POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN EVOLUTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL MECHANISMS

Three-year NSF-supported postdoctoral position is available at University of California San Diego, Department of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA to study the evolution of segmentation in chordates. This is a multi-level study focused on somite formation in the basal chordate amphioxus. The study involves dissecting the genetic mechanism of somite segmentation in embryos and larvae of the basal chordate, amphioxus. The effects of perturbing gene function on the mechanics of somite segmentation will be monitored at the single-cell level by 3-D reconstructions with serial blockface scanning electron microscopy. RNA-Seq will address questions of gene hierarchy.  Applicants with a background in evo/devo and/or developmental mechanisms of amphioxus are preferred. A PhD is required. Interested applicants please submit a curriculum vitae, names, addresses and e-mail addresses for three references to Dr. Linda Z. Holland, Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, 92093-0202 (tel 858-534-5607; fax 858-534-7313; email lzholland@ucsd.edu). UCSD is an equal opportunity employer.