Postdoctoral position (two years) in forecasting experimental evolution - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University seeks a highly motivated postdoc with interest in evolutionary biology and microbiology. The research is focused on understanding the predictability of evolutionary processes. The position is full time for two years starting July 1, 2020 or by agreement.

Project deskription and work tasks

The successful applicant will participate in a research group with projects that focus on the potential to predict evolutionary processes in bacterial model systems. Forecasting requires predictions to be made on several biological levels:

• Modelling of genotype-to-phenotype maps
• Bioinformatics prediction of mutational effects
• Influence of mutational biases
• Prediction of available phenotypic solutions and their fitness effects

The experimental part of the projects includes massively parallel experimental evolution with Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter bacteria to identify and characterize mutants with increased ability to form biofilms or increased antibiotic resistance, combined with genome sequencing, genetic engineering and phenotypic and fitness assays.

Part of the work is expected to be hands-on in the laboratory, but there is also a significant theory/bioinformatics component and the relative weight of laboratory vs. theoretical work can be decided dependent on the candidate’s interests and qualifications. The post doc will have significant possibilities to influence the direction of the work and will also have the opportunity to develop an independent line of research that can be pursued further after the postdoc period.

Qualifications

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in microbiology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology or similar research areas qualifies for employment as a postdoctoral fellow. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances.

Qualified applicants should have documented experience in one, or several, fields related to the project such as experimental evolution, bacterial genetics, bioinformatics and standard molecular biological techniques. The applicant should also have a strong interest in understanding and predicting evolutionary processes on different biological levels.

Successful candidates must be able to carry out independent scientific research and be able to write scientific manuscripts. All communication in the research group is in English and therefore excellent communication skills in written and spoken English are required.

Scientific qualification will be the primary evaluation criteria and is based primarily on quality and quantity of scientific publications considering the time since PhD degree.  The general evaluation criteria are good collaborative skills as well as possession of the ability and suitability necessary to execute the work tasks as well as a strong interest in the research area of evolutionary forecasting.

Application

The application should contain:

• A cover letter describing yourself, your qualifications and research interests and a motivation to why you are interested in this position
• A curriculum vitae (CV) with information about education and previous and current positions
• A list of publications including a brief description of your contribution to your most important papers
• Verified copies of PhD certificate and other relevant certificates

• Names and contact details with e-mail addresses of at least two academic reference persons

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Last day to apply is June 1, 2020.

For more information, please contact Assistant Professor Peter Lind, peter.lind@umu.se.

The Department of Molecular Biology

The department provides a vibrant interfaculty research environment and there is access to a wide range of state-of-the-art imaging, metabolomics, genomics and screening facilities. The department is also host to the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), which is internationally well-connected through the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Nordic Partnership for Molecular Medicine.

More about the Department of Molecular Biology: www.umu.se/en/department-of-molecular-biology/