Postdoctoral Researcher in Eco-Evolutionary Microbiome and Thermal Biology Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Researcher in Eco-Evolutionary Microbiome and Thermal Biology

The position is part of the research project “From Guts to Growth: Unravelling the Gut Microbiome's Role in Ontogenetic Trajectories toward Climate Stress Resilience” (HOTGUT). The project investigates how environmental stress, the gut microbiome, and host physiology interact across early development to shape growth, metabolism, thermoregulation, and resilience to climate-induced thermal stress. The research uses wild great tits (Parus major) breeding in nest box populations and combines controlled field experiments with laboratory based microbiology, physiological measurements, and bioinformatic analyses.

The successful candidate will take a leading operational role in planning, establishing, coordinating, and conducting the project's research activities. These include experiments on early-life thermal and hormonal stress, microbiome function transmission. The position therefore requires a highly independent researcher who is motivated by combining fieldwork and manipulative studies with laboratory analyses and data analyses.

Work duties include implementing and coordinating research within HOTGUT in close collaboration with the principal investigator and project partners. The successful candidate will be expected to: plan, establish, coordinate, and conduct experimental studies in wild nest-box breeding passerines; collect and process biological samples, including faecal, oral, cloacal, blood, and environmental samples, and contribute to laboratory workflows for microbiome and physiological analyses; perform microbiome laboratory work, including DNA extraction, library preparation, quality control, and preparation for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing; develop, maintain, and apply reproducible bioinformatic and statistical workflows; contribute to data analyses, scientific publications, conference presentations, data and code management, open-science practices, and communication of results to scientific and wider audiences.

Qualification requirements include a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Applicants must have a PhD in evolutionary ecology, ecological physiology, microbiology, bioinformatics, ornithology, or another field relevant to the position. Strong bioinformatic skills and experience with reproducible analysis of amplicon-sequencing data are required. Strong quantitative skills, including advanced statistical analysis in R and experience with mixed-effects and multivariate models are required. Very good oral and written proficiency in English is required. A valid driving licence to be able to perform fieldwork is required.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications include a good ability to develop and conduct high quality research. Teaching skills are also considered. Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific maturity, independence, careful and controlled working practices, problem-solving ability, and the capacity to take responsibility for the practical implementation of the research programme.

Terms of employment include a fixed-term postdoctoral researcher position at 100% of full time for 2 years, starting on March 1st 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is based at the Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden. Fieldwork will be conducted primarily during the bird breeding season and may require flexible working hours during intensive experimental periods.