Graduate position: Landscape genetics of plants
Plant species present unique opportunities and challenges for landscape
genetic analyses, as the behavior of their associated biotic and abiotic
dispersal vectors as well as the distribution of suitable habitat may
affect patterns of genetic variation.Understanding how landscape
features may facilitate or limit the dispersal of plants is particularly
critical as climate change affects the distribution of suitable
habitats.We are looking to recruit graduate students (Ms or PhD)
interested the ecological and evolutionary consequences of dispersal.
Since direct measures of dispersal do not provide accurate information
on historical patterns of dispersal we are employing techniques from
population genetics, phylogeography, and ecological genomics. We have
already established wet-lab and bioinformatics pipelines for conducting
chloroplast genome capture and SNP/haplotype analyses – it is a system
just waiting for creative an energetic students to explore the
advantages and limitations of these methods.
Students will be encouraged to develop their own projects in the context
of understanding the processes and consequences of plant
dispersal.Experience with laboratory assays and data analyses for
genetic markers, GIS analyses, bioinformatics, and field ecological
methods would be beneficial but not necessary.This project is funded
through an NSF Macrosystems Biology Grant.
If interested, please send a letter of introduction to cru...@pdx.edu
<mailto:cru...@pdx.edu> that includes a brief statement of your
background and academic record (including GPA and GRE scores if
available).Please include an essay outlining your research interests and
a recent copy of your CV.
Mitch Cruzan, Professor of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR
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Mitch Cruzan
Professor of Biology
Portland State University
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207 USA
Web: http://web.pdx.edu/~cruzan/
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