PHD POSITION IN FLORAL EVOLUTION

The Schenk Lab at Ohio University is looking for a Ph.D. student to start an NSF Funded project in January 2022 (preferred) or August 2022.

Brief Project Overview: Flowers have experienced extraordinary morphological changes through evolutionary time that includes multiple origins of novel, non-fertile structures, making them an ideal system to study integrated-trait evolution in response to functional cooption. An example of a coopted structure is staminodes, which are sterile stamens that were coopted from pollen production to perform novel functions, such as nectar production, pollinator attraction, or enhanced pollen dispersal or deposition, or they are rudimentary stamens. Staminodes provide an exceptional opportunity to reveal the evolutionary consequences of functional cooption in an integrated system. The project will answer the question: Is there an evolutionary response to compensate for the loss of reproductive function when a structure is coopted to perform a novel function?

Research approach: Research will include genomic library preparation and sequencing, phylogenomics, phylogenetic comparative approaches, morphological characterization of floral traits, floral manipulation experiments with natural pollinators, and field work in the western U.S. Training will be provided in all areas.

Qualifications: Students must have an interest in plant evolution, floral diversity, and/or pollinator ecology. A Master's Degree is not required. Preference will be given to students with laboratory/research experience, although not required.

Benefits to student: The project is a tremendous opportunity for a student to make intellectual contributions to the field of plant evolution. In addition, the position will come with a tuition waver, stipend, three years of an research assistantship and a teaching assistantship for the remaining time, complete coverage of research expenses, support for travel associated with field work, support for travel to national conferences, an opportunity to mentor undergraduate researchers, and to participate in workshops.

Contact: Please contact John Schenk via e-mail (schenk@ohio.edu), briefly outlining your interest in the project and qualifications, being sure to include your curriculum vitae. For more information, see: https://schenklab.weebly.com/
https://www.ohio.edu/cas/plant-biology
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2117446