English speaking vacancies in Holland: VACANCY: PhD project: Venom gene organization in venomous snake genomes at MUSEUM NATURALIS

Sunday 29 June 2014

VACANCY: PhD project: Venom gene organization in venomous snake genomes at MUSEUM NATURALIS - LEIDEN

We seek to attract a PhD student who will be working on the project described below. You are an energetic and highly motivated biologist with interest in genomic evolution of the venom genes.

PhD project: Venom gene organization in venomous snake genomes

Venomous snakes are limbless yet successful predators. They have evolved extraordinary biological adaptations of dentition, parotid glands and non-toxic physiological proteins to generate a highly efficient venom-system and venom whose toxic potency causes rapid immobilization of their prey. However, we do not know which mutations lead to recruitment, i.e. what changes in tissue-specific gene regulation are responsible for venom gland expression, and whether a similar change underlies all toxin recruitment events. Another unsolved problem is how venom gene isoforms are organized in the genome.
In this proposed PhD project, the candidate will investigate toxin gene organization and regulation, by sequencing and assembling the genome of the Malayan pit viper (Viperidae) and comparing it with the genome of a second venomous snake from an independent lineage, the king cobra (Elapidae). Are toxin genes organized in clusters or are they found dispersed throughout the genome? Do the same or different promoters regulate them? What are the mechanisms of toxin gene duplication?

General requirements and skills

The successful candidate should have a Master's degree in biology with proven experience in genomics but also in evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, and preferably developmental biology.Excellent command of the English language (written and verbal) is required. He/she has a scientific and critical attitude, excellent time management and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated with a demonstrated capacity for multidisciplinary research.

We offer

A fulltime contract (36 hours per week) for a period of one year, to be extended with three years after successful first year evaluation. A salary of circa € 2.567,- a month. The candidate will also be affiliated with Leiden University.
The successful candidate will be employed by Naturalis in Leiden. During your appointment you will be supervised by Dr. Freek Vonk and Prof. Dr. Michael Richardson. Feel free to contact Prof. Richardson with questions about the research or position (m.k.richardson@biology.leidenuniv.nl).

Procedure

Applicants are invited to submit their application including a cover letter and CV, and the names and e-mail addresses of at least two persons that can be contacted for reference before 11 July 2014 by e-mail to; sollicitaties@naturalis.nl.
The interviews will probably be held around August 2014.

Found here: http://www.naturalis.nl/nl/over-ons/werken-bij-ons/vacatures/phd-student/

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