PhD position (M/F): Recombination rate regulation and the evolution of recombination during spe[...]

CNRS; France; Hybride; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research organization in France seeks a motivated PhD candidate to explore evolutionary genomics in songbirds. The role involves analyzing genomic data and studying speciation processes. The candidate will work under guidance and benefit from a collaborative environment with international researchers. A strong interest in bioinformatics and good communication skills in English are essential. The position offers a stimulating work environment, the possibility of teleworking, and various benefits like transportation reimbursements and vacation days.

Prestations

Stimulating work environment

Professional support with internal training

Possibility of teleworking

Company restaurant

Transportation cost reimbursement

44 days of vacation/RTT per year

Financial contribution to mutual insurance costs

Qualifications

• Strong interest in evolutionary genomics and ecology.
• Willing to acquire extensive training in bioinformatics and statistical data analysis.
• Good communication skills in English.

Responsabilités

• Investigate recombination rate regulation in songbirds.
• Use genomic data to study speciation processes.
• Collaborate with international research teams.

Connaissances

Interest in evolutionary genomics

Willingness to learn bioinformatics

Good communication skills in English

Collaborative work ethos

Formation

Relevant Bachelor's or Master's degree

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive Research Field Biological sciences Environmental science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 25 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

-he PhD student will join the Laboratory of Biometry and Evolutionary Biology (LBBE - https://lbbe.univ-lyon1.fr/ ) under the direction of Carina MUGAL and co-direction of Laurent DURET. The PhD student will be provided with an office space and a laptop, and will also have access to the high-performance cluster of the CC LBBE/PRABI. Most of the genomic data used within the PhD project are already sequenced and readily available to the student. Newly sequenced genomic data will be generated in the first year of the PhD project, with funding resources already secured as part of 4-year ANR-funded project SpeCular. The PhD project will also benefit from an established international research collaboration on speciation research in Ficedula flycatchers, Anna Qvarnström, Uppsala University, Sweden, and David Wheatcroft, Stockholm University, Sweden.

Our little extras

• A stimulating work environment in contact with research staff
• Professional support with internal training at the laboratory
• The possibility of teleworking
• A company restaurant offering lunch at an attractive price.
• Partial reimbursement of transportation costs (75%) + sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300/year
• A site accessible by public transportation (Tram T1 + T4 + bus)
• 44 days of vacation/RTT per year
• Financial contribution to mutual insurance costs

Description of the thesis topic:

Understanding the establishment of reproductive barriers between incipient species is what allows us to understand the origin of new species and ultimately the generation of species diversity on Earth. Reproductive barriers can accumulate as a consequence of species-specific adaptation of ecological traits or mating preferences, or originate from incompatibilities between two or more loci that interact with each other in the genomic background of interspecific hybrids. Since recombination between the genetic material of incipient species can dissolve species boundaries, a thorough comprehension of the evolution and regulation of meiotic recombination during the speciation process is central to our understanding of species formation. While geographic barriers that prevent sexual reproduction are thought of playing an important role in the initiation of the speciation process, molecular mechanisms that suppress recombination between incipient species are suggested to play a role to maintain species boundaries in sympatry. For example, chromosomal rearrangements may play a central role in local suppression of recombination in heterokaryotype individuals and promote speciation through coupling of adaptive combinations of alleles in the re-arranged regions. The presence of heterozygote chromosomal rearrangements can also result in improper chromosome segregation during meiotic cell division and incite a breakdown of meiosis. Hence, accumulation of chromosomal rearrangements between parental genomes is hypothesized to severely compromise fertility in their F1 hybrids and act as a source of reproductive isolation Similarly, genetic incompatibilities in the recombination machinery that have accumulated in the parental species can be involved in hybrid sterility. The role of meiotic recombination in speciation can thus be manifold, but little is known about its role during speciation in songbirds. The PhD project aims to fill this gap and investigate recombination rate regulation in two songbirds of the genus Ficedula.

Activities

The PhD project will use two independent approaches to retrieve recombination rate estimates in collared and pied flycatchers. Then, one aim will be to investigate the fine-scale regulation of the recombination landscape in these two songbirds. As another angle, the influence of large-scale chromosomal rearrangements on the recombination landscape and their role in speciation will be investigated. The PhD project will thus address the causes and consequences of recombination rate variation across the avian genome, covering fine-scale and broad-scale regulation of recombination rate, and the role of the recombination machinery in species-specific adaptation and hybrid sterility.

Profile and skills required

The candidate should have a strong interest in evolutionary genomics and ecology; should be willing to acquire an extensive training in bioinformatics and statistical data analysis; should have good communication skills in English and enjoy collaborative work.