Bacteria living in microbial communities naturally compete for resources. We show that by understanding how bacteria compete, we can repurpose natural competition and target harmful species from withi...

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or jobs@unr.edu. For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778. Job Description The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Scholar with expertise in genomics and bioinformatics. The Postdoctoral Scholar will join a team of collaborators investigating the roles of gene duplication and introgression in how wild rodent herbivores metabolize toxins in their native plant diets. The Postdoctoral Scholar will lead all aspects of targeted and genome-scale sequencing, assembly and annotation, as well as downstream analyses to quantify copy number variation, genome-wide selection and patterns of copy number evolution, interspecific hybridization, and introgression. The Postdoctoral Scholar should have excellent bioinformatics skills for processing and analysis of large genomic datasets as well as knowledge of various population genomic and phylogenomic analyses, especially those related to identifying patterns of selection as well as detecting hybridization and introgression. The successful candidate would also ideally have molecular bench skills associated with RNA/DNA extraction, library preparation, and the ability to troubleshoot and refine protocols. This individual should be highly self-driven, have excellent data management skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and be able to work with a collaborative team that spans ecologists, chemists, molecular biologists, and bioinformaticians. The Postdoctoral Scholar’s research in genomics and bioinformatics will be supported by a collaborative team of mentors including Drs. M. Matocq (UNR), M. Holding (Univ. Michigan), K. Everson (Oregon State Univ.), D. Schield (Univ. Virginia), and J. Dumbacher and J. Henderson (Calif. Acad. Sci.). The position has the potential to be renewed for a second year, based on performance. Start date is negotiable, but the position is available immediately. Required Qualifications Ph.D. in Biology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Population Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology or closely related field by the time of appointment. The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University. The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks. Preferred Qualifications A strong publication record Experience in genome assembly and annotation Experience working on computer clusters and handling large datasets Laboratory skills including DNA/RNA extraction and library preparation Demonstrated advanced bioinformatics skills, including programming skills in Python and R, and proficiency in working with the linux/unix command line environment Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to work independently and in a group Compensation Grade Postdoctoral Scholar To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience. Perks of Working at UNR! Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance Generous annual and sick leave, life insurance – Faculty Benefits E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues. Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate No state income tax! Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program Department Information For more information on the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science visit https://www.unr.edu/nres and for the Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology visit https://www.unr.edu/eecb. Department Contact Dr. Marjorie Matocq, mmatocq@unr.edu ExemptYes Full-Time Equivalent100.0% Required Attachment(s) Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at jobs@unr.edu Attach the following attachments to your application 1) Curriculum Vitae 2) Cover letter addressing applicant's motivation for the position and how their experience and skills fulfill the position requirements 3) Contact Information for three professional references For full consideration, applicant materials must be received by December 1, 2025. This posting is open until filled Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. Posting Close Date Note to Applicant A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process. Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks. For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs. The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). About Us The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries. Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.” Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics. The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as “University Village,” to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty. Collaborating with world-renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google’s TechWise initiate is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada – led by the University of Nevada, Reno – was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada’s Tech Hub will strengthen America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state. Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world. The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience. Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education. For more information, please visit the University’s website. University of Nevada, Reno The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries. Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.” Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics. The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as “University Village,” to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty. Collaborating with world-renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google’s TechWise initiate is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada – led by the University of Nevada, Reno – was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada’s Tech Hub will strengthen America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state. Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world. The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience. Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education. For more information, please visit the University’s website. NSHE is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Center for Civil Rights & Equal Access Zeva Edmondson Director, Title IX Coordinator Center for Civil Rights and Equal Access 1664 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89557 (775) 784-1547 eotix@unr.edu The University of Nevada, Reno, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Zeva Edmondson, Director, Title IX Coordinator, Center for Civil Rights and Equal Access, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Continuing Education Building, Room 206, m/s 158, Reno, Nevada 89557-0158, Telephone: (775) 784-1547; Email: eotix@unr.edu; to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov; or to both. Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found here. If you need any accommodations to complete an application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@unr.edu. Si necesita alguna acomodación para completar una solicitud, comuníquese con Recursos Humanos en jobs@unr.edu. Information regarding security, personal safety, fire safety, and crime statistics can be found at UNR's website. NSHE Employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. As a result, employment at NSHE may impact your Social Security benefits. Additional information is available at SSA 1945. Job postings are specific to the Nevada System of Higher Education.

PhD-level seminar on AI-Powered Image Analysis with Nikolay Oskolkov . Live Q&A plus on‑demand access. Join via your university’s Instats membership or enroll directly.

The nature of standing genetic variation remains a central debate in population genetics, with differing perspectives on whether common variants are almost always neutral as suggested by neutral and n...

In simple microbial populations, the fitness effects of most selected mutations are generally taken to be constant, independent of genotype frequency. This assumption underpins predictions about evolutionary dynamics, epistatic interactions, and the maintenance of genetic diversity in populations. Here, we systematically test this assumption using beneficial mutations from early generations of the Escherichia coli Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE). Using flow cytometry-based competition assays, we find that frequency-dependent fitness effects are the norm rather than the exception, occurring in approximately 80\% of strain pairs tested. Most competitions exhibit negative frequency-dependence, where fitness advantages decline as mutant frequency increases. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the strength of frequency-dependence is predictable from invasion fitness measurements, with invasion fitness explaining approximately half of the biological variation in frequency-dependent slopes. Additionally, we observe violations of fitness transitivity in several strain combinations, indicating that competitive relationships cannot always be predicted from fitness relative to a single reference strain alone. Through high-resolution measurements of within-growth cycle dynamics, we show that simple resource competition explains a substantial portion of the frequency-dependence: when faster-growing genotypes dominate populations, they deplete shared resources more rapidly, reducing the time available for fitness differences to accumulate. Our results demonstrate that even in a simple model system designed to minimize ecological complexity, subtle ecological interactions between closely related genotypes create frequency-dependent selection that can fundamentally alter evolutionary dynamics. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Animal behavior is often viewed as stemming from predictable genetic and environmental factors. However, despite our best attempts to control genetic …

Abstract. Both deterministic (e.g. species-environment interactions) and stochastic processes (e.g. random birth and death events) shape communities, but i

Argentina’s microbiology, born from 19th-century public health challenges, built enduring institutions and contributed globally to the fight against infectious diseases, to agriculture, and to biotechnology. Yet chronic underfunding, political instability, and policy discontinuity have undermined progress. Revitalization requires a sustained strategy that fosters investment and collaboration, transforming historical strengths into lasting scientific and societal development.

07 - 07 November 2025

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