Postdoctor on palaeogenomics of cold adaptation

Closing date: April 10th, 2026

Project description

The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary research project funded by the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), with research partners in Sweden, Spain, the UK and the USA. The overall project is aimed at understanding the molecular basis of cold adaptation in vertebrates, including mammoths, lemmings and ptarmigan, with particular focus on thermosensation genes, using a combination of genomics, structural and functional protein analysis, as well as computational modelling. As part of this project, the Stockholm team will use hybridization capture and palaeogenomics methods to reconstruct adaptive evolution across hundreds of thousands of years. The postdoctoral work done at the Centre for Palaeogenetics will primarily focus on Arctic rodents, and will involve:

1) Design of a hybridization capture arrays to enrich cold adaptation genes from ancient DNA libraries.

2) Laboratory analysis to generate temporal genomic datasets targeting evolutionary change from multiple Arctic vertebrates.

3) Computational analysis of the resulting data to identify the timing, rate and extent of evolutionary change and how these are related to past environmental change.

The successful candidate is expected to take full responsibility for the practical design and implementation of the experiments, and take a leading role in the collection and analysis of the resulting data as well as writing of manuscripts. The candidate is also expected to contribute to the overall scientific community at the Centre for Palaeogenetics, present results at national and international conferences, and will also be given the opportunity to mentor graduate and undergraduate students at the Centre.

Qualification requirements

The salary is provided as a tax-free scholarship stipend of 32,000 SEK per month. Only candidates with a doctoral degree, or similar equivalent, acquired in a country other than Sweden are eligible to apply. The applicant must have a PhD in genomics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, or a similar subject, from a non-Swedish accredited college/university. The degree must have been completed by the start of the employment. Overall, this is an innovative and collaborative opportunity combining diverse fields to answer outstanding questions about the evolution of Arctic vertebrates. To be successful, the candidate should be creative and ambitious, and must have a demonstrated track-record of scientific achievements in genomics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, or a similar subject. Prior experience in palaeogenomics, hybridization capture, bioinformatics, and/or computational genomics will be considered important merits. Given the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the HFSP project, applicants should be good communicators and be happy to work in an international team, spread across three countries, as well as capable of working independently to solve challenging technical problems. The working language is English.

Other information

The position is a full-time stipend for two years. As this is a stipend, the position is considered educational and the PI is the educational host. Consequently, it is also important to note that the position does not entail entitlements such as, for example, sick leave pay, parental leave pay, or pension contributions. However, The university’s policy states that stipend holders who are not covered by any health or parental insurance may retain their scholarship during periods of illness or parental leave. Also, stipend-funded postdoc students admitted to Stockholm University are covered by the university’s personal injury insurance when at work, and during direct travel between their home and the university. The start date is flexible, but ideally as soon as possible. Stockholm University and the Centre for Palaeogenetics strive to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position as well as the research project can be obtained from the host: Professor Love Dalén (love.dalen@zoologi.su.se)

Application

Apply for the position by sending the application as a single pdf to love.dalen@zoologi.su.se It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. Please include the following information in your application as a single combined pdf file titled “XX HFSP postdoc application” where XX is your last name.

• Cover letter outlining why you are interested in, and what makes you suitable for, the position. No more than 2 pages and preferably with some reference to the relevant literature.
• Your CV – including contact details, degrees and other completed courses, work experience, and a list of publications
• Contact details for 2–3 reference persons

Note: if you are selected , a copy of your PhD diploma or similar certificate will need to be provided before the start date.