<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Dear All,<div><br></div><div>Michael Mikat is advertising a PhD on social evolution. Many of you may remember him from his time with us.</div><div><br></div><div>Robert</div><div><br></div><div><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfMessage"><div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>From: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;">evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Graduate position: CharlesU_Prague.SocialInsectEvolution</b><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 February 2025 at 06:11:25 CET<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;">robert.paxton@zoologie.uni-halle.de<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Reply-To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><michael.mikat@gmail.com><br></span></div><br><div><div><br><br>Reproductive division of labor in facultative eusocial Hymenoptera<br><br>PhD Position, Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague<br>Supervisor: Michael Mikát<br><br>Deadline of call: 1st April, 2024<br><br>Insect societies are among the most successful and fascinating outcomes<br>of evolution, largely due to the presence of workers—individuals<br>who sacrifice their own reproduction to support the reproduction of<br>others. Reproductive altruism is a central concept in the study of social<br>insects, yet much remains unknown about the conditions that enable its<br>emergence. While a substantial body of theoretical research exists on<br>the origins of reproductive altruism, few studies have investigated the<br>extent of this phenomenon in simple insect societies.<br><br>This project seeks to explore reproductive skew in carpenter bees<br>(Xylocopinae), a group characterized by relatively simple social<br>structures, using genetic markers. Student will assess within-nest<br>relatedness across 10 Xylocopinae species and integrate our findings with<br>data from approximately 20 other simple social Hymenoptera species. By<br>identifying the key factors influencing reproductive skew and testing<br>the applicability of existing reproductive skew models, we aim to refine<br>or develop more accurate models. Ultimately, our research seeks to shed<br>light on the origins and persistence of reproductive division of labor,<br>advancing our understanding of the evolution of social insects.<br><br>Required Qualifications:<br>- MSc degree (for Ph.D. applicants) in the field of biology.<br>- Strong writing and communication skills.<br>- Interest in the evolution of social insects.<br>- Passion for biology.<br><br>Preferred Qualifications:<br>- Experience with entomological research.<br>- Proficiency in statistical analysis (e.g., R).<br>- Programming skills (e.g., Python).<br>- Experience with bioinformatics.<br>- Ability to work and endure harsh field conditions.<br>- Familiarity with relatedness analysis, particularly using<br> microsatellites.<br><br>Prospective candidates should submit an academic CV (including a list of<br>publications).<br>Additionally, please provide a motivation letter addressing the following<br>points:<br>a) The biological questions and approaches that interest you most.<br>b) Your interest in and experience with social insects.<br>c) Your previous experience in biological research.<br>d) Provide references to senior researchers you have collaborated with<br> in the past.<br><br>The deadline for this call is April 1. The most promising candidates<br>will be invited to an online meeting, which will take place during<br>April. Start of the project: September 2025<br><br>Supervisor: Michael Mikát<br>https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Mikat?ev=hdr_xprf<br>Team members: Jiří Hadrava, Daniel Benda<br>Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague,<br>Czech Republic<br>Contact: michael.mikat@gmail.com (if you are interested to additional<br>info, do not hesitate to ask)<br><br>Michael Mikát <michael.mikat@gmail.com><br><br>(to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to<br>golding@mcmaster.ca<mailto:golding@mcmaster.ca>)<br><br><br></div></div></blockquote></div><br>
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