PhD Student Vacancy: EastBio – Genetic control of dispersal in ants: the role of supergenes

Job title:

PhD Student Vacancy: EastBio – Genetic control of dispersal in ants: the role of supergenes

Company

The James Hutton Institute

Job description

Ants play many important roles in ecosystems including nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, soil aeration and controlling populations of other insects and plants [1]. However, some species can also be invasive with harmful ecological and socio-economic impacts. As a result, there is interest in understanding the dispersal potential of ants and whether this can be controlled for both the conservation of threatened species but also to reduce the impact of invasive non-native species.In some ant genera, the number of queens in a colony is assumed to be linked with dispersal ability. Monogyne species, which have one queen, are thought to disperse better than polygyne species, which have multiple queens. However, some species such as the Narrow-headed Ant Formica exsecta, have a polymorphic social system even within populations [2]. Supergenes have recently been found to control social organization in several ant lineages [3]. Whether and how these ‘social supergenes’ also control traits related to dispersal is only starting to be explored. For example, a supergene controlling social structure in Formica selysi also affects the dispersal ability and fecundity of queens and males [4]. More broadly, supergenes appear to play a significant role in linking behavioural, morphological and physiological traits associated with intraspecific social polymorphisms.In this project we will get a comprehensive view of the dispersal mechanisms associated with supergene-controlled haplotypes and alternative haplotypes in the ant Formica exsecta. We will investigate dispersal behaviour and its genetic underpinning in this globally threatened ant whose social structure and dispersal ability appears to vary considerably across its range. Specifically, we aim to:· Link gene function to the structure of the supergene (i.e. testing the expression of genes that are part of the supergene area to see how their activation (or repression) profiles correlate with phenotypic traits of interest);· Assess the expression of these genes at different key life history stages (e.g. before/after mating in queens and in males/workers);· Compare different populations across Scotland and Europe with different social structures (e.g. entirely polygynous, entirely monogynous and polymorphic);· Field or laboratory testing of the fitness of incipient colonies or queens with different dispersal potential through behavioural tests and/or genetic analyses of related worker offspring.The student will develop a wide range of skills including insect conservation genetics, molecular biology and functional genomics.The EastBio partnership offers fully-funded competition based studentships. Funding covers Home (UK fees), a stipend at UKRI norm level (£19,327 for 2024/2025) and project costs. Application guidance can be found on the Eastbio website; . Information on UKRI-BBSRC can be found on the UKRI websiteWe will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Bronze Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.

Expected salary

£19237 per year

Location

Dundee

Job date

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:06:00 GMT

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