We have a 3-year post doc position available for an evolutionary ecologist with strengths in population modelling and evolutionary theory.
*** Deadline 9th March *** Application Portal: http://bit.ly/1Kdbpkb *** Informal enquiries to Dylan Childs: [email protected] The position is part of a collaborative BBSRC LoLa funded project (http:// www.bgri.info) examining the evolution of multiple herbicide resistance (MHR) in Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass). The LoLa comprises five interlinked work packages studying MHR at scales from molecular genetics through to farm-scale modelling of the environmental consequences of resistance evolution and management. The consortium is led by Prof. Rob Edwards (University of Newcastle), with Co-investigators Dr Dylan Childs (University of Sheffield), Prof Rob Freckleton (University of Sheffield), Dr Paul Neve (Rothamsed Research) and Prof Ken Norris (Zoological Society of London). We are an internationally leading team of researchers with complementary expertise in the biotransformation of synthetic compounds, weed ecology and evolution, quantitative population biology, and environmental risk assessment. The role requires familiarity with eco-evolutionary theory and modelling, as well as working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. We are interested in developing both general and system- specific models for the evolution of resistance. Based at the University of Sheffield, the successful applicant will be responsible for modelling the eco-evolutionary dynamics of multiple resistance at the within- and among-field scales, both in our model black-grass system and more general contexts. The overarching question is, what are the genetic, life history and ecological factors that promote or constrain the evolution of MHR? This research will be used to: 1) determine the key drivers of MHR evolution across different agroecosystems; 2) generate predictions about local and regional patterns of resistance; and 3) act as a platform for other studies with the project collaborators. The University of Sheffield has strong commitment to science underpinning sustainable food production. The Department of Animal and Plant Sciences (APS) is one of the largest departments in the UK devoted to the study of whole organism biology, with 45 permanent academic staff, over 50 research fellows/associates and approximately 50 research students from different nationalities. The department contains the largest concentration of organismal biologists in the UK, and is ranked 5th in the UK (2014 REF results) for biology research with 70% of its research activity judged as world-leading or internationally excellent. The project is allied to a new translational research centre at the University of Sheffield, entitled Plant Production and Protection (P3). The main focus of this centre is to exploit knowledge from fundamental research in plant biology for development of innovative tools in sustainable crop production and protection.
