PhD position: Genomic and Morphological Evolution of Mussels - CAGT Toulouse France 

We are hiring a PhD student to join our International and multidisciplinary team investigating the Genomic and Morphological Evolution of Mussels.

Applications can be submitted through the website https://emploi.cnrs.fr/ ONLY
starting May, 3rd 2021, 
but interested applicants can now get in touch by e-mailing Clio Der Sarkissian at [log in to unmask]

Hosting organisation: Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, France 
Supervision: Clio Der Sarkissian/José Braga
Duration: 3 years, full time
Starting date: October 1st 2021
Salary: 2,135 € per month (net)
Application deadline : June 13th


***Project description 
The proposed program is part of a multidisciplinary project aimed at better understanding the impact of environmental conditions on mussels of the Mytilus genus through time and space. Using the latest 3D morphometry and ancient genomics methods, the objective will be to characterize the relationships between biological (phenotypic and genomic) responses and environmental changes.
The research work of the future PhD student will be based on a collection of modern and ancient mussel shells sampled along environmental gradients. It will consist in generating and analyzing ancient and modern genomic data, as well as acquiring and processing 3D micro-CT scans, in order to identify candidate traits influenced by environmental factors. For more information, see our previous work: Der Sarkissian et al., 2017 Molecular Ecology Resources, and Der Sarkissian et al., 2020 Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution; as well as Orlando et al. 2021, Nature Reviews Methods Primers for a review on ancient DNA.

***Context
This project is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR; MEET, website: https://cagt.cnrs.fr/meet/) and the student will join a team of experts in ancient genomics, statistical analyzes of shapes, and ecology.
The PhD student will be hosted as part of the team AGES (Archeology, Genomics, Evolution and Societies) headed by Ludovic Orlando at the Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse (CAGT, UMR5288 CNRS, website: https://cagt.cnrs.fr/, Twitter: @CAGToulouse), University of Toulouse 3, France. The PhD project will be supervised by Clio Der Sarkissian, a researcher in ancient genomics. She develops pioneering approaches applying state-of-the-art techniques to study mollusk shells from archaeological archives and museum collections. The second supervisor will be José Braga, a paleoanthropologist who implements cutting-edge statistical methods for the modelling of shape variability. 
CAGT is an International and multi-disciplinary research environment bringing together (ancient) geneticists, palaeontologists, anthropologists, archaeologists and experts in 3D-imaging in order to better understand the complex interactions between human populations, biodiversity and the environment through time. CAGT benefits from privileged relationships with the Natural History Museum of Toulouse next door to the laboratory. Located on the campus of the Faculty of Medicine of Purpan, CAGT offers a pleasant working environment in the center of Toulouse, a city known for its large student population, quality of life and proximity to the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

***Requirements
We are seeking highly motivated and committed applicants with a strong interest in inter-disciplinary research.
The PhD project is intended for applicants with knowledge and experience in molecular biology, genomics, evolutionary biology, population genetics, ecology, and/or bioinformatics. A French Master 2 Research (M2R) / DEA degree or equivalent in the research fields concerned is required (see degree equivalence on the doctoral school website: https://ed-bsb.univ-toulouse.fr/as/ed/page.pl?site=edbsb&page=equivalence).
Prior experience in a molecular biology (ancient DNA) laboratory or computational analyses of high-throughput genomic data is a plus, as is coding proficiency in R, Bash and/or Python (Perl).
The applicant must be fluent in English as CAGT is an International environment.
The applicant will ideally have skills in taking initiatives and working independently, as much as in communicating progress (in oral and written forms) and working on a team.
The future PhD student will be expected to participate in the life and activities of AGES and CAGT, and to communicate research with the members of CAGT, the scientific community and the general public.

*** Further information
Applications must be submitted on the CNRS Employment Portal ONLY.
Candidates are invited to send:
- a letter detailing their previous research work, as well as their motivation for doctoral research in general and the proposed thesis project in particular;
- a complete curriculum vitae, with description of the latest relevant degree obtained or degree in progress;
- the names and contact details of 2 referees (internship supervisor or other professional experience);
- university transcripts for the last two years;
- a copy of the latest relevant diploma obtained;
- a list of publications and/or conference or seminar participation (optional).

For any additional information or informal contact, please contact Clio Der Sarkissian: [log in to unmask] (Website: https://cagt.cnrs.fr/der-sarkissian-clio/)

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