Postdoctoral Fellow in Eelgrass Population Genomics

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Todesco lab in the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to work on a project investigating population genomics, adaptation, and conservation of eelgrass (Zostera marina). The successful candidate will join a collaborative project aimed at understanding genetic diversity, demographic history, and the impacts of environmental change on eelgrass populations in the James Bay and St. Lawrence River regions. The successful candidate will use population genomics approaches to assess genetic vulnerability and adaptive potential of eelgrass populations. This project is co-led by Drs. Marco Todesco, Mary O’Connor (Department of Zoology), and Loren Rieseberg (Department of Botany), and is embedded within a long-standing network of eelgrass researchers, restoration practitioners, and coastal Eeyou communities in Eeyou Istchee. Eelgrass meadows occur along much of the North American coastline and are essential components of coastal ecosystems. They support biodiversity, improve water quality, contribute to fisheries productivity, and play a major role in carbon sequestration. Despite their importance, eelgrass habitats are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and coastal development. Restoration efforts are urgently needed but often fail, partly because transplanted plants may not be genetically suited to their new environments.

Requirements

• Hold a PhD in Population Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Plant Genetics, or similar fields
• Excellent publication record
• Able to work well both independently and in a team environment
• Creative individual with great interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication, both written and verbal
• Strong background in population genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, plant genetics, or related fields

Responsibilities

• Generating a genome assembly for a James Bay eelgrass individual and building an eelgrass pangenome
• Analyzing whole-genome resequencing data from hundreds of individuals to characterize patterns of diversity and demographic history
• Assessing genetic vulnerability across populations in the study regions
• Disseminating results to academic collaborators, community partners, and the broader scientific community

Benefits

• Benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees