The Hopkins Lab (www.hopkins-lab.com) in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, is seeking a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join our team. The successful candidate will use computational and experimental approaches to study the architecture and evolution of gene circuits that underlie organ function and development in Drosophila and beyond.

We are an evolutionary and developmental genetics lab, broadly interested in the structure and evolution of the gene circuits that underlie organ development and function. Our work focuses on three sets of questions: how are cell types and their functions encoded in the genome; how does organ-level physiology emerge from the contributions of multiple specialised cell types; and what are the genetic mechanisms through which organs and cell types evolve? We employ a comparative, multi-species approach, with a particular focus on the genetically tractable Drosophilidae family and on rapidly evolving organ classes, such as sensory organs and the prostate-like secretory tissues of the reproductive system. Our work makes use of a wide range of computational and experimental approaches, including gene regulatory network reconstruction, comparative genomics, genome editing, and single-cell ‘omics. Multiple projects are available in these broad areas depending on the successful applicant's interests.

Our lab philosophy follows Daniel Hartl's description of the principles on which James F. Crow ran his lab: 'bringing smart people together to pursue their passions and encouraging interaction, mutual respect and support, constructive criticism, and the free sharing of ideas and resources’. Our immediate lab neighbours have interests in evolutionary biology, comparative genomics, developmental biology, and functional genetics, opening up rich opportunities for interactions and collaboration with like-minded researchers.

The University of Florida is a top 10 public research university based in Gainesville, a vibrant city with a low cost of living, diverse population, excellent public schools, Division I NCAA sports, and no state income tax. The area is known for its nature access—including the Ocala National Forest, crystal-clear creek systems, and expansive wetlands—as well as its bike trails, sporting events, museums, mild winters, and warm summers. Gainesville is just a short drive from some of Florida's most beautiful beaches on both the Atlantic and Gulf sides, and to the cities of Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa.

PhD in Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related fields.

Previous experience working with Drosophila and single-cell data is preferred but not essential.