PhD studentship in Geographically explicit human pop, UK

PhD studentship in Geographically explicit human population genetics

Supervisor: Dr Lori Lawson Handley
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Biological Sciences,
University of Hull, UK

A fully funded PhD studentship is available to study geographical
human population genetics, at the University of Hull. Recent analyses
of human populations have demonstrated that genetic variation is
clinal - in other words genetic variation gradually decreases with
increasing geographic distance from East Africa. This is compatible
with a recent African origin of modern humans, and a gradual loss of
diversity as we colonised the world. Such clines demonstrate that
most of the variation in human populations can be explained by
geography, but the role of geographic barriers such as high mountain
ranges, large bodies of water and deserts in shaping human genetic
variation are still poorly understood. They are also potentially
useful as null models to allow investigation of genomic regions under
selection, which is an area of great interest in population genetics.
The general aims of this PhD project will therefore be 1) to
investigate the influence of geographic and climatic variables on
patterns of human genetic variation on more regional scales, and 2)
to use this approach to investigate regions of the genome under
natural selection. For background reading relating to this please
see: Lawson Handley et al. (2007) Going the distance: human
population genetics in a clinal world. Trends in Genetics (available
from ljl27@cam.ac.uk or "Articles in Press" section of TIG website).
Applicants should have a keen interest in evolutionary/population
genetics and hold at least an upper second class honours degree in
the life sciences. The project will entail lab and computer based
work, including DNA analyses, statistical genetics and GIS.
Enthusiasm for these areas, but not necessarily prior experience, is
essential.

Informal enquiries are strongly encouraged. Please feel free to
contact Lori Lawson Handley for more information on the project
(ljl27@cam.ac.uk, 01223 760346).

CLOSING DATE 3RD SEPTEMBER 2007

Interviews will be held in Hull during the second week of September
and the start date is no later than 1st January 2008. The annual
stipend is approx £12,600

Dr Lori Lawson Handley
Department of Genetics,
University of Cambridge,
Downing Street,
Cambridge
CB2 3EH
U.K.

Email: ljl27@cam.ac.uk
Phone +44 (0)1223 760346
Group URL: http://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/newdept/research/labs/balloux.htm