Applicants are invited for:

PhD position - Visualizing Human Ancestry using Genomic Data

The DNA sequencing revolution has led to the production of an unprecedented quantity of data on human ancestry and promises the advent of "personal genomics". We are looking for an individual with a strong quantitative training and perhaps a dash of visual flair to develop  statistical tools that represent relationships between individuals and populations based on genetic data. The goal is to provide historically and demographically informative summaries that reflect the mosaic nature of human ancestry as well as differences amongst groups. Applications include medical genetics, studies of human population history, comparative demography and science communication.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig represents a unique environment for this research. As well as sequencing the genome of Neandertals and other ancient hominids, a variety of projects seek to characterize diversity in human and ape populations. See http://www.eva.mpg.de/genetics/.  This project is part of an ongoing a collaboration between Daniel Falush and Simon Myers (University of Oxford http://www.stats.ox.ac.uk/~myers/) to develop statistical genetic methods for ancestry reconstruction.

Talented and enthusiastic candidates with a degree in any strongly quantitative discipline (e.g. Maths, Physics, Computer Science) will be considered. Particularly advantageous would be a knowledge of Markov chains, modern computationally intensive statistical methods, etc. Good programming ability is a major plus as is involvement in informatics projects with a visual component. Knowledge of evolutionary biology or population genetics would be advantageous but is not required. Please contact daniel_falush[>>> Please replace the brackets with an AT sign! <<<]eva.mpg.de to apply and for further information.

Postdoctoral position:  Genomic analysis of recombination and adaptation in bacteria

"Why do organisms have sex?" is a central question in evolutionary biology but one that has been difficult to study empirically. Bacteria and Archea represent the bulk of living organisms and import DNA from other strains into their genomes by diverse mechanisms. This project will use the 1000s of bacterial genomes that are becoming available to characterize the role of this recombination in adaptation. The project will make use of statistical genetic algorithms ClonalFrame and ClonalOrigin to identify individual recombination events and the genetic changes they introduce.

The project is a collaboration between Daniel Falush (Leipzig), Xavier Didelot (University of Oxford) and Eduardo Rocha (Pasteur Institute, Paris). The applicant will be based at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig which is home to a diverse group of researchers interested in the genetics of adaptation. See: http://www.eva.mpg.de/genetics

Desirable skills include knowledge of modern computationally intensive statistics, programming in C or C++,  bioinformatics ability, knowledge of evolutionary biology and population genetics.  However, applications are welcomed from any candidate with good quantitative skills and enthusiasm for the subject area. The initial period of employment is 2 years , with the possibility of extension.
Please contact daniel_falush[>>> Please replace the brackets with an AT sign! <<<]eva.mpg.de to apply and for further information.

Postdoc position in computational biology

We are currently seeking highly qualified and motivated post-doctoral researchers with experience in computational biology. The institute has access to a wide variety of biological material from extant and extinct primates. Current projects cover a wide range of genomic analysis designed to detect and describe human uniqueness. These projects include genome sequencing of the Neandertal and bonobo and comparative expression studies in great apes.

Competitive applicants will have relevant quantitative biology experience and technical knowledge including programming experience. Demonstrated scientific creativity and familiarity with high-troughput sequencing data is a plus.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and names of references to:

Svante Pääbo
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Deutscher Platz 6
D-04103 Leipzig

The language of the institute is English.

For more information contact Svante Pääbo:

Email: paaboeva.mpg.de
Phone: +49 (0) 341 3550 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 341 3550 - 119

Postdoctoral position, Human and Primate Functional Genomics

To study molecular mechanisms of human evolution by functional genomic approaches with an emphasis on the comparative study of humans and closely related primate species (Enard and Pääbo, Ann. Rev. Genomics Hum. Genet. 5: 351-78, 2004).
The goal is to identify and functionally characterise the genes that contributed to recent human evolution.

We seek a candidate with a strong background in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and/or neuroscience. Previous work experience with transgenic animals is a plus.

Enquiries to Svante Pääbo (paabo at eva.mpg.de).

Applicants are requested to send a cv, statement of research interests, and the names of three references.
The working environment of the institute is English-speaking, and the members constitute a highly international group.
The institute is in Leipzig, a pleasant city of 500,000 inhabitants situated two hours from Berlin and three hours from Prague. It is the policy of the institute that, for equal qualifications, preference be given to persons with disabilities.

Please send written applications to:

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Personnel Department
Deutscher Platz 6
D-04103 Leipzig
Germany