Post-doctoral position available in spatial and demographic connectivity of caribou, Université Laval, Québec (Canada)

As part of the Caribou Ungava research program (www.caribou-ungava.ulaval.ca), we are seeking a postdoctoral candidate interested in working on the population genomics of the different ecotypes of caribou in Québec and Labrador. The large herds of migratory caribou in northern Quebec and Labrador have sharply declined in recent years and the causes of decline are still not well understood. Most populations of boreal and mountain caribou are also in a precarious state. We are interested in better understanding the evolutionary history of the caribou populations and the demographic and genetic connectivity among them. We aim to compare gene flow between migratory, boreal and mountain caribou populations, and identify geographical regions where gene flow is highest. We plan to assess divergence time during the last few centuries according to variation in climate. Analyses will be based on the long-term monitoring and genome-scale data (whole genomes and 63k SNP chip) from >800 migratory caribou from the Rivière-George and Rivière-aux-Feuilles herds, >850 boreal caribou from 15 populations sampled over the last 20 years in Québec and Labrador and about 55 mountain caribou (Gaspésie and Torngat populations).

The candidate will work with a team of scientists specializing on caribou ecology and genetics, including Aaron Shafer (Trent University), Glenn Yannic (Université Savoie Mont Blanc, France), Claude Robert (Université Laval), Martin-Hugues St-Laurent (Université du Québec à Rimouski), Joëlle Taillon (Quebec government), Sabrina Plante (Quebec government), Sara McCarthy (Labrador and Newfoundland government), as well as Steeve Côté (Université Laval). The position will be based out of Université Laval, but longer-term visits to collaborating labs are an option.

Start date : in 2025 according to the availability of the candidate.

Funding : $59,823 annual fellowship including social benefits (available for 2 years).

Required skills :

• PhD in population genetics, animal ecology or similar subject.
• Very strong academic and publication records;
• Rigor, autonomy, and strong writing skills;
• Experience with handling large genomic dataset and spatial genetic analyses

To apply, please send a brief statement of interest, a CV, copies of University transcripts and 3 names that could provide a reference to:

Steeve Côté, Director of Caribou Ungava, Département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec (Québec) Canada steeve.cote@bio.ulaval.ca