We are recruiting highly motivated Postdocs, PhD, and undergraduate students interested in working on the genomic basis of vertebrate evolution and development.
Research projects fall within the following broader research areas of the group, but we are open to discuss your ideas involving fish systems as well.
Genomic and morphological evolution of fishes
How do morphological differences among fish and other vertebrate lineages arise from diversification of gene repertoires? What is the role of gen(om)e duplications and gene losses in generating phenotypic diversity? How do changes in gene regulation contribute to evolutionary novelties and key innovations? We study a number of gene families that are of particular importance for the evolution of the vertebrate body plan, e. g. genes involved in development of the vertebrate-specific neural crest cells.
Conquest of land and ‘fish-out-of-water’
We are studying genomic changes and their functional consequences leading to the evolution of tetrapods from fishes and other ‘fish-out-of-water’ scenarios, including the evolutionary loss of genes at the water-to-land transition and the gene regulatory basis of hatching.
Evolutionary genomic analyses of zebrafish, gar, and other biomedical fish models
Combining genomic sequence comparisons, gene expression analyses and epigenomic profiling, we aim to improve connectivity of biomedical fish models such as zebrafish, gar, medaka, killifishes, etc. to human biology and disease.
MSU IBIO has a strong research commitment to vertebrate biology with a highly collaborative community of groups working on vertebrate and fish evolution, genomics, development, population genetics, neuroscience, behavior, ecology, and conservation, allowing for vibrant exchange among fields, methods and model systems.
We are highly committed to diversity and equity and to foster an inclusive and accessible work environment.
Research projects fall within the following broader research areas of the group, but we are open to discuss your ideas involving fish systems as well.
Genomic and morphological evolution of fishes
How do morphological differences among fish and other vertebrate lineages arise from diversification of gene repertoires? What is the role of gen(om)e duplications and gene losses in generating phenotypic diversity? How do changes in gene regulation contribute to evolutionary novelties and key innovations? We study a number of gene families that are of particular importance for the evolution of the vertebrate body plan, e. g. genes involved in development of the vertebrate-specific neural crest cells.
Conquest of land and ‘fish-out-of-water’
We are studying genomic changes and their functional consequences leading to the evolution of tetrapods from fishes and other ‘fish-out-of-water’ scenarios, including the evolutionary loss of genes at the water-to-land transition and the gene regulatory basis of hatching.
Evolutionary genomic analyses of zebrafish, gar, and other biomedical fish models
Combining genomic sequence comparisons, gene expression analyses and epigenomic profiling, we aim to improve connectivity of biomedical fish models such as zebrafish, gar, medaka, killifishes, etc. to human biology and disease.
MSU IBIO has a strong research commitment to vertebrate biology with a highly collaborative community of groups working on vertebrate and fish evolution, genomics, development, population genetics, neuroscience, behavior, ecology, and conservation, allowing for vibrant exchange among fields, methods and model systems.
We are highly committed to diversity and equity and to foster an inclusive and accessible work environment.
Postdocs
If you are interested in joining our group as a postdoc, we are always interested to talk to you about your research interests and how they may fit with our plans. Please send an email to [email protected] with a CV and a statement of your research plans, project ideas, and career goals. We will work with you to obtain possible fellowship funding through NSF (e.g. NSF PFRB Fellowship, next deadline Nov. 29, 2023), NIH, and other sources.
A MSU Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior is available. See link for more info.
We would be excited to sponsor your application jointly with another MSU EEB faculty member. The application deadline is in the fall of every year. Applications for the 2024-2025 fellowship are being accepted until Nov. 6, 2023.
If you get/got your PhD in Germany, we could sponsor you for a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
A MSU Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior is available. See link for more info.
We would be excited to sponsor your application jointly with another MSU EEB faculty member. The application deadline is in the fall of every year. Applications for the 2024-2025 fellowship are being accepted until Nov. 6, 2023.
If you get/got your PhD in Germany, we could sponsor you for a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Graduate Students
Qualifications: Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, genomics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, developmental biology, zoology or related fields. Suitable candidates should be enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary manner and have a passion for fish/vertebrate biology and evolution. Previous research experience in a relevant area is desired, but not required.
Admission: Students will be admitted through the MSU IBIO Graduate Program and the MSU Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) Program. Other possible routes of admission are through the MSU Genetics and Genome Sciences Graduate Program and the MSU Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program within the MSU BioMolecular Science Gateway.
Application deadlines for the MSU IBIO and Genetics Graduate Programs are December 1 each year. Note that GRE scores are not required for application.
Funding: Financial support is provided through research and teaching assistantships and the PI’s external funding from NSF and NIH. Competitive applicants will be eligible for university fellowships and supported in applying for graduate fellowships from NSF, NIH, and other agencies.
Interested candidates should email Ingo Braasch [[email protected]] well in advance of the application deadlines on December 1.
Please include the following in your email:
1. Brief description of your research interests and how they align with a PhD/Masters in vertebrate Evo-Devo and genomics
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Names and email contacts of 2-3 references
Admission: Students will be admitted through the MSU IBIO Graduate Program and the MSU Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) Program. Other possible routes of admission are through the MSU Genetics and Genome Sciences Graduate Program and the MSU Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program within the MSU BioMolecular Science Gateway.
Application deadlines for the MSU IBIO and Genetics Graduate Programs are December 1 each year. Note that GRE scores are not required for application.
Funding: Financial support is provided through research and teaching assistantships and the PI’s external funding from NSF and NIH. Competitive applicants will be eligible for university fellowships and supported in applying for graduate fellowships from NSF, NIH, and other agencies.
Interested candidates should email Ingo Braasch [[email protected]] well in advance of the application deadlines on December 1.
Please include the following in your email:
1. Brief description of your research interests and how they align with a PhD/Masters in vertebrate Evo-Devo and genomics
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Names and email contacts of 2-3 references
Undergraduate Students
We are always looking out for motivated undergraduate students to join our lab. Get in touch if you are interested [[email protected]]. MSU IBIO students might be eligible for the Emerging Scholars Program, Honors College students for Professorial Assistantships. If you're looking for a summer research opportunity with us, whether you're from MSU or another institution, please check out the MSU SROP Program that we frequently work with.
