Estimada comunidad RedLACC,

Les compartimos información sobre oportunidades doctorales y postdoctorales en U. of Padova, Italia / CICHAZ, México.

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to share the news that we are expanding our research group at the Social Evolution Lab at UniPD with two PhD research fellows, a research technologist, and several new postdocs for three years starting this fall 2025, thanks to major funding from the Fondo Italiano per la Scienza (FIS).

The project

The focus of the research is mate choice and its consequences in natural and experimental hybrids of two species of swordtail fish (Xiphophorus). This project explores the fitness consequences of nonrandom mating and its mechanistic underpinnings, using small populations of natural hybrids that allow us to readily characterize genetic costs and benefits. 

Starting from next-generation 3-D tracking of multiple individuals in a naturalistic environment to predict mating networks, through gene mapping and proteomics of postmating interactions between sperm and female reproductive fluid, to sequencing whole genomes to estimate the fitness of simulated and real progeny, the project takes an open-source, open-science approach to connect
across fields of biology.

Focused on mate choice and its consequences in natural and experimental hybrids of two species of swordtail fish (Xiphophorus), the project seeks to understand the fitness consequences of nonrandom mating and its mechanistic underpinnings, using a system where we can readily characterize genetic costs and benefits – small populations of natural hybrids.  Starting from next-generation 3-D tracking of multiple individuals in a naturalistic environment to predict mating networks, through gene mapping and proteomics of postmating interactions between sperm and female reproductive fluid, to sequencing whole genomes to estimate the fitness of simulated and real
progeny, the project takes an open-source, open-science approach to connect across fields of biology.

Living and working
Our research group works with close collaborators in our building and around the world, contributing to a fun and plurifaceted work environment. Postdocs and PhD students will work together to integrate expertise in animal behavior, bioinformatics, computational modeling, fish husbandry, and
molecular benchwork. Successful applicants will excel at working and communicating in at least one of these areas and demonstrate a willingness to learn more, in a flexible mix of English, Spanish, and Italian. We welcome all backgrounds, genders, and orientations.
The history and future of these hybrid fish are inseparable from those of the changing environments long stewarded by mestizo and indigenous Nahuatl communities in the Sierra Madre Oriental of central Mexico. Research and outreach happen between the Biology Department at the University of Padova, Italy and the CICHAZ <http://www.cichaz.org/>  field station in Calnali, Hidalgo, with flexibility as to how much time to spend in each. We are lucky to work between two beautiful towns, Padova and Calnali, enthusiastic about learning science and about sharing rich cultural traditions including delicious food. Calnali offers mountain air at a tropical pace for thinking, writing, and knowledge-sharing.  At CICHAZ, work with colleagues from Mexico and around the world in a state-of-the-art research environment for behavioral and nucleic-acid work on tropical fish. Padova, meanwhile, combines the best of a Renaissance village and a diverse modern city, <30 min from Venice and the Adriatic Sea and >1 hr to the pre-Alps. World-class public health and public education reinforce the University’s commitment to work/life balance.  The top-ranked biology department in Italy offers a new state-of-the-art facility for tracking fish behavior and the BioData Hub, a center for learning, applying, and developing bioinformatic analyses across subfields.

Positions are for up to three years starting the first week in October 2025 (postdocs and technologist) and November 2025 (PhD students).  PhDs are offered within the integrative and flexible program in Biosciences: applicants can start reviewing needed application materials here
<https://www.unipd.it/en/phd-courses-2025-2026> , deadline May 13. Details for postdoc positions are forthcoming.

If interested, please send me an e-mail with your CV to gil.rosenthal@unipd.it.

Best wishes,

Gil

Gil Guastoni Rosenthal
Professor of Biology, University of Padova
Co-Director, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas «Aguazarca», A. C.