Postdoctoral Researcher, IsoMuseomics

The Finnish Museum of Natural History LUOMUS at the University of Helsinki invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher, IsoMuseomics for a fixed-term period of three years. The work will be based at the Finnish Museum of Natural History LUOMUS at the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. The postdoctoral researcher will join the IsoMuseomics project, and work under the supervision of Kyung Min Lee, the Head of DNA Laboratory and University Researcher. This position is part of Lee’s four-year Academy Project, funded by the Research Council of Finland. The successful candidate is expected to start ideally by September 2026.

About the position

The IsoMuseomics project aims to trace genomic changes across a wide time span - up to 200 years - to understand how environmental changes have impacted their genomic diversity. The project focuses on Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) as model system, that are currently threatened or vulnerable, which serve as important ecological indicator. By analysing historical specimens from museum collections (dried and pinned specimens), we can investigate how these changes are encoded in their DNA, across both spatial and temporal scales. The majority of genomic data will be generated from historical museum specimens, which typically yield highly fragmented DNA.

The postdoctoral researcher will be primarily responsible for:

• Designing and analysing genomic datasets derived from fragmented whole-genome data
• Conducting genome assemblies and SNP calling
• Performing phylogenomics and population genomic analyses
• Contributing to manuscript writing

Qualifications

The position requires:

• A doctoral degree relevant to the project (e.g., biology, genomics, evolutionary biology)
• Less than seven years since obtaining the PhD
• Ability to conduct independent scholarly work
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Teaching skills necessary for the position
• Excellent written and spoken English skills

Highly valued qualifications:

• Experience working with highly fragmented genomic data and museomics
• Strong bioinformatics skills
• Proficiency in command-line scripting and programming
• Knowledge of phylogenomics and population genetics

The starting gross monthly salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be ca. 3600 - 4000 euros depending on the appointee's qualifications and experience, based on level 5 in the salary system of Finnish universities. A six-month trial period will be applied. The working hours of the postdoctoral researcher will be 1612 hours on a yearly basis as they will belong to the annual workload scheme of research and teaching staff.

The postdoctoral researcher should reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.

How to apply?

Only online applications submitted through the University of Helsinki recruiting system by 22 May 2026 (23:59 EEST) will be considered. The application must include the following documents written in English as a single pdf called “lastname_firstname”:

1. Motivation letter (max. one page). Please state your research interests and address the qualifications listed above, outlining why you are the right person for this position. Also, indicate what is your earliest starting date, if you are selected for the position.
2. Curriculum vitae (max. two pages), including a list of your most relevant publications for the position.
3. Contact information of three referees, who can provide a reference based on request and your relation to them.
4. Degree certificate

Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline, after which the top candidates will be invited for interviews. Selected candidates will receive a pre-assignment prior to the interview. The interviews will be held in June 2026 via Zoom.

Further information

For information about the position, please contact Kyung Min Lee: Kyung.m.lee@helsinki.fi
For information about the recruitment process and recruitment system, please contact recruitment: recruitment@helsinki.fi