THREE POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN PALAEOGENOMICS AT STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITY WORK DESCRIPTION The Department of Zoology invites applications for three postdoc positions (for two years each) based at the Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG) in Stockholm. The three positions are funded by grants from the European Research Council and the Swedish Research Council. The postdoctoral projects will be aimed at using palaeogenomics to examine the Pleistocene evolution of either small or large terrestrial mammals in the Holarctic. The work will include extraction, sequencing and computational analysis of ancient DNA from specimens collected around the Northern Hemisphere. A large number of samples is 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. More specifically, the three projects will each focus on one taxonomic group: PROJECT 1 (ARCTIC RODENTS): The goal of this project is to analyze ancient DNA from lemming and vole remains that span in age from the present day to more than two million years old. The higher mutation rates and generation times in rodents mean that we can investigate deeper evolutionary histories as compared to large mammals. The main aim is therefore to examine fundamental questions in evolutionary biology regarding the rate of adaptive evolution, and the role of past climate change on speciation and genetic diversity. PROJECT 2 (PLEISTOCENE HORSES): Equids are a classical model of evolution and palaeogenomics has shed new and important light on the history of equids throughout the Pleistocene, including the discovery of previously unknown lineages. In this project, the postdoc will work with remains from the past million years to better understand population histories, admixture events, and the Pleistocene diversity of this iconic group. PROJECT 3 (BROWN BEARS): This project aims to recover genome-wide data from an existing collection of brown bear remains that span hundreds of thousands of years, in order to disentangle how past climate change, human activities, as well as hybridization with polar and cave bears, have shaped the brown bear's range dynamics and present-day gene pool. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT The positions involve full-time employment for two years, with the possibility of extension for one more year under special circumstances (current available funding is however for two years). Start date as per agreement, but ideally before April 2025 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The degree in a relevant subject area (e.g. genetics, evolutionary biology, or bioinformatics) must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the 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. In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills within the subject area. A 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 important 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. MORE INFORMATION AND LINK TO APPLICATION SYSTEM: https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage=job&rmjob=24600&rmlang=UK Love Dalén (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)