Researcher in hybridization and copy number variation Full-time

Researcher in Hybridization and Copy Number Variation

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 Runemark lab, working in and the VR-funded project “The Role of Novel Patterns of Gene Expression in Hybrid Adaptation”.

These projects broadly address the role of gene expression in how novel, potentially adaptive, variation can arise from hybridization. The main question of the project is how structural variants, and in particular copy number variation (CNV) contribute to this.

We are currently collecting a unique dataset of yeast hybrids and their founder strains under several stress conditions and induced rounds of meiosis to further our insights in this field.

The researcher will work in a collaborative lab performing analyses of structural variants in parent species and hybrid lineages focusing on copy number variation and its effects on gene expression, and will analyze and synthesize and write up the work for publication and work closely with the Runemark Lab team consisting of a lab manager, a PhD-student, and two post docs.

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 Copy Number Variation and genomic predictors of CNVs including transposable elements and methylation
• Analysis CNV variation in hybrids and parental species, with focus on the 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 evolutionary genomics. 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:

• Expertise in detecting and analyzing copy number variation and investigating its functional and evolutionary significance.
• Experience in transcriptomic analysis, including RNA-seq data processing, differential gene expression analysis, and functional interpretation.
• Experience developing statistical methods and bioinformatics tools for genomic data analysis.
• Proficiency in analyzing large genomic and transcriptomic datasets using R, Perl, and Unix.
• Experience of short-term independent running of a microbial lab

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 and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject i.e. evolutionary genomics, particularly in analyzing structural variants in form of Copy Number Variation.

• 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 demonstrated ability to communicate research findings at international conferences.
• A proven track record of developing own research, assessed by a track record of highly-merited grant proposals.
• Strong skills in bioinformatics, including analysis of methylation and histone modifications, gene expression data and/or analysis of hybrid genomes.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, and how the applicant's experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time permanent employment, a 6-month probationary period may be applied starting 2026-12-15.

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