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Kelley Lab Uncategorized

Postdoc position available

Postdoc Position: Evolutionary Genomics at Washington State University

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Joanna Kelley, in the School of Biological Sciences at Washington State University in Pullman, WA (kelleylab.wordpress.com). The research goals of the laboratory are to use genomic and computational methods to understand the genomic basis of adaptation to extreme environments. We are interested in understanding how genetic and environmental variation interact to drive population differentiation and adaptive evolution. The School of Biological Sciences at Washington State University has a strong research presence in evolution and ecology research and there are many opportunities for interaction and collaboration. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse educational backgrounds.

Applicants will be expected to develop and lead projects. Candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Computational Biology (bioinformatics, systems biology), Statistics, Computer Science, or related disciplines. A computing background is required, especially experience with Unix, and knowledge in one or several programming languages (Perl, Python, C/C++, R/BioConductor, etc). Additional experience with high-throughput sequencing data is highly necessary. Candidates should demonstrate a strong track record of publication; have strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills; and be able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

The appointment is for one year with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance. Funding is available for two years. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and benefits are included.

Applicants should email Joanna Kelley at joanna.l.kelley-at-wsu.edu and include curriculum vitae, cover letter that includes a statement of research interests that explicitly describes your professional qualifications for the position, and contact information for three references. Start time is flexible, with a desired start in Fall 2015. Applications will be accepted through July 15th.

Joanna presents at Pacific Branch of Entomological Society of America

I was invited to present at the Pacific Branch Meeting of Entomological Society of America in the Symposium: Insects In Eden – Frontiers In Insect Ecology, Development, And Evolution moderated by Robert Zinna, a graduate student in Entomology at WSU. It was a pleasure to participate in the symposium and talk about the Antarctic midge genome. The talks in the symposium were diverse and fascinating!

Courtney Passow visits Kelley Lab

photo copyCourtney Passow is visiting from the Tobler Lab at Kansas State University. She’s spending a few weeks processing samples to extract total RNA and generate RNA-sequencing libraries for a hydrogen sulfide exposure experiment. The goal of the study is to determine which genes are differentially regulated in response to hydrogen sulfide exposure, depending on the source population. Courtney will spend two weeks in the lab honing her molecular skills. We are very happy to have her here!

Antarctic fly genome

Photo courtesy of Richard E. Lee Jr.
Photo courtesy of Richard E. Lee Jr.

Happy to share that the Antarctic fly, Belgica antarctica, genome has been published in Nature Communications! We sequenced and assembled the genome of the only insect endemic to Antarctica. The fly has the smallest insect genome surveyed or sequenced to date! While most of the genes in other Diptera are present in B. antarctica, it is notably lacking repetitive elements, including transposable elements. Thanks and congratulations to my co-authors, who all worked hard on assembling, annotating and making sense of this exciting genome!

Links to popular press about the article:

ScienceNews
BBC Nature News
WSU Press Release
Natureasia.com
Phys.org
Yahoo News and here too!
IFLS
Voice of America with a short interview clip
Le Parisien