Postdoctoral researcher in plant evolutionary genomics

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, forests, cultivated land and streams, to the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals and populations to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics and combinations of these fields to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current position is placed at Natrium.

We offer

The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means special benefits, more holidays, and a great pension. You can read more about our employment benefits here.

Subject area

Plant evolutionary genomics

Subject area description

What is the legacy of human disturbance on biodiversity? Our project aims to identify long-term anthropogenic impacts on vegetation in a Mesoamerican tropical forest, providing crucial data on how humans shaped the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. We aim to address critical questions on the development of human-plant relationships that remain unanswered: 1. When are human impacts on biodiversity first identifiable and what is the spatial distribution of anthropogenic disturbance? 2. How do subsistence choices impact ecosystem composition? 3. How has tropical forest biodiversity responded to human disturbance following landscape abandonment?

Duties

The postdoctoral researcher will combine genomic data for plants important to Maya societies and subsistence in tropical forests, including cacao (Theobroma cacao) and different palm species (Attalea cohune, Chamaedorea tepejilote), together with data from public databases to

• Assemble and annotate full genomes
• Analyze target sequence capture data (Illumina)
• Model demographic change through time
• Identify signatures of environmental and human selection
• Track plant domestication through space and time

The postdoctoral researcher can also work with ancient soil and sediment samples, depending on interest and experience, to

• Amplify and analyze DNA sequence data from ancient plant communities
• Infer species and abundance turnover in response to climatic and societal change

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to co-supervise PhD, MSc, and BSc students. A teaching agreement with the department may be negotiated based on teaching needs and suitability, for up to 20% of a full-time position.

The postdoctoral researcher will be hosted at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences under the main supervision of Christine D. Bacon. The project is funded by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation grant “Biodiversity and the Legacy of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Ecosystems in the Neotropics (BLADEN)” and is led by Mark Robinson at University of Exeter, UK. The project is associated with the strategic research area Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate and the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre.

There is the possibility of field work in Belize if there is interest from the candidate, and site visits to Exeter are encouraged.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria

Required qualifications for the employment:

• To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree in biology, botany, molecular biology or another relevant topic
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken, in English are necessary since we work in an international environment.
• Knowledge in plant genomics
• Experience with bioinformatics and strong analytical skills in bash, R, python, or other platforms

Desirable qualifications for the employment:

• A strong track record of scientific publications related to plant evolutionary genomics, phylogenomics, and/or population genomics
• Knowledge of the system (tropical plants, domestication)
• Experience in genomic laboratory techniques
• Experience with ancient or sedimentary DNA
• Experience in teaching and mentoring students

The application should preferably be written in English and must include:

• A cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria
• A list of qualifications (CV)
• Certificate of PhD exam
• Complete list of publications, including submitted and accepted manuscripts

The most qualified candidates, in relation to the assessment criteria in the advertisement, are invited for an interview.

Employment

The employment is a temporary employment during two years, full time (100%), placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Starting date January 12th or upon agreement.