Postdoctoral position in biodiversity assessments using environmental DNA

Published: 2023-03-13

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

Postdoctoral position in biodiversity assessments using environmental DNA

The Department of Organismal Biology teaches and explores the evolution, development and function on the organismal level. For more information see www.iob.uu.se .

The position is placed in the Biodiversity Lab (https://www.iob.uu.se/research/systematic-biology/biodiversity-lab/ ) within the Systematic Biology program at the Department of Organismal Biology (Evolutionary Biology Center, Uppsala University). The position will be part of the SciLifeLab Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) network (https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/about/ ), including unique training and course opportunities within the DDLS network.

At the Biodiversity Lab, we are working on the intersect of computational biology and biodiversity research, developing new computational methods and fieldwork/labwork workflows to quantify the complexity of biodiversity, focusing on terrestrial systems. Our vision is to one day be able to reliably capture the complete biodiversity at a given site in a standardized and reproducible manner. We are a young and dynamic research group with the mission of contributing through our research to alleviating the ongoing biodiversity crisis. We value innovative ideas, a collegial and non-hierarchical atmosphere, and high-quality and high-impact research. And above all we enjoy what we are doing!

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

Duties
The focus of this postdoc position will be to apply and further develop existing environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and processing techniques, with the aim to comprehensively capture the biodiversity at a given site. Initially this work will be focused on one or several specific taxonomic groups (e.g., different groups of fungi, insects), but eventually will be extended to represent biodiversity across the whole tree of life. This work will take place in collaboration with other research groups specialized in eDNA, both based at Uppsala University (e.g., the Rosling Group) as well as at other national and international institutions. Some of the specific tasks for this position will likely include: i) testing combinations of different eDNA sampling techniques in the field, ii) applying lab-protocols to extract and amplify genetic markers for multiple organism groups from eDNA samples, iii) bioinformatic processing of eDNA sequence data, and iv) cataloging and storing eDNA data on the SBDI ASV portal (https://asv-portal.biodiversitydata.se/about) .

Requirements
PhD degree in biology or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in biology. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree less than three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who enjoys challenges and can independently explore new ideas. The ideal applicant has a background in working with genomic data, preferably within the context of eDNA. Fieldwork and/or labwork experience are valued equally as bioinformatic skills. The candidate should have excellent communication skills (spoken and written English).

Additional qualifications
In filling this position, the university aims to recruit the person who, in the combined evaluation of competence, skills and documented qualifications, is judged most suitable to carry out and develop the work-in-hand and to contribute to a positive development of the department. Additional valuable qualifications include coding experience in Python, R, or similar, as well as experience with working on computing clusters. Experience with phylogenetic methods, spatial analyses, and long and short read assembly methods are additional merits that are relevant for the position.

About the employment
The employment is a 2-year appointment, and the candidate will primarily devote the time to his/her own research. Other departmental work, such as teaching or administration can be part of the position (maximum 20 %, extending the position-duration accordingly). Salary placement is in accordance with local guidelines at Uppsala University. The applicant must be eligible for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University.

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %.Starting date 2023-05-01 (May 1st, 2023) oras agreed. Placement: Uppsala

Information about research education can be found at the web site of the Faculty of Science and Technology, https://www.teknat.uu.se/education/

For further information about the position, please contact: Tobias Andermann, [email protected].

Please submit your application by 31 March2023, UFV-PA 2023/980

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Organismal Biology

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100%

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
ST/TCO [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2023/980

Last application date: 2023-03-31

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