PhD student position

• Project background:

Although it is commonly acknowledged that species represent a unique level of self-organising entities in nature, their delineation as well as understanding the mechanism underlying speciation is often difficult, and this process becomes even more problematic if speciation is incomplete. The transition from one species to another is one of the main issues in evolutionary biology. It is commonly accepted that speciation occurs across a continuum over time, however, the various points along the process need to be studied in order to understand the nature of this phenomenon and dividing speciation into stages could help to better understand the entire process. Presently, it is generally acknowledged that allopatric speciation (a model in which separation is caused by emerging barriers) is the main driving force behind speciation, while parapatric (no specific extrinsic barrier to gene flow) and, in particular, sympatric speciation (no barrier but also no large-scale geographic distance to reduce gene flow between individuals of the same population) models still cause a lot of controversy and are not recognized by a significant part of the scientific community.

Biogeography is a key component in understanding speciation as it affects geographic isolation and gene flow, under which reproductive isolation creates new biodiversity. Reduced gene flow plays a critical role in speciation, which has traditionally been divided into three major modes depending upon the spatial distribution of diverging populations. However, although it seems quite a common scenario that a single mode was solely involved in the separation of two taxa, there is new evidence for the hypothesis of mixed modes of speciation, in which the geographic context and levels of gene flow temporally vary during the divergence process. Ring species are a special case of parapatric speciation, where the original population spreads in two directions around a significant geographic barrier (encircling it); although neighbouring populations around the ring show free exchange of genes, at a single location two adjacent populations are reproductively isolated, though there is still a potential gene flow between each population.

Arid regions are characterised by relatively fewer species compared to the better-watered biomes, but also by high levels of endemism, and particularly high functional diversity. While this makes them unique regions regarding biodiversity conservation, they are still poorly understood. This especially concerns the Central Asian Arid Zone (CAAZ: approx. 50–110°N and 35–50°E). In these ancient landscapes (the steppe-desert of Central Asia has existed since the Eocene), which are particularly climate sensitive, patterns of radiation and evolution for biomes and animals have occurred at different periods of time, with cold arid periods during glacial maxima spurring diversification, and these vulnerable areas now are important hotspots for the conservation of certain plant and animal species.

Numerous studies have shown that flightless, sedentary arthropods (especially apterous insects) can serve as excellent models for evolutionary studies, and that their phylogenesis may more often reflect their history of colonisation. Central Asian representatives of the tribe Dorcadionini Swainson, 1840 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a taxonomically highly complex group that includes numerous described species and subspecies, are endemic to the region, making them a perfect model group for inferring the geographic modes of speciation and revealing the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that underlie the generation of biodiversity of the CAAZ. While it would not cause much controversy in a region with clear geographical barriers, such as mountain ranges or large rivers, most of the distribution area of these beetles is localised within the flat terrain without such barriers. Yet, this group is highly diverse and includes taxa that are usually very difficult to distinguish.

This project aims at building the first large-scale, time calibrated phylogeny of Central Asian Dorcadionini, and by applying a total evidence approach, at reconstructing the most likely evolutionary scenarios that have been driving the speciation of this characteristic group. The results will also serve as a general model for other apterous arthropod groups distributed or evolved in this vast region and will lay the foundations for the genesis of the CAAZ fauna.

• Requirements (bold = mandatory; up to two non-bold points may be waived):

a) MSc in Biology/Evolutionary Biology;

b) at least Upper Intermediate (B2), preferably Advanced (C1), English skills;

c) at least basic experience in molecular lab work + (ideally) basic experience in bioinformatics;

d) basic understanding of Evolutionary biology (speciation, etc.) and Phylogeography, ideally in beetles (Coleoptera);

e) at least one relevant scientific publication in peer-reviewed journal (in Entomology or Evolutionary Biology);

f) no contraindications (physical or mental) to work in difficult field conditions (project involves three one-month field sampling expeditions to arid ecosystems of Central Asia – Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Kirgizstan; spending nights mainly in tents; high temperature);

g) willingness to learn software for statistical analysis (in the R environment) and geo-mapping (QGIS);

h) strong interest to learn/work on longhorned beetles (Col: Cerambycidae);

i) perseverance, commitment, and teamwork skills.

• How to apply:

Please contact Dr. Lech Karpiński (lechkarpinski@gmail.com; lkarpinski@miiz.waw.pl) (for possible initial queries – due to the fieldwork, I will answer in mid-July at the latest) providing the following documents (please title your email “Application for a PhD position”):

1) CV with detailed information on your education, scientific career, including the list of publications, (IMPORTANT) with the following statement provided at the end:

“I give my consent to the processing of personal data provided in my application documents by the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS for the purpose of the recruitment process, pursuant to the Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1000) and in agreement with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation; L 119 from 04.05.2016)”;

2) one-page cover letter describing your motivation and research experience;

3) certified copy of the MSc diploma;

4) names and emails of at least two reference persons familiar with your qualifications;

5) filled form to the BioPlanet Doctoral School.

Application deadline: 15 Sep 2023