Doctoral Researcher: Gut microbiome, genetics and environment contributing to thermal traits in wild birds?

A fully funded 4-year Doctoral Researcher position is available at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, in the group of Dr. Suvi Ruuskanen. The Doctoral Researcher will work as part of an ERC-funded project in which the overarching aim is to understand the significance of the gut microbiome to avian thermal adaptation, within and across generations, and species. Application deadline is 13 October 2024 and starting date is in January 2025, or as mutually agreed.

Project description

All animals on our planet carry microorganisms in their gut. The gut microbiome has recently been shown to be strongly linked to health in humans and model animals. However, we still have limited knowledge on what factors determine microbiome variation and how the gut microbiome can contribute to host adaptation, particularly in light of climate change. Interestingly, studies in vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms, and our own data in wild great tits (Parus major) suggest that the microbiome changes with temperature, and proof-of-concept data shows that this compositional shift in the microbiome occurs as an adaptive response to cold exposure. Genetic variation in the host is known to contribute to variation in the microbiome, but its relative importance for microbiome variation is not fully understood. In this project the student will study the relative role that hosts genetics and thermal environment play in explaining gut microbiome variation, and its (causal) links to thermal physiology. Key methods involve quantitative genetics of microbiome and physiological traits using a pedigree population, and novel microbiome transplant experiments between populations in different environments. Data collection will take place in Finland (University of Jyväskylä), Sweden (University of Lund) and Netherlands (Netherlands Institute of Ecology)

Duties

The doctoral researcher position will involve conducting data and sample collection on wild birds in field populations, experiments with wild-caught captive birds, contribution to laboratory analyses (physiological and molecular), bioinformatic analyses of 16s rRNA data, and quantitative genetic analyses, manuscript preparation and supervision of students.

Qualifications

• We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, productive person, who will be willing to gain experience both in the lab and in the field and contribute intellectually to the project development.
• Suitable candidates should have a Msc in ecology/evolution, (eco)physiology, molecular biology or related field by the time of starting the position, strong interest in quantitative genetics, host-microbiome research and bioinformatics.
• Experience in laboratory analyses or working with (wild) animals will be considered beneficial. Driving license is also needed.

The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of a Doctoral Researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. The MSc degree required for the position must have been completed before starting the position. Doctoral Researcher needs to be also enrolled in the doctoral programme which can be applied from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science after selection for the position.

We offer

• Funding for 4 years in the doctoral program of the University of Jyväskylä.
• Supervision in all aspects of the work (from field to lab to computational skills), possibility to join workshops to improve specific skills in e.g. bioinformatics, data analysis.
• International, enthusiastic working environment (working language is English) in a friendly research group with a large collaborator network.
• Excellent research infrastructure at Jyväskylä and in collaborators’ (incl. Konnevesi research station), labs and state-of-the-art scientific equipment, software, access to journals and scientific databases.
• Resources for travel to conferences or workshops abroad.

The Doctoral Researcher will be supervised by Dr. Suvi Ruuskanen and Dr. Charli Davies (University of Jyväskylä), Dr. Kees van Oers (Netherlands Institute of Ecology) and Dr. Andreas Nord (Lund University)

At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a recognized member of our community with an ample opportunity to be drawn into international research. You get to participate in our international and multidisciplinary community, where everybody’s welfare is essential. You will work in an inspiring and lively campus area and an environment that supports a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Finland has a high standard of living with healthcare, free schooling (also in English), affordable childcare, and good family benefits. The city of Jyväskylä is located in central Finland amidst Finnish lakes and has excellent opportunities for different nature, outdoor, and sports activities. It is a major educational center, whose large student population is responsible for a vibrant cultural scene. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's Handbook for international staff and visitors.

The initial annual salary will be approximately 30,000 EUR (gross income, including a holiday bonus). With progress of the thesis work, the salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Universities. The employment starts with a trial period of six months.

How to apply

The application documents that should be included in PDF format:

1. A two-page long Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity and including contact information of two academics who can provide reference letters
2. Max 2-page motivation letter including a statement of research interests and reasons for applying
3. A numbered list of publications, if any
4. Relevant certificates / diplomas (or date of completion the MSc)

Eligible candidates will be evaluated based on the submitted documents following the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal interview.  For further details, please contact Associate Professor Suvi Ruuskanen, suvi.k.ruuskanen@jyu.fi.

The Environmental Physiology lab (Environmental Physiology Lab | University of Jyväskylä (jyu.fi), led by Suvi Ruuskanen, research fields are at the intersection of environmental sciences, ecotoxicology and physiological, behavioural and molecular ecology, thus we are integrative biologists. We are broadly interested in the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying organismal adaptation to environmental changes. These include, for example, physiology of stress and energetics, epigenetic and microbiome-mediated mechanisms. We also have passion for understanding transgenerational and developmental plasticity.