A Post-Doctoral Research Associate position is available in the laboratory of Gareth Fraser at the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK. The post-holder will assist with the investigation into the evolution and development of dental patterning and tooth renewal in non-model fish species, i.e. the catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) and the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea). The dentition is an ideal model system to study both developmental patterning and regeneration. The project will focus ondevelopmental and evolutionary studies aimed at identifying the role, expression and interaction of genes responsible for both the establishment of dental pattern and the process of continuous tooth regeneration in chondrichthyans. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent experience in molecular, developmental and/or evolutionary genetics with interests in comparative vertebrate morphology. Experimental work will involve gene expression (in situ hybridisation) and the analysis of gene function (chemical/pharmacological agent assays, cell lineage tracing and gene manipulation techniques). Closing date August 25th. To apply visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs and for informal enquiries contact g.fraser@sheffield.ac.uk

In collaboration with the Natural History Museum London, King's College London and Birkbeck University, the Fraser Lab has been awarded a new research grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, RCUK) - 'Gnathostome dental pattern and the evolution of chondrichthyan dentitions'.