We are welcoming candidates to do cutting-edge research in Epigenetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity in the invasive Japanese beetle. In particular, we are especially focused on the following aspects:

• Acquiring knowledge on genome structure and function of selected invasive populations of the Japanese beetle;

• Study of the Epigenetic mechanisms that control the developmental plasticity and biological organization, above the sequence level, for Japanese and invasive P. japonica populations;

• Deeper understanding of the regulatory genetic toolbox controlled by epigenetic mechanisms related to life stages in wild/new/threatening environment.

• Epigenetics as an opportunity for the evolution of local adaptations and diversification of the insect pest.

 Research areas (as established in MSCA): Life Sciences (LIF).

 Brief description of the Centre / Research Group:

The University of Siena is one of the oldest public university in Italy. It is located in Tuscany, a charming city in the Centre of Italy offering high quality of life at an affordable cost of living for European standards. The project will be developed within the Evolutionary and Systematic Biology (ESZ_lab) research group, at the Department of Life Sciences. The ESZ_lab group is composed of four Professors, two technicians and three PhD students and is home of several research projects which are especially dedicated to the study of Hexapod evolution and pest management. ESZ_Lab is at the forefront of the application of molecular markers to address biological problems (invasions, phylogeography, colonization, ecological genetics, phylogenetics), with a marked centrality on hexapods (springtails, fruitflies, coleoptera and leafminers). The group is among the most active European group on taxonomic, phylogenetic and mitogenomic studies of early-diverging hexapod lineages, including Antarctic taxa. In the last decade the group published >50 article on scientific journals, attended to major conferences and participated to expeditions on Antarctica.

It has several active national research projects as well as an active Horizon 2020 Grant entitled: “Integrated Pest Management of the invasive Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica (IPM Popillia)” to Prof. Antonio Carapelli.

Applications (Documents to be submitted and deadline)

For the evaluation of candidates, please submit electronically to Prof. Antonio Carapelli (antonio.carapelli@unisi.it, and CC to francesco.nardi@unisi.it, before July the 15th,

Applicants should provide a brief cover letter and a CV describing your academic achievements and your research expertise, focusing on the aspects relevant in the context of this project. Please also list your language skills and provide the contact details of up to two references.

Selected candidates will be contacted for a Skype interwiew.