Postdoctoral Fellow in Sedimentary Palaeogenomics

Ref. No. SU FV-1714-24

at the Department of Geological Sciences and Centre for Palaeogenetics . Closing date: 15 June 2024.

Stockholm University is a leading European university in one of the world’s most dynamic capitals. The University has more than 33,000 students, 1,600 doctoral students and 5,500 staff members active within the natural sciences and humanities.

The Department of Geological Sciences is one of the departments at the Faculty of Science with courses at master's, bachelor's and orientation levels. The department supports a broad range of basic research within marine geology, geochemistry and classical geology.

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 30 PhD students/postdocs/staff, that is jointly funded by the Swedish Museum of Natural History and the Departments of Geological Sciences, Zoology, and Archaeology at Stockholm University.

Project description
The Department of Geological Sciences (IGV) invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position based at CPG on the Stockholm University campus.

The position forms a part of the Fluxes from Land to Ocean: How Coastal Habitats in the Arctic Respond (FLO-CHAR) project , which is funded through the BNP Paribas Foundation and co-ordinated by the Afred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Potsdam, Germany. The overall goal of the project is to resolve our understanding of changing Arctic land-ocean matter fluxes, permafrost thaw and associated impacts in one of the most rapidly changing ecosystems on Earth, the Arctic coastal environment. You can hear about the project here .

The postdoctoral project aims to provide baseline data of past coastal biodiversity, and identify responses of Arctic coastal ecosystems to environmental change over the past ~1000 years by applying ancient DNA approaches to shallow marine sediments in the Beaufort Sea. These data will be used to investigate the consequences of (1) sea ice reductions on the population connectivity and range expansion of key vertebrate resources, and (2) increased organic matter input on benthic microbial and planktonic communities. Sediment cores for these analyses were recently collected by the FLO-CHAR team in Spring 2024.

The postdoctor will join the CPG/IGV research group led by Peter Heintzman , which focuses on developing and using (sedimentary) ancient DNA methodologies to address a broad variety of questions in ecology and evolution, and will work in close collaboration with Matt O’Regan at IGV.

The main tasks for the candidate are directed towards recovering and analysing sedimentary ancient DNA data, using a combination of state-of-the-art metabarcoding, shotgun metagenomics, and target enrichment approaches, and testing methodologies where necessary, to address the research questions. The candidate will also have the opportunity to be involved in geochemical and palaeoenvironmental data generation and analysis. The selected candidate will be expected to collaborate with project partners at AWI and the University of Basel, publish their results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and present their findings at national and international conferences. It is also expected that the successful applicant will participate in the vibrant daily activities at CPG, and attend relevant meetings and seminars at IGV.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for the purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria and selection
The degree must have been completed at the latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the application closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons 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 candidate should have a strong set of research skills within the subject area, including a demonstrated track-record of (1) applying one or more of the three key state-of-the-art methods listed above for generating (sedimentary) ancient DNA data, (2) handling high-throughput DNA sequencing data using scripts and bioinformatics analysis pipelines in High Performance Computing environments, and (3) analysing and converting pipeline outputs into publishable products. The candidate should also have a good working knowledge of ancient DNA methodology, especially in sedimentary contexts. Knowledge of evolutionary biology and/or palaeoecology, especially from northern North America, is considered a merit.

We are looking for a creative, responsible, and highly motivated person who can work both independently and in collaboration with others. Selection among eligible candidates is based on both their expected capacity to complete the project tasks and their suitability for working at both CPG and IGV. The appointment process will consider the applicant's documented knowledge and skills, quality of English language communication, capacity for analytical thinking, ability to take initiative, publication record (articles in peer-reviewed international journals of good quality), experience in organising or leading work tasks, research activity (networks, funding applications/awards), and communication skills (conference presentations, outreach). The evaluation is based on previous education and experience, quality of previous published research, ambition expressed in the motivation letter, description of the proposed project organisation, professional recommendations and, potentially, interviews.

Terms of 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 (current available funding is for two years). Start date as per agreement but ideally by Sept/Oct 2024.

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 Dr. Peter Heintzman, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , and [email protected] (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. 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. We recommend that you submit your application, including the necessary documents, in English. 

Please include the following information with your application:

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for two references

In addition, please include the following documents:

• Cover letter (max. two pages) outlining why you are interested in, and how you would organise, the project, as well as your suitability for the position.
• CV –degrees and other completed courses, relevant skills and work experience in geochemical and ancient DNA analyses.
• Publication list (peer-reviewed).
• Copy of PhD diploma. If your PhD is not yet completed, please give the anticipated date of completion.
• Up to five selected publications.

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

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

URL to this page
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