Graduate position
Simulating evolution under complex genotype-phenotype maps

Four year position to do a PhD at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
This position is ideal for biologists with an interest in theory and in the evolution of complex phenotypes. This also includes students interested in evolution, evo-devo, evolutionary theory, quantitative genetics, population genetics and embryonic development.
1. Introduction to the topic of research
Living organisms are very complex. Humans and other animals, for example, have complex organs with an exquisite distribution of cell types and tissues over space that lead to a functional whole. How has this complexity arisen in evolution? Moreover, how is it possible that such complexity arose not only through evolution but also arises in each individual and generation from the relative simple zygote. How are those two processes, evolution and development, related? Ultimately, this complexity has to do with genes but how? Certainly genes have to interact in networks and with the mechanical properties of cells for complex phenotypes to arise. The question of this project is, thus, how have genes been wired in development and over evolution to lead to the complexity we see in life.
Current evolutionary theory provides the basic principles to understand such evolution; but its theoretical core, population genetics, was built at a time when not much was known about how genes and cells interact to construct the body in each generation (e.g. from a zygote). In fact, most of evolutionary theory relies, directly or indirectly, on simple and outdated models of the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation (the genotype-phenotype map).
This project uses existing models, developed in the group, to simulate the evolution of complex 3D phenotypes (i.e. morphologies made of thousands of cells) under natural selection. These models consider a population of individuals, their genotypes, mutation, drift, the phenotype of each individual and natural selection based on these phenotypes. The model considers the genetic and cellular interactions possible in animal development. Each genotype is, in fact, a developmental gene network from which the phenotype arises. Through mutations these gene networks can change and, thus, lead to different individual phenotypes and underlying development. This way we do not have to assume that the genotype-phenotype map is in a certain way, we can just let it evolve.
Since classical evolutionary theory does not consider the genotype-phenotype map, development or how these evolve, this models also allows to explore questions not classically addressable, e.g. how development itself or the genotype-phenotype map evolve. Ultimately the question is how development could evolve to lead to complex phenotypes and how does development affect evolutionary dynamics. For more detailed outlines of the research ask (isaac.salazar@uab.cat) and check the group’s webpage: https://webs.uab.cat/salazar-ciudad-lab/
2. Requirements:
- Candidates should have a University Degree and a Master’s Degree in biology or related topics within the European Higher Education System (minimum 300 ECTS) or equivalent by September 2022.
-Scientific programming skills or a willingness to acquire them are required.
-The most important requirement is a strong interest and motivation for science and evolution. A capacity for creative and critical thinking is also required.
3. Salary and conditions:
-The salary would be the standard one graduate students in Spain. Full-time employment
4. The application must include:
-Application letter including a statement of interests and motivation.
-CV including degrees obtained, subjects included in degree (for the bachelor and master), grades obtained (for the bachelor and masters), average grade.
Foreign applicants, especially non-EU applicants, should attach an explanation of their University's grading system. All documents should be in English, no official translation is required in the initial application but may be requested afterwards. Applications should be sent to Isaac Salazar-Ciudad by email:
isaac.salazar@uab.cat
5. Starting:
Starting date to be negotiated (from september 2026 to early 2027).
6. Work environment:
Salazar-Ciudad group is the Genetics and microbiology deparment in the UAB (www.uab.cat).
The Genetics and Microbiology department is very international and, thus, not being able to speak Catalan or Spanish is not a problem.
The UAB is one of the largest and best Universities in Spain.
7. References:
Salazar-Ciudad I, Marín-Riera M.Adaptive dynamics under development-based genotype-phenotype maps. Nature. 2013 May 16;497(7449):361-4.
Salazar-Ciudad I, Cano-Fernández H. Evo-devo beyond development: Generalizing evo-devo to all levels of the phenotypic evolution. Bioessays. 2023 Mar;45(3):e2200205
Hagolani PF, Zimm R, Vroomans R, Salazar-Ciudad I. On the evolution and development of morphological complexity: A view from gene regulatory networks. PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Feb 24;17(2):e1008570.

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