********************Jobs******************** We are welcoming applications for a 4 year technician position in sedimentary ancient DNA. This position is part of the ERC Synergy "EcoArch: Ecological Archaeologies of the Afrotropics", based at the University of Oslo. EcoArch focuses on disentangling the drivers of landscape and climate change in the Afrotropics since the introduction of domesticated food economies. The four PIs of EcoArch are based at the University of Oslo, the University of Reading and the Pennsylvania State University. More information about the position can be find through the link below: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/298943/head-engineer-in-ancient-dna Sanne Boessenkool (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** We are welcoming applications for a postdoctoral fellow in paleoecology and sedimentary ancient DNA. This position is part of the ERC Synergy "EcoArch: Ecological Archaeologies of the Afrotropics", based at the University of Oslo. EcoArch focuses on disentangling the drivers of landscape and climate change in the Afrotropics since the introduction of domesticated food economies. The four PIs of EcoArch are based at the University of Oslo, the University of Reading and the Pennsylvania State University. More information about the position can be find through the link below: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/298945/postdoctoral-research-fellow-position-in-palaeoecology-and-sedimentary-ancient-dna Sanne Boessenkool (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our lab at Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. The position is funded for two years by the Revive & Restore foundation (project start: April 2026) and focuses on the early development of tortoises in a conservation context. Basic information about the project can be found here: https://reviverestore.org/safeguarding-tortoises-diapause-and-biobanking-for-conservation/ The project aims to apply biotechnological techniques to support endangered tortoise species. You will work on a non-model organism and a rare biological phenomenon (tortoise diapause) using a combination of embryology and cell cultures in a creative environment where you can develop your own ideas,and contribute to a project with real conservation impact. You will be part of an international, collaborative team with strong links to Prague Zoo and other partners. Main responsibilities Develop and optimize cell culture techniques for embryonic and germ cells of tortoises Work with diapausing tortoise embryos and contribute to establishing long-term biobanking protocols Contribute to data analysis, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of results Candidate profile PhD in biology (developmental biology, cell biology, conservation biology, etc.) Strong hands-on experience with cell cultures is essential Experience with embryonic or germ cell culture is an advantage Interest in developmental biology, conservation, and biotechnology Good communication skills and ability to work in an international, interdisciplinary team How to apply Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information for references to: lukas.kratochvil@natur.cuni.cz LukᚠKratochvíl (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=yK6TThoAAAAJ) and collaborators Professor, Department of Ecology Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic LukᨠKratochvíl (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** The Paleogenomics and Evolutionary Biology group at the International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Aut�noma de M�xico (LIIGH-UNAM), is looking for a researcher to work on a project on human pre-hispanic samples from Mexico. The position will start March 2027. LIIGH-UNAM is a internacional renowned research institute in the fields of Human Genomics, Population Genetics, Palogenomics, Rare Disease and Complex diseases. The Paleogenomics and Evolutionary Biology group is interested in better understanding the evolutionary history of multiple organisms that inhabited Mexico (particularly human populations) through the integration of data from multiple disciplines (paleogenomics, archeology, anthropology), and an interdisciplinary interpretation. The postdoctoral researcher will lead a project aimed to better understand the demographic history and social structure of prehispanic populations that inhabited different parts of the current territory of Mexico. The candidate is expected to lead all computation analyses, have an sustancial contribution to generating the data, and work in close contact with anthropologist and archaeologist collaborators. This project is funded through grants assigned to the Paleogenomics and Evolutionary Biology group (i.e. S�nchez-Quinto lab). The postdoc position will be funded through a UNAM's postdoctoral fellowship (DGAPA) which is assigned based on the competitiveness of the candidate CV and application. The position is aiming to start in March 2027. This position offers a unique opportunity to join a vibrant and enriching community at LIIGH-UNAM, undertaking a cutting-edge scientific project involving samples from a rich cultural context, with exciting archeological, social and demographic implications both local and worldwide. Required qualifications are a PhD in paleogenomics, evolutionary biology, genetics, molecular biology, or closely related fields. Candidates must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as an established record of productivity (e.g., at least one first author peer-reviewed publication). Candidates with a past record of publications in population genetics, molecular ecology, or genome biology are strongly preferred. Ideal candidates will have experience in generating and/or analyzing WGS genomic data, performing population genetic and social structure analyses, as well as molecular biology wet lab experience. Contact: Interested individuals should send an email to Federico S�nchez-Quinto at fsanchez@liigh.unam.mx, include the following details: (1) a cover letter addressing your interest in the position and how your expertise meets the position requirements (2) CV (3) Contact information for 3 references, (4) At least one representative publication to the field of study Candidate materials will be reviewed until the position is filled. Dr. Federico A. S�nchez Quinto Investigador Titular A Laboratorio de Paleogen�mica y Biolog�a Evolutiva Laboratorio Internacional de Investigaci�n sobre el Genoma Humano LIIGH-UNAM Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Campus UNAM, 76230, Juriquilla, Qro. M�xico Tel. +52 (442) 238 1000. Ext 34458 "federicosq@gmail.com" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Microbial Predation Conference 2026 Monte Verità, Switzerland July 27-31, 2026 UPDATE: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN (deadline June 12th) Join us in lovely Ticino, Switzerland to discuss what microbial predation looks like, how it originates and evolves, and how it shapes microbial communities. Researchers studying diverse aspects of microbial predation with different predator-prey systems will gather to promote conceptual synthesis across systems and questions. Conference website: https://microbialpredation.ethz.ch Register for conference updates at https://microbialpredation.ethz.ch/registration.html Invited speakers include: Lutz Becks - University of Constance, Germany Antonis Chatzinotas - Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany Yen-Ping Hsueh - Max-Planck Institute for Biology, Tuebingen, Germany Andrew Lovering - University of Birmingham, UK David Queller - Washington University in St. Louis, USA Joan Strassmann - Washington University in St. Louis, USA Renske van Raaphorst - University of Groningen, The Netherlands With the Conference on Microbial Predation 2026, we seek to bring together microbial-predation researchers who rarely meet under a single scientific umbrella, including molecular microbiologists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, theoreticians, and biocontrol researchers, promoting integration across microbial systems and connection with concepts largely associated with macroscopic predators. The conference provides a forum where diverse perspectives can converge to build shared conceptual frameworks, new interdisciplinary collaborations can be initiated, and the global community of microbial-predation researchers can more deeply interconnect. We welcome researchers working with animals who want to think more about microbial predation. Major themes: Molecular mechanisms Behavior Ecology Evolution Social aspects of predation Applications Scientific organizers: Marie Vasse, CNRS - University of Bordeaux, France marie.vasse@u-bordeaux.fr Greg Velicer, ETH Zurich, Switzerland gregory.velicer@env.ethz.ch For administrative questions, please contact us at microbialpredation2026@ethz.ch Velicer Gregory (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)