MSc./PhD opportunities in contemporary human evolution

Starting as soon as possible. Please send the requested documents to emmanuel.milot@uqtr.ca (you can download here the information on this page).

Description

Graduate positions are available to work on the role of contemporary evolution in shaping life history, demography and the fate of functional genetic variation in natural populations. This program, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC), aims to study the process of selection and genetic change, generation-by-generation, and to test life-history theory using human populations as models.

Successful applicants will perform research in evolutionary genetics of life-history traits in replicate populations, in eco-evolutionary dynamics across a ~250 year window, as well as on the consequences of evolution on functional genetic variants, such as those involved in genetic diseases. They will have the chance to work with exceptional data (pedigree and/or molecular data) from the Québec population, which has become a model recognized worldwide in population genetics. Moreover, they will join an interuniversity team in evolutionary biology that will provide opportunities to interact and collaborate with researchers from various disciplines (ecology, evolutionary ecology, epidemiology, anthropology, demography, etc.).

Funding

Funding is available. Candidates with profiles good enough to apply for scholarships will be given priority.    

Condition for admission

Candidates must have an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree in biology or in a related domain, or expect to have completed their degree very soon.

Competences sought

All projects will involve working with genealogical data, fitting complex statistical models and performing simulations. The following skills/aspects will be considered assets: showing a strong interest to work with statistics; having experience in programming or being highly motivated to develop skills in that field; being rigorous and having good skills in writing. Some knowledge of French (or willingness to learn it) will help the students with their integration to the team and the courses offered in the Master programs.

Documents requested to apply

• Cover letter with a statement of the research interests of the candidate
• CV
• Name and Email of two referees
• Undergraduate study transcript

About the university and the city

The University of Québec at Trois-RIvières is small-medium size (~15,000 students) institution that is currently expanding and very dynamic in research. The working language is French although many people also speak English. Founded in 1634, Trois-Rivières is the third oldest city in North America (after Québec City and Boston) with a small and nice old downtown. It is strategically located within an hour and half drive of Montreal and Québec City, along the St. Lawrence River and nearby vast forested landscapes. Access is thus easy to both the great cultural life of these cities and profuse outdoor activities, including winter sports.