Female mate choice, genetic effects, and the diverse reproductive strategies of live-bearing and egg-laying lizards

We have a fully funded PhD position available to join our team at the University of Glasgow Scotland through the competitively awarded, NERC-funded IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Programme. IAPETUS2 DTP is a partnership between Universities in the Northeast UK, giving the student an opportunity to network with fellow PhD students and future leaders in the science of the natural environment. [Deadline is very soon, see below!]

This project will use the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara, to study how female oviparous (egg-laying) and viviparous (live-bearing) lizards differ in their reproductive strategies. We will be investigating how they trade-off costs and benefits across age classes, and the interaction of these individual-level decisions with evolution and demography. To do so we will leverage this powerful comparison of lizards of two different parity modes that are living in the same environment and even hybridise (see Recknagel et al. 2021 Nature Ecol Evol for background). 

The research involves long-term fieldwork in the Alps, where the student will have the opportunity to join with an experienced team at a long-term research site. In the lab, the research involves advanced molecular biology for epigenomic and genomic approaches, which is conducted in a vibrant, well supported, and well-equipped lab environment. The project benefits from a large existing bank of samples and data, which the student will build upon.

Details of the project motivation, aims, and methodologies can be found at the IAPETUS2 website under project IAP-24-102.

https://iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/female-mate-choice-genetic-effects-and-the-diverse-reproductive-strategies-of-live-bearing-and-egg-laying-lizards/

Funding: The project is fully funded for 3.5 years including stipend (tax-free salary) at standard RCUK rate (£19,237 in 2024/25 with annual increases), university fees, and research contribution. You will also receive professional and transferrable skills training through the doctoral programme.

The studentship will start Oct 2025.

Eligibility: This studentship is open to UK and international students - we welcome a diversity of applicants! See details of eligibility at the IAPETUS2 website.

The successful candidate for this project is likely to be someone with a strong background in evolution and/or population ecology/genetics, who can show evidence of practical and analytical experience in an appropriate field, and demonstrates enthusiasm and aptitude for research.

You will join a collegial and motivated research team with graduate students, postdocs and technicians studying evolution and adaptation in natural environments. The studentship is based with Prof. Elmer (U Glasgow). Co-supervisor Prof. Ritchie (U St Andrews) studies evolutionary biology and evolutionary genetics with a focus on sexual selection and behavioural strategies. Co-supervisor Dr. Boonekamp (U Glasgow) is interested in life history trade-offs and reproductive decisions.

You can find more about our activities and interests here:

http://elmerlab.blogspot.com

https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/staff/kathrynelmer/

https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/persons/michael-gordon-ritchie

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/staff/jelleboonekamp/

EDI: In order to address historical imbalances in the higher education sector, Iapetus is committed to recruiting a diverse, representative community of researchers in Environmental Science. The DTP has developed an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy to further this. This includes the Widening Participation Scheme, which identifies Home applicants from underrepresented groups. Also, we are pleased to introduce the IAPETUS2 Diversifying Talent Scholarship Scheme, a separate competition designed for those from underrepresented groups. For more, please see the Iapetus website.