermoplasmatales. These signals correspond to distinct symbiotic
partners involved in eukaryote evolution: plastids, mitochondria, and the
elusive host lineage. Evaluating the evolutionary relationships between
such ancient relationships is important for making inferences about the
origins and diversification of life.
The granted candidates will have a monthly salary of 980 euros
and will develop their work at CIMAR, University of Porto, Portugal
(http://www.cimar.org/). The candidates should have a B.S. or Graduation
in Biology, Biochemistry or other related fields with a competitive score
(16 out of 20, or 15 plus a Master degree) and should have a strong
interest in developing research in Molecular Evolution, Genomics and
Population Genetics.
The candidates should include:
- Detailed curriculum vitae;
- Scanned copy of the Graduation title (and Master title if applicable).
Preference will be given to European (EU) citizens but other applicants
will also be considered.
The applications should be submitted till 21 May 2009 by email to Dr
Agostinho Antunes (aantunes[at]ncifcrf.gov)
Dr. Agostinho Antunes
Geneticist
Laboratory of Genomic Diversity - National Cancer Institute,
Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA;
Tel: 301-846-1299
Fax: 301-846-6327
e-mail: aantunes[at]ncifcrf.gov
In Portugal:
CIMAR, University of Porto
Rua dos Bragas, 177;
4050-123 Porto, Portugal;
Tel: (351) 22 3401 813
Fax: (351) 22 3390 608
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