The Meek Lab is looking for motivated PhD and MS students, postdoctoral scholars, research technicians, and undergraduate researchers. See announcements below. Please check out the research page for descriptions of some of the major projects happening in the lab, and have a look at our publications to get an idea of the type of research we do. If these ideas interest you, please email me to start a conversation (mhmeek@msu.edu). I’m excited to hear from you.
The Meek lab strives to be a safe space for diversity in STEM.
I take graduate students through both the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program and the Department of Integrative Biology.
Postdoctoral opportunity to study the genomic basis for thermal tolerance and local adaptation in fish populations
The Meek Lab at Michigan State University is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to study the genomic basis for thermal tolerance and local adaptation in brook trout of the Northeast US. The lab uses field collections and experiments, combined with next-generation sequencing data, to address fundamental ecological questions that are highly relevant to the conservation and management of species. The project that will be the focus of this post-doc aims to address two questions, using brook trout as a model system:
- Are there differences in gene expression patterns among fish from populations with different thermal histories?
- Are there regions of the genome associated with differences in susceptibility and phenotypic response to thermal stress?
We will be using this information to develop an approach for assessing the genetic diversity associated with thermal adaptation in other brook trout populations. The information gained from this study will be invaluable for understanding the molecular basis for local adaptation and its relation to climate change resiliency planning, and in designing management actions that sustain brook trout into the future.
The initial hire is for one year, with potential for an additional year of funding upon satisfactory review of progress. The position will be based in the Department of Integrative Biology at Michigan State University. Start date is negotiable, but the ideal is winter or spring 2017.
*Qualifications*
Applicants should have a PhD in ecology, evolution, genetics, bioinformatics, or related fields. We are looking for a creative and talented scientist with a good publication record and excellent organizational and communication skills. We are especially interested in candidates with a strong computational background and previous experience with next-generation sequencing data analysis. Experience working in the Unix environment is essential and familiarity with one or several programming languages is highly desirable.
*How to apply*
Application review will begin November 15. Please feel free to email before applying to start a conversation. Interested candidates should email Mariah Meek (mhmeek@msu.edu) with the following:
0)”Prospective postdoc” in the email subject
1) Brief cover letter describing research interests and motivation
2) CV
3) Names and email addresses for 3 references
4) 2-3 published papers or manuscripts in preparation
