Postdoctoral position in biology

Halmstad University

Work at a University where different perspectives meet!

Halmstad University adds value, drives innovation and prepares people and society for the future. Since the beginning in 1983, innovation and collaboration with society have characterised the University's education and research. The research is internationally reputable and is largely conducted in a multidisciplinary manner within the University's two focus areas: Health Innovation and Smart Cities and Communities. The University has a wide range of education with many popular study programmes. The campus is modern and well-equipped, and is situated close to both public transportation and the city center.

More information about working at Halmstad University: https://hh.se/english/about-the-university/vacant-positions.html

The School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability
Halmstad university consists of four interdisciplinary schools. The current position is located at the School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability (FIH). Here you get to work in a research and educational environment with a focus on sustainable development and entrepreneurship. The school trains future economists, engineers, environmental scientists and biologists.

More information about the School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability

Description

We are hiring a postdoc to join a research project with the aim to evaluate local and regional population structure in salmonid fish and to investigate whether eDNA can be used to determine genetic population structure and population sizes for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (S. trutta).

Efficient management of fish stock relies on biological monitoring for obtaining precise data on structure and size of populations. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is commonly used to determine species presence and diversity but also hold great potential to obtain population level genetic information from water samples. In addition, eDNA concentration can provide a rapid, cost-effective indicator of abundance and/or biomass for fisheries stock assessments. However, the sensitivity of genetic methods used for analysing eDNA as well as the effect of environmental factors on eDNA concentrations need to be evaluated. In this project we will specifically 1) investigate local and regional population structure using RADseq and evaluate if different genetic techniques for identification of intraspecific genetic differences (RADseq and mtDNA) capture the same population structure, 2) evaluate if eDNA can be used to determine intraspecific genetic difference with the same resolution as tissue samples and 3) evaluate if eDNA quantity correlates with abundance and/or biomass measurements from electrofishing.

The position is a 24 months employment, with the possibility of extension for up to total 36 months. 

Collaborations and research networks

The project is funded by a grant from Naturvårdsverket (Swedish EPA) and FORMAS. You will be based at Halmstad University, School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability. Some tasks will be performed at Lund University, Department of Biology. Supervisors will be Johanna Sjöstedt and Martin Lind. The project is designed to collaborate with and complement the newly financed EU LIFE project Improve Aquatic LIFE where Lund University, through Anders Nilsson, is a beneficiary partner together with several County administration boards, Universities, and Governmental agencies. This position therefore offers great opportunities to establish a broad network of contacts both within academia and with several stakeholders.

Qualifications

 We are looking for a motivated, independent, reliable and conceptually interested postdoctoral fellow, with good ability to manage large experiments and meet deadlines.

To be employed under the postdoctoral agreement, the applicant must have a doctoral degree, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in Biology, Genetics or related subject. The certificate proving this eligibility requirement must be submitted before the employment decision is made. In the first instance, those who have graduated no later than three years before the application deadline should be considered for employment. In special circumstances, leave due to illness, parental leave or similar circumstances, the doctoral degree may have been completed earlier.

Requirements

• Documented experience of laboratory work
• Documented experience of publication in international scientific journals
• Good knowledge of biostatistical and/or bioinformatics programming in relevant languages (such as R, Python or similar)

• Ability to work both independently and in a group
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English

It is preferable that the candidate has:

• ·Experience of laboratory work with molecular genetic techniques (e.g., qPCR, analysis of eDNA, RADseq and/or mtDNA)
• Experience in bioinformatics
• Research experience in local adaptation and genetic differentiation in populations

Salary
Salary is to be settled by negotiation. The application should include a statement of the salary level required by the candidate.

Application
Applications should be sent via Halmstad University's recruitment system Varbi (see link on this page).

How to design your application

For further information are you welcome to contact recruiting manager Charlotte Olsson charlotte.olsson@hh.se,  or Johanna Sjöstedt johanna.sjostedt@hh.se or Martin Lind martin.lind@hh.se

General Information
We value the qualities that gender balance and diversity bring to our organization. We therefore welcome applicants with different backgrounds, gender, functionality and, not least, life experience.
Read more about Halmstad University at http://hh.se/english/discover/discoverhalmstaduniversity.9285.html