The Department of Geological Sciences (IGV) at Stockholm University invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position based at the Centre for Palaeogenetics (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 Alfred 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 learn about the project at https://www.awi.de/en/science/geosciences/permafrost-research/projects/flo-char.html and https://asset.mediahub.bnpparibas/is/content/bnpparibas/FLO%20CHAR_film%20Fondation%20BNPP_vEN-0x720-1200k. 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 postdoc 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. Assessment criteria The PhD 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 defence, 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. Selection 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 interviews. 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 advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. Full application requirements and instructions can be found at https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage=job&rmjob#704&rmlang=UK. Closing date: 15 June 2024 Contact For more information, please contact Dr. Peter Heintzman, peter.d.heintzman@geo.su.se. https://palaeogenetics.com/peter-heintzman/ Peter Heintzman (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)