Postdoc on palaeogenomics of woolly mammoths

Closing date: November 30th 2026

Project description

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research project funded by ERC (MAMBA, mamba-erc.com), with research partners in Sweden, Poland, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, and Germany. The main goal of MAMBA is to understand the origins of large mammoth bone accumulations and exploring the function they played for the hunter-gatherer societies during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The candidate will conduct both laboratory work and computational analyses of palaeogenomic data from woolly mammoth remains from diverse locations in Central Europe. The aim is to genetically characterize the individuals and groups represented in these locations as well as to track population genomic diversity changes through time.

The 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. In addition to this project, the candidate will be encouraged to expand their research profile by developing new projects and applying for third-party funding. 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 mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualification requirements

The salary is provided as a tax-free scholarship stipend of 32,000 SEK per month. The applicant must have a PhD in genomics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, or a similar subject. The degree must have been completed by the start of the employment.

Assessment criteria

Overall, this is an innovative and collaborative opportunity combining diverse fields to answer outstanding questions about the evolution of woolly mammoths and their role in prehistoric human societies. To be successful, the candidate should be creative and ambitious, and must have a demonstrated track-record of scientific achievements in population genomics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, or a similar subject. Prior experience in palaeogenomics, bioinformatics, and/or computational genomics will be considered important merits. Given the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the MAMBA project, applicants should be good communicators and be happy to work in an international team, 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 21 months. 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: David Díez del Molino (david.diez@zoologi.su.se)

Application

Apply for the position by sending the application as a single pdf to david.diez@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 CTS postdoc application” where XX is your last name.

• Cover letter outlining why you are interested in, and what makes you suitable for, this position. 1-2 pages.
• Your CV, including contact details, degrees and other completed courses, work experience, and a list of publications. 1-3 pages.
• Contact details for 2–3 references.

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