Opportunities in the Winger Lab

The Winger Lab at the University of Michigan is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position and for potential PhD students to start in Fall 2017

---

POSTDOC IN AVIAN SPECIATION AND EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS

The Winger lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan is accepting applications for a postdoctoral scientist position in avian evolutionary genomics and speciation. We conduct research on diverse topics related to avian evolution and evolutionary ecology, including speciation, the evolution of geographic range, the assembly of regional biotas, and avian movement ecology (seasonal migration and dispersal). We are particularly interested in topics that bridge one or more of these themes. The primary focus of this postdoctoral position is to test the historical and ecological factors that regulate speciation in Neotropical montane birds. Specifically, the project seeks to develop a comparative genomic framework to test how ecological and social selection pressures interact with population history to influence trajectories of speciation in the Andes. Duties may involve development of genomic libraries and sample preparation in a molecular lab, assembly and analysis of genomic data, project organization, training of graduate and undergraduate students, and collaborative grant and manuscript writing. “Wet lab” molecular work will take place in a highly collaborative, multi-PI, biodiversity-focused genomic laboratory in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Depending on expertise, the postdoc may also contribute to other research endeavors in the Winger lab that involve genomic, phylogenetic, distributional or morphological (specimen-based) datasets.
 
A successful applicant would have a PhD in evolutionary biology, evolutionary or ecological genomics, population genetics, phylogenetics or biodiversity informatics by summer, 2017; demonstrated success in publication and grant writing of original research; a passion for biodiversity and natural history of birds or other taxa; and a track record of and interest in mentorship of undergraduate students. Ideally, a successful applicant would also have expertise in at least one of the following areas: genomic and bioinformatic methods such as whole genome sequencing and assembly, sequence capture and/or short-read sequencing and assembly; population genetic and/or phylogenetic analytical methods, particularly as pertains to genomic data; and/or fluency in scripting languages such as Python or R. This Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended to be a two-year position, pending a successful performance review after the first year. Desired start date is September 1, 2017, but may be negotiable. Applicants should send a letter of interest, CV, and list of three references to Dr. Ben Winger (wingerb [at] umich.edu) by December 9th, 2016.

​

PhD OPPORTUNITIES IN AVIAN EVOLUTION

The Winger lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan invites PhD student applications. We conduct research on diverse topics related to avian evolution and evolutionary ecology, including speciation, sexual selection and plumage evolution, the evolution of geographic range, the assembly of regional biotas, and avian movement ecology (seasonal migration and dispersal). We are particularly interested in topics that bridge one or more of these themes. Current research projects include: 1) using comparative genomics to understand speciation in Andean birds and the buildup of Andean biodiversity; 2) using population genomic methods to test the influences of seasonal migration on speciation in boreal migratory birds; 3) developing comparative methods to explore how geographic range evolution influences migratory behavior and vice versa; 4) using large time-series datasets from museum collections to elucidate anthropogenic impacts on the evolutionary trajectories of migratory birds. Preference will be given to applicants with: an enthusiastic commitment to developing and pursuing creative research questions, prior research experience during undergraduate or post-graduate training, prior coursework in evolution, and an interest in birds and their natural history. We are particularly interested in research projects that will leverage and/or contribute to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology’s bird collections, which is one of the largest bird research collections in North America.
 
Applicants must apply by December 1st, 2016 to the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and must be accepted by the department and the Rackham Graduate School; application information can be found here: http://lsa.umich.edu/eeb/graduates/prospective-students/eeb-application-information.html Prior to applying, please email a statement of research interests, transcript(s), and CV to Dr. Ben Winger (wingerb [at] umich.edu).
 
​

New UMich Biological Sciences Building and future home of Winger lab under construction on central campus. Read more here.