Graduate Position: East Carolina U_Plant Evolutionary Genomics

GRADUATE STUDENT POSITIONS: POPULATION GENETICS, PHYLOGENOMICS, AND COMPARATIVE GENOMICS OF LEGUMES AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Multiple graduate student (Ph.D. or M.S.) positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Ashley N. Egan in the Department of Biology, East Carolina University. We seek highly motived colleagues to study evolutionary genetics and genomics of the plant tribe Phaseoleae (family Leguminosae/Fabaceae) that includes many species of economic importance (soybean, common bean, jicama, etc). Research interests in our lab include bioinformatics, computational biology, molecular systematics, evolutionary and population genetics, and evolutionary comparative genomics.

Research activities can involve fieldwork in the US and abroad, next-generation DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic, phylogenomic, andcomparative genomic analyses. Opportunities exist for students to develop independent projects making use of considerable 454 transcriptome data collected from several species across phaseoloid legumes. For an outline of current projects and prospective projects in thelab, please go to http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/biology/egan_ashley.cfm .

Prospective students with a background in genomics, botany, phylogenetics, and/or population genetics are encouraged to apply. Evidence of robust quantitative/analytical skills, strong work ethic, passion for investigating scientific questions, ability to work in both field and laboratory conditions and collaborative skills will all be vital for the success of potential candidates. Students will be supported by a combination of research and teaching assistantships.

A National Science Foundation funded PhD position is also available to study the phylogenetics, taxonomy, and population genetics of Kudzu, Pueraria lobata, a highly invasive species in the U.S. This work involves extensive fieldwork in Asia and will involve collaborations with several international scientists. Field and prior research experience is a plus. Work will involve DNA extraction and amplification, microsatellite genotyping, next-generation sequencing and analyses, phylogenetic and population genetic analyses and genomics.

Interested applications should send a cover letter with statement of research interests, CV, and transcripts (can be unofficial) to Dr. Ashley Egan (egana@ecu.edu). In addition, please have three references sendletters to the same e-mail address. More information about the department and graduate program admission process can be found at the Department of Biology (www.ecu.edu/biology) and http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/biology/applyingforadmission.cfm and, for PhD's, the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences (www.ecu.edu/idpbs) . Application review begins immediately for a start date of fall or winter semester 2011.