Call for Applications
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sedimentary Ancient DNA 
(Computational / Bioinformatics Postdoctoral Fellow)

We invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF)
position associated with a new NSERC Alliance-funded collaboration
between the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre and the Hakai Institute
(Tula Foundation). This position will join a coordinated program to
improve sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) methods and reconstruct past
ecosystems from terrestrial permafrost and marine sediment archives,
while helping to build the Canadian Ancient DNA (Can-aDNA) Network.
The position will be a joint appointment between McMaster University
(Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) and the Hakai Institute's Ancient DNA Lab
on Quadra Island, BC (Canada). You will work closely with Dr. Hendrik
Poinar (McMaster University) and Dr. Tyler Murchie (Hakai Institute),
alongside collaborators Dr. Duane Froese at the University of Alberta,
Cooper Stacey at Natural Resources Canada, and other partner institutions
such as the Yukon Government, the University of Victoria, and the
University of British Columbia.

Project overview
Our program aims to:
- Experimentally improve/optimize sedaDNA workflows
  (extraction/purification, library preparation, capture enrichment, and
  metagenomic analysis) for terrestrial permafrost and marine sediments.
- Use these improved methods to reconstruct long-term terrestrial and
  marine ecosystem dynamics across the Quaternary, focusing on Canadian
  relic permafrost deposits and Pacific marine cores around Vancouver
  Island and the Canadian Arctic.
- Build the Canadian Ancient DNA (Can-aDNA) Network, a national platform
  for methodological sharing, training, and coordinated method
  comparisons/validation across Canadian ancient DNA labs.

Focus: Cross-cutting analytics and method development across permafrost
and marine components, with an emphasis on metagenomics, de novo assembly,
classification accuracy, and reproducible and sensitive pipelines. Develop
AI or machine learning classification tools for low read abundance data
and model accuracy and robustness of palaeoecological reconstructions
(using serially sampled temporally discrete isolates).

Example activities:
- Test and optimize pipelines for shotgun, capture-enriched, and
  metabarcoding sedaDNA data, including quality control, taxonomic
  assignment, phylogenetics, and community analyses.
- Evaluate and compare metagenomic classifiers using simulated and
  empirical data to quantify false-positive and false-negative rates.
- Explore machine-learning approaches for improved sedaDNA
  identification and ecological dynamics reconstructions.
- Work with McMaster and Hakai's in-house high-performance computing
  infrastructure systems and bioinformatics teams to support the
  project's analytical needs.

Responsibilities 
- Lead an independent but collaborative research program within your
  thematic area (bioinformatics), including experimental design, data
  generation, analysis, and manuscript preparation.
- Mentor and collaborate with PhD candidates and other trainees working
  on related sedaDNA projects (with 1-2 PhD and/or MSc students).
- Contribute to the Can-aDNA Network, including organizing and
  moderating online seminars, helping coordinate annual symposia, and
  engaging with the national community through the online forum.
- Spend time at both the Hakai Institute Biodiversity Genomics
  facilities on Quadra Island, BC (near the city of Campbell River on
  Vancouver Island) and McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario), and
  other collaborating institutions as needed.
- Present research at national and international conferences and
  contribute to open, reproducible data and method sharing.

Qualifications
Required 
- PhD (completed or near completion) in a relevant field such as ancient
  DNA, molecular ecology, biomolecular archaeology, evolutionary
  genomics, bioinformatics, marine science, Quaternary science, or a
  related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience with ancient or environmental DNA and/or high-
  throughput sequencing data, with contamination control for the wet-lab-
  heavy roles, or with large-scale sequence data analysis and pipelines
  for the bioinformatics role.
- Strong quantitative, analytical, and writing skills, with evidence of
  peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-institution,
  interdisciplinary team and to mentor junior trainees.

Preferred:
- Strong skills in programming (e.g., Python, R, Bash, Machine
  Learning), high-performance computing, and metagenomic analysis; prior
  work with classifier benchmarking or machine-learning approaches is an
  advantage.

Terms and compensation
- Appointment length: 2 years (with the possibility of extension subject
  to funding.)
- Annual salary: CAD $70,000 plus benefits (provided in accordance with
  McMaster University guidelines.)
- Postdoctoral fellows will be employees of McMaster University, working
  closely with and spending time at the Hakai Institute.
- normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.

How to apply
Please submit the following as a single PDF file in MOSAIC:
1. Cover letter (1-2 pages) describing:
   - How your previous experience fits the project(s) and your research
     interests.
   - Your earliest possible start date and any constraints.
2. Curriculum vitae (including full publication list).
3. Contact information for 2-3 referees (no letters required at the
   initial stage).

Review of applications will begin on [February 9, 2026] and continue
until the positions are filled. Informal inquiries are welcome (please
contact Dr. Hendrik Poinar poinarh@mcmaster.ca and Dr. Tyler Murchie
tyler.murchie@hakai.org). .  Only applicants under consideration will
be contacted.

Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the
Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by
the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement.  The diversity of our
workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens
our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement
on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster
University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration
and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment
to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification
of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from
indigenous (First Nations, M??tis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized
communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify
as 2SLGBTQ+.  As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are
invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through
the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire
requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking
groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in
employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement
of Collection for additional information.  Job applicants requiring
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Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247),
or Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or School of
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Pay Transparency Statement
The starting salary will not be less than $47,500 /year.

Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the
needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University
mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for
most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring
flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs
and employee interests.

Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive
interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches
that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible
experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment
process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of
formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If
you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please
reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your
position of interest.

Hendrik Poinar <poinarh@mcmaster.ca>

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