Project annotation:
Fish sensory systems are highly diverse, more than in any other vertebrate groups. Vision and olfaction are both essential sensory systems mediated by the G-protein-coupled receptor proteins responsible as such for processing visual or chemical signals. In evolution of fishes, receptor genes have been lost, duplicated or modified and numerous adaptations to different environments and life strategies occurred at the genomic level. Higher sensory processing is also enabled (and limited) by the capacity of particular brain parts. The ultimate goal of the project will be to understand the genomic basis of sensory systems in fishes, and eventually integrate it with the brain capacity for the selected species.
The project is focused on the selected teleost fish species and analysis of their whole genomes to screen and identify genes responsible for vision and olfaction. We will focus on the number and origin, i.e. recent and ancient duplications and losses, of the opsin genes (vision) and olfactory receptors (olfaction). The ~150 target species spanning the teleost phylogeny will be identified based on the list of species with sequenced whole genome of high quality (available in public databases or provided by our collaborators). Further we will identify mutations responsible for the modifications of the sensory systems and focus on the analysis of selection. The genomic results will be subsequently compared with the results on the brain capacity (number of neurons) provided by our collaborators. This project hence aims to uncover general molecular mechanisms contributing to the sensory evolution in fishes.
Eliglibility criteria:
Selection process:
Selection will be based on the relevance of candidates’ professional interests and experience, and excellence in research achievements.
Position duration, starting date and remuneration:
The position duration is 24 months, starting on January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023. Standard gross monthly salary is approx. 2 400 € including health insurance and social insurance coverage. The job status is full-time - 40 hours per week.
Required application materials:
How to submit materials:
Please send email with the required application materials to the project supervisor:
Mgr. Zuzana Musilová, PhD.
Division of animal Evolutionary Biology
Katedra zoologie, Přírodovědecká fakulta UK
zuzana.musilova@natur.cuni.cz
+420777885630
Application deadline:
The application deadline is July 25, 2020. Succesfull candidates will be informed by October 10, 2020.