Postdoctoral Fellow in Evolutionary Systems Biology

The Department of Zoology is one of the departments within the Faculty of Science and has approximately 80 employees including researchers, PhD students, and administrative staff. Research and education at the department occurs in an international environment and is focused on animal biology. Outstanding and high impact research is conducted in a variety of fields, including evolutionary biology, molecular and population genetics, genomics, conservation, and behavior.

SciLifeLab is a premier Swedish national research infrastructure dedicated to advanced molecular biosciences. In Stockholm, SciLifeLab is located on Campus Solna, where research groups from Stockholm University, the Royal Institute of Technology, and the Karolinska Institute conduct internationally outstanding research in the life sciences.

More information about us, please visit: the Department of Zoology.

Project description

We seek two highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to develop new mathematical and computational methods for modeling developmental and evolutionary dynamics. The positions are based in Assistant Professor Lisandro Milocco’s research group at Stockholm University and SciLifeLab, within Sweden’s national Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) program funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

There are two possible research directions. Depending on expertise and interest, the successful candidate may focus on one or combine aspects of both.

The first direction concerns the data-driven discovery of dynamical rules underlying developmental trajectories. The aim is to develop and analyze quantitative frameworks that learn dynamical structure directly from time-series data. This includes methodological work on nonlinear state-space reconstruction, system identification, reservoir computing and related recurrent architectures, with emphasis on robustness, generalization, and performance in high-dimensional and noisy biological datasets. See this publication for additional details: https://doi.org/10.1111/ede.12449.

The second direction explores how developmental processes shape and constrain phenotypic variation. Although phenotypic datasets are often high-dimensional, variation frequently lies along a much smaller number of effective directions. This suggests that evolution operates within a restricted space of developmentally possible forms. This project aims to identify such low-dimensional structure from phenotypic data and incorporate it into mathematical models of trait evolution across phylogenies. The work combines dimensionality reduction and geometric data analysis with the development of statistically rigorous comparative methods for continuous trait evolution.

We welcome candidates with strong backgrounds in quantitative biology, applied mathematics, physics, computational science, statistics, or related fields.

Main responsibilities

The positions involve primarily research within the described projects. The successful candidates are expected to develop new quantitative methods, implement and validate computational frameworks, perform simulation studies, and apply developed methods to empirical datasets. The positions do not involve any lab work. The work includes mathematical modeling, algorithm development, statistical analysis, and scientific programming.

The postdoctoral fellows are expected to contribute actively to the intellectual environment of the research group, collaborate with other researchers within the department and SciLifeLab, present results at international conferences, and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals. Some supervision of students may be included.

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.

The doctoral degree should be in quantitative fields of biology (e.g., systems, evolutionary, computational), applied mathematics, physics, computational science, statistics, or related field.
In the appointment process, special attention will be given to:

• Documented ability to conduct high-quality independent research
• Mathematical and quantitative training
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: dynamical systems, nonlinear time-series analysis, system identification, reservoir computing, manifold learning, geometric data analysis, or phylogenetic models of trait evolution
• Ability to collaborate and contribute to an interdisciplinary research environment.

Scientific originality, analytical maturity, and the potential to contribute to the long-term development of the research area will be given significant weight.

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 soon as possible or as per agreement.

We offer

• A professionally stimulating, interdisciplinary, and diverse work environment. Flexibility for the applicant to develop their own interests, with guidance and support from both the advisor and the department.
• Opportunities for a research stay in a collaborators' home University, as well as support for attendance at national and international conferences.
• Joining the Data-Driven Life Sciences initiative – one of Sweden’s largest and most ambitious research initiatives, focusing on using data, computational methods, and artificial intelligence to study biological systems, offering ample opportunity for networking and collaboration.
• Access to advanced computing facilities via the Swedish National Supercomputer Centre and SciLifeLab.
• Attractive welfare benefits and the advantage of Stockholm’s family-friendly surrounding.

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 Asst. Prof. Lisandro Milocco, lisandro.milocco@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.