News
December 2025
Postdoctoral Researcher opportunity
The PIC2 Ring Project is opening a competition for a postdoctoral researcher interested in investigating the changes at the genomic and microbiota level that facilitate the adaptation of pest insects to the application of insecticides in a context of climate change during the year 2026.
We are looking for a researcher with a background in evolutionary biology and/or population genetics, who also has demonstrable experience in massive sequencing analysis and bioinformatics analysis in one of the following topics: Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS), metabarcoding and genotype-environment association studies.
Applications should be submitted by sending a CV, cover letter, academic degree certificate, and two academic references, with a deadline of December 31, 2025.
Download the complete competition rules here
November 2025
Opportunity for a Master's thesis student
The PIC2 Ring Project is launching a call for applications from master's students interested in developing their theses during 2026, focusing on questions about genetic structure, demography, and adaptation in insect pests. This opportunity is open to current students enrolled in the Master's Program in Biological Sciences or Genetics at the University of Chile, and in the Master's Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Talca, who will begin their theses next year.
We are looking for someone with an interest in evolutionary biology, population genetics, and bioinformatics, with independent use of computational environments, especially command-line tools. Experience in genomic analysis, use of R, and knowledge of HPC will be considered an asset.
The thesis will last ten months with full-time dedication, funded by the PIC2 Ring Project. Applications are made by sending a CV, letter of motivation, transcript of grades and an academic reference to the project email, with a deadline of December 19, 2025.
November 2025
Genetics and Genomics of Populations Course
Over six days, combining lectures and practical workshops, the course will cover topics ranging from the fundamentals of population genetics to gene flow, demography, natural selection, local adaptation, and genotype-environment association. The practical sessions will be conducted with the support of the National Laboratory for High-Performance Computing (NLHPC), using the Guacolda-Leftraru Epu supercomputer, which will allow participants to perform real-world analyses in an HPC environment.
This version of the course places special emphasis on approaches applied to invasion genomics, although examples in native species will also be explored. It is aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students (Master's and PhD), as well as researchers in biology, bioinformatics, and related disciplines interested in the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS).
The course is free and is funded by the PIC² Ring Project (ANID ATE230025) and sponsored by the Chilean Society of Evolution (SOCEVOL).
📅 Applications open until December 23, 2025.
For more information and the application form, please see:
👉 https://www.nlhpc.cl/eventos/workshop-genomica-de-poblaciones
October 2025
Successful participation in FECI 2025
On October 5th, our team participated in the 2025 Science Festival (FECI), with activities in the Metropolitan Region and the O'Higgins Region.
In a family-friendly atmosphere celebrating knowledge, educational materials on Triatoma infestans and Drosophila suzukii were presented, generating great interest among children, young adults, and adults. The event was a valuable opportunity to bring science closer to the community and combat misinformation and fake news.
