Researcher in hybrid epigenetics and gene expression Full-time

Researcher in Hybrid Epigenetics and Gene Expression

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard equality, equal opportunities, and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Subject description

We are recruiting an early career researcher for a career development position within the ERC-funded project “Hybridization Derived Novel Patterns of Gene Expression”.

This project broadly addresses the role of gene expression in how novel, potentially adaptive, variation can arise from hybridization. The main question of the project is the extent to which alterations to chromatin distribution and methylation arise, and how they contribute to altered patterns of gene expression. We have assembled a unique data set of three independent lineages of Italian sparrow Passer italiae and their parental species, with data on gene expression and tissue samples from ca 10 individuals of each sex common garden populations of these. The researcher is expected to take a lead on wet lab extraction strategies for cut-and-run.

The researcher will work in a collaborative lab performing analyses of gene expression, EM-seq, ATACseq, and cut-and-run data, and will analyze and synthesize and write up the work for publication and work closely with the HybridExpress team consisting of a lab manager, a PhD-student, and a post doc.

The project is led by Senior Lecturer Anna Runemark, and set within the SPeciation, Adaptation and Co-Evolution lab in the biodiversity and evolution division.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a researcher position is to conduct research.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Bioinformatical analysis of gene expression data
• Analysis of methylation and histone modifications as well as cut-and-run data, with focus on their effects on gene expression
• Interpretation of bioinformatical results, figure preparation
• Synthesizing the data for publication

The candidate can potentially contribute to the teaching on the bioinformatics program.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to this career development position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of biology or evolutionary biology using bioinformatical approaches and addressing evolutionary questions. While there are no formal career age requirements, the position is aimed for career development for a research career and merits will be considered in the light of the career age.

Further requirements are:

• Strong skills in bioinformatics and epigenetics, including analysis of methylation and histone modifications, gene expression data and/or analysis of hybrid genomes.
• Documented experience in analysis of EMseq data
• Documented ability to develop Nextflow bioinformatics pipelines
• Experience of using nf-core/rnaseq nf-core/methylseq nf-core/differentialabundance nf-core/sarek

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a position intended for career development for a future academic career focused on research. The position is intended as an early step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications i.e. career stage strength of publication record, and their potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject i.e. regulation of gene expression and how epigenetic modification affects this.

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research, assessed by a publication record with strong independent contributions and high-quality publications; and a proven track-record of presenting research findings at international conferences.

Meriting bioinformatics experience is:

• gene annotation with BRAKER and functional annotation with InterProScan and EnTAP
• mapping RNA seq data to a pangenome graph using vg
• experience with hybrid species and transgressive gene expression

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence. Specific consideration will be given to how the candidate fits into the group and how their experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the group and department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time permanent employment, starting 2027-01-01, a 6-month probationary period may be applied.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Résumé/CV (no more than one page Times New Roman 12pt)
• List of publications
• A cover letter detailing how your past research experience fits the position (no more than one page Times New Roman 12pt)
• Contact information for at least two academic references
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate