Postdoctoral Fellow in Palaeogenomics

The Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies is the largest archaeological research environment in Sweden. Both the research and the education at the Department comprise different areas and time periods. The Department consists of six sections: Archaeology, Stockholm Numismatic Institute, Archaeological Research Laboratory, Osteoarchaeological Research Laboratory, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History and the Centre for Palaeogenetics.

Project description
The Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies is seeking a 3-year postdoctoral researcher in palaeogenomics with placement at the Centre for Palaeogenetics. The postdoc will join the First Contact project, funded through a grant from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The postdoctoral project is aimed at analyzing ancient DNA from sediments dated to the Late Pleistocene, with a primary focus on lake and fjord sediments collected on Greenland during the Geoeo24 expedition.

The project will include laboratory work such as extracting and sequencing DNA from the lake cores as well as metagenomic and barcoding techniques for generating and analyzing the data. The main goal of the project is to analyses the genetic data in the light of what we know about the earliest humans on Greenland.

Main responsibilities
The position is mainly directed towards research and initiations of externally financed research projects. In addition, the holder is expected to participate in teaching and supervision of students (maximum 20 %) on basic and/or advanced levels. The position is mainly directed towards research, including recovering and analyzing ancient DNA recovered using high-throughput sequencing technologies, writing up the results for publication in scientific journals, and disseminating findings in media and at scientific conferences. It is also expected that the successful applicant will participate in the daily activities at the Centre for Palaeogenetics.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree 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 analyses of ancient DNA is essential. An ability to handle high-throughput DNA sequencing data using scripts and analysis pipelines, as well as skills in bioinformatics and computational genomics, are considered as important merits. Knowledge in any of the fields archaeology, palaeontology, evolutionary biology, geology, and/or ecology are also considered as merits. Since 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 well-developed ability and track-record of oral and written communication in English is also considered an important merit.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date will be the 1 January 2025 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from professor Anders Götherström, anders.gotherstrom@geoeo24.polar.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

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 job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references (who will be contacted only in case of shortlisting)

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining why you are interested in, and suitable for, the position
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Copy of PhD diploma

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

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