PhD studentship available at the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study (Auckland)

A Marsden-funded PhD studentship is available in Paul Rainey's Experimental Evolution lab at the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study (Auckland, NZ). This position provides an opportunity for an outstanding individual to contribute toward a long-term research program aimed at elucidating the principles of genetic evolution.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the student will be responsible for the development of models that describe genetic evolution-particularly the factors that affect the translation of mutation into phenotypic variation. These models will take advantage of a well-established and uniquely powerful experimental system to explore the hypothesis that evolution proceeds via 'pathways of least resistance', that is, via those pathways that have the greatest capacity to translate mutation into phenotypic variation (see McDonald et al 2009 Genetics). Informed by experimental insight, the student will use bioinformatic and Bayesian approaches in conjunction with dynamic equations to create general predictive models. The successful candidate should have a strong background in bioinformatics or mathematical biology and have an interest in evolution and/or development.
This post is of three years duration and available immediately. Any inquiries should be addressed to Eric Libby (e.libby@massey.ac.nz). To apply for the post please send a letter of interest/statement of purpose, CV, and the names of three referees to Vesna Davidovic-Alexander (v.davidovic-alexander@massey.ac.nz)."