Competition for a research position
A postdoctoral researcher/ research assistant position is now open in a research group led by Dr Małgorzata Pilot at the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The research group is focused on mammalian evolutionary genomics, and this position will be focused on canid genomics. Specific topics to be studied include the evolutionary history of Eurasian Canis species, causes and consequences of admixture among Canis species and subspecies, and the evolution of behavioural traits in the genus Canis.
The position is available for 2 years and 4 months, from April 2021 until July 2023. The position may be extended for a longer period, depending on research funding availability. The research group is based at the Research Station of the Museum and Institute of Zoology (MIZ), Polish Academy of Sciences in Gdańsk, and maintains strong links with the main research facilities of the MIZ in Warsaw.
Work description
This position will involve the analysis of genomic data and preparation of manuscripts for publication, participation in the supervision of PhD students, and contribution to administrative tasks associated with research projects. Depending on the selected candidate’s experience, the position may also involve laboratory work. The position will require learning and development of new methods of data analysis, and therefore strong motivation and willingness to learn is essential. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to grant applications submitted by the group, and will be encouraged to apply for independent funding available for early career researchers. The postdoctoral researcher will thus have the opportunity to propose and explore new research questions within the general remit of the research group.
Requirements
The position requires expertise in evolutionary genomics and/or bioinformatics, and the candidate must either hold a PhD degree in a relevant area or hold a MSc degree and be able to demonstrate research independence. The ideal candidate should have the following skills:
- good knowledge of Linux/Unix environment;
- experience with processing DNA sequence data;
- experience with population genetic data analysis;
- ability to work independently and to communicate with a multi-disciplinary team;
- good scientific writing skills, evidenced by a first authorship of at least one research paper (which will be evaluated in the selection process);
- excellent spoken and written English.
Desirable skills include:
- experience with the analysis of NGS data, including whole-genome sequence data;
- proficiency with at least one scripting language (e.g. Python, Perl, Unix Shell scripts);
- experience with laboratory methods used in experimental population genetics and genomics;
- experience with sample processing for NGS.
Research environment
The research at the MIZ is focused on a broad range of themes in animal biology, including systematics, biogeography, evolutionary biology, ecology and population genetics. Małgorzata Pilot’s research group is part of the Laboratory of the Molecular and Biometric Techniques led by Prof. Wieslaw Bogdanowicz, grouping researchers focused on population genetics, phylogeography and evolutionary genomics of a broad range of animal taxa. MIZ laboratories contain modern equipment for genomic analyses, including Pacific Biosciences RSII long-read sequencer and Illumina MiSeq System. The state-of-the-art ancient DNA laboratory carries out work on mammalian palaeogenetics. The Museum’s zoological collection is among the largest and most valuable in Europe.
Employment conditions
Employment period: 28 months, subject to a 3-month probation period. Start date: 12 April 2021 or as soon as possible after that date. The salary is funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).
Documents required in the application
- Copy of a PhD certificate
- Curriculum vitae including the publication list, with the following statement provided at the end and signed:
“I agree to the processing of personal data provided in this document for realising the recruitment process pursuant to the Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1000) and in agreement with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). I also consent to the processing of my personal data by the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences for the purposes of any future recruitment processes.”
Applications that do not include this statement won’t be considered.
- Motivation letter (maximum one A4 page)
- A copy of one research paper to be evaluated in the recruitment process
- Contact details of two persons who can be contacted for references.
These documents should be sent to Małgorzata Pilot This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 1 April 2021. The title of the message should be “Application for a postdoctoral position in canid genomics”. Informal inquiries can also be addressed to Małgorzata Pilot.
The interviews of shortlisted candidates will take place between 5 and 6 of April via Skype. The candidate selection is expected to be completed by 8 April 2021.
