Postdoctoral Fellow in Wildlife Palaeogenomics

The Department of Zoology is one of the departments at the Faculty of Science with about 50 employees and 40 doctoral students. The main research areas are Ecology, Ethology, Functional Morphology, Systematics and Evolution, and Population Genetics. 

The Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG) is a research centre with world class facilities and expertise for generating and analyzing ancient DNA data. CPG consists of seven group leaders and c. 40 PhD students/postdocs/staff, and is jointly funded by the Swedish Museum of Natural History and the Departments of Geological Sciences, Zoology, and Archaeology at Stockholm University.
More information about us, please visit: the Department of Zoology and the Centre for Palaeogenetics.

Project description

The Department of Zoology invites applications for a postdoc position (for three years) based within Prof. Love Dalén’s research group at the Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG) in Stockholm. The position is funded by a grants from the Swedish Research Council. The postdoctoral project will be aimed at using palaeogenomics to examine the Pleistocene evolution of Arctic terrestrial mammals. The work will include extraction, sequencing and computational analysis of ancient DNA from prehistoric specimens. A large number of samples are already available in the collections at CPG, but there are also possibilities for additional fieldwork. Some of the topics that will be addressed include investigating the tempo and mode of speciation, the degree of hybridization among lineages, as well as the timing, rate and extent of adaptive evolution and demographic change in response to past climatic changes.

Main responsibilities

The position is mainly directed towards research, including recovering and analysing ancient DNA using state-of-the-art palaeogenomic methods, and writing up the results for publication in scientific journals. It is also expected that the successful applicant will participate in the daily activities at the Centre for Palaeogenetics.

Qualification requirements

In order to qualify for a Postdoctoral position, applicants are required to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent relevant degree from another country. The degree must have been completed no later than when the employment decision is made.

Assessment criteria

It is considered an advantage if the doctoral degree or an equivalent degree was completed no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Under special circumstances, an older degree may also be an advantage. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills within the subject area. A high proficiency and demonstrated track-record in wet lab analyses of ancient DNA, handling high-throughput DNA sequencing data using scripts and analysis pipelines, as well as bioinformatics and computational genomics are essential merits. Because the position involves integration within a larger team of researchers and students, personal skills such as good collaborative and analytical skills, ability to work independently and take own initiatives, and a well-developed sense of responsibility are considered additional merits. A strong command of oral and written communication in English is also considered a merit.

About the employment

The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date as per agreement, but ideally before January 1, 2026.

We offer

With us, you will experience the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and get favourable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good transport links to the city.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Love Dalén, love.dalen@zoologi.su.se.

Application

Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.