We are opening two research positions in bioinformatics and physical anthropology linked to the research project posted below. The applicant must be within 6 years of their MSc graduation. Holding a PhD is desirable but not required. If you are interested AND you have relevant experience, please send your cv or motivation letter to luca.pagani@unipd.it and adeline.morez@unipd.it by the 17th March 2026. Start date: anytime after 15th of April 2026. Duration: 24 months. Salary range: 1800-2500 EUR after all taxes (depending on experience and seniority) Work place: Molecular Anthropology lab, Department of Biology, University of Padova PI: Prof. Luca Pagani Position 1: A bioinformatic position to implement an aDNA and metagenomics bioinformatic pipeline. Position 2: A physical anthropology/palaeopathology position focused on the study of the mostly unexamined Anthropology collection of the Department of Biology (hosted at the Museum of Nature and Humankind of the University of Padova). The collection hosts around 1000 Italian human remains ranging fromthe Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Some background about the project: The Po Valley, a critical corridor connecting Europe to the Mediterranean Basin, has played a pivotal role in human migration and cultural exchange since the earliest settlement of Europe (~45 kya). Despite its importance, ancient DNA from this region remains understudied, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of how past migrations shaped genetic diversity, cultural transformations, and health-related traits across Europe. Our FIS3 POPCORE project, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, aims to generate high-resolution genomic data from Italian human remains spanning the Neolithic to the present day, leveraging the extensive Anthropology Collection of the University of Padova. Our team: The successful candidates will join the dynamic Molecular Anthropology Lab, comprising one professor, one associate professor, two postdocs and two PhD and several Master students. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with Dr Nicola Carrara (Museum of Nature and Humankind, University of Padova) and the broader Anthropopgen research network (www.anthropopgen.it). Luca Pagani (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)