Research Fellow - Vasconcelos Lab

Only online applications submitted through the University of Michigan system by 30 April 2026 (23:59 EST) will be considered. The application must include the following documents written in English as a single pdf called "lastname_firstname":

• 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.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your most relevant publications for the position.
• Contact information of three referees, who can provide a reference based on request and your relation to them.

The Vasconcelos lab at the University of Michigan invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position for the period of one year, potentially extendable to two-years if funding allows. The work is to happen in-person (not remote) and the postdoc will join a project being developed in partnership between PI Thais Vasconcelos and co-PI Eve Lucas and co-PI Nicky Nicolson at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (UK). 

The successful candidate is expected to start ideally in September 2026. The annual salary for the postdoctoral researcher will be approximately $63,480, for a full-time (40 hours per week) position, plus benefits. This position is one year term-limited with possibility of renewal based on availability of work, funding, and satisfactory job performance.

About the project: The broad goal of the project is to advance our understanding of what constitutes a species in highly diverse, taxonomically complex tropical plant lineages. Using Neotropical myrtles (Myrteae, Myrtaceae) as a model system, we are testing whether the high species diversity in this group corresponds to independently evolving lineages or reflects artifacts of species delimitation. The postdoc will be primarily responsible for improving the phylogenomic understanding of Myrcia sect. Myrcia, a clade of about 160 species of neotropical distribution. The postdoc will also conduct a pilot study testing the coherence of different empirical representations of a species description in this lineage, based on a pipeline that integrates genomic and morphological data.

Responsibilities:

• Sampling from herbarium specimens;
• DNA extraction and library preparation using the Angiosperms353 bait kit;
• Performing phylogenomic inference;
• Formatting project outputs using data standards, sharing using open repositories;
• Leading and/or contributing to manuscript writing.

Required qualifications:

• A doctoral degree relevant to the project (e.g., systematics, taxonomy, evolutionary biology, genomics);
• Experience working in a molecular laboratory;
• Ability to conduct independent scholarly work;
• Strong collaboration and communication skills;
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working with fragmented genomic data;
• Experience working with herbarium data;
• Strong bioinformatics skills;
• Strong biodiversity informatics skills;
• Knowledge of phylogenomics and population genetics;
• Knowledge of plant taxonomy.

Why conduct research at the University of Michigan? 

The University of Michigan ranks #9 globally in the TIME World's Top Universities (2026) and offers an exceptional environment for research, combining interdisciplinary collaboration with a strong culture of innovation and public impact. The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department features world-class facilities for genomic and natural history collection work, including the Biodiversity Lab and the UM Herbarium, one of the largest in the U.S. with 1.75 million specimens. Ann Arbor, with its blend of urban and natural attractions, is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S., offering a lively arts and food scene, easy access to nature, and a progressive culture. Together, they provide an inspiring and supportive setting for both professional growth and everyday living.