Researcher in Biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description
We want to recruit a researcher 80% to the Department of Biology, Lund University. The research focus is to investigate how avian malaria infection will affect ageing (including telomere shortening) in bird hosts and how selection from pathogens results in adaptations in the immune system of the hosts.

Work tasks
The researcher will coordinate the analyses of a large set of blood and RNA samples collected in malaria infection experiments on great reed warblers (60% of work). Moreover, coordinate blood and RNA sampling from wild birds at multiple sites throughout Europe, including catching birds and collecting blood samples from sparrows in the field (20% of work). The work in both sub-projects include leading the work of creating and handling large datasets and data bases, conduct statistical analyses, as well as writing scientific articles to be published in peer-reviewed international journals. The researcher will be part of the research groups of Prof Dennis Hasselquist (ERC Advanced grant EcoImmuneCosts) and Docent Helena Westerdahl (ERC Start-up project ‘Optimal-Immunity’), at the Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab (MEEL), Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden. MEEL constitutes a strong research environment with six senior scientists, their PhD students and post docs, master project students and visiting scientists, in total 25-35 persons. MEEL spans several research areas and many study organisms, and is inter-connected by many within-group collaborations and shared (molecular, immunological, genetic and genomic) methods. The focus of the studies is on wild organisms in their natural environments (and often their parasites and/or immune protection), but also studies on wild caged as well as domesticated animals. For more information about MEEL see:

http://www.biology.lu.se/research/research-groups/molecular-ecology-and-evolution-lab

Necessary qualifications for the position

• PhD in the area of animal ecology or equivalent
• Extensive field work experience (documented) with catching, blood sampling and measuring morphological traits in songbirds
• Documented experience from molecular genetic laboratory work, such as DNA extraction, PCR and Sanger sequencing
• Experience of creating data bases, organizing large numbers of samples and performing statistical analyses using large datasets, preferably at the post-doctoral level
• Ability to conduct research independently as well as part of a research group and in collaborations
• Excellent communication skills, in particular for writing scientific articles for publication in internationally peer-reviewed journals
• A strong drive and experience for planning and leading, push-through and administrate research projects in the field, lab, and at the analyses and writing desk, as well as drive to publish the research results
• Fluent in English (in writing and spoken)

Additional merits for the position

• If the applicant is a member, or preferably leader, of a broad network of bird researchers within Europe it is a plus
• Driving license

It will also be evaluated whether the applicant have good collaborative skills, a strong drive for research and proven experience of independent research, as well as how the applicant through her/his experiences and competence will be able to strengthen ongoing work in the research projects of the two PIs.

Prerequisites for the position

The position is permanent.

It is 80% of a full position.

Application

For more information please contact Prof Dennis Hasselquist (dennis.hasselquist@biol.lu.se)

Instructions for the application

• CV and total publication list
• A general description of previous research experiences and how this match to projects included in the advertised position (maximum 3 pages)
• Copies of PhD examination as well as other certificates/grades you would like to enclose to this application