Post-doctoral fellow in Sensory Biology: invertebrate vision, scRNA-seq - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

This two-year ERC-funded postdoctoral researcher position will involve establishing single-cell transcriptomic atlases for the eyes and optic lobes of three invertebrates with unique and elaborate colour and polarisation visual systems: mantis shrimp, water fleas, and firefly squid. These species have been chosen to probe the evolution of advanced visual capabilities such as colour and polarisation discrimination at a cellular and molecular scale. This project will connect with the broader project on these animals that will discover the organization of their visual circuits, how they are shaped by the environment, and how they control navigation, hunting, and communication behaviours.

The candidate will collect and process the retinal and optic lobe tissue from each animal. They will then work with colleagues at Lund and international collaborators to establish single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-seq transcriptomic sequencing pipelines. They will use bioinformatic approaches to analyse the resulting data and in situ hybridization (including HCR) to localise cell types of interest in the eyes and optic lobes. These data will be compared with related model species with less complex eyes.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The work duties include:

• Research within the area of next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics and invertebrate visual ecology. The successful candidate will work full time on the above outlined research project. It is expected that they will actively and creatively develop and optimize the detailed methods to pursue the overall project goals.
• All work will be carried out embedded in a collaborative research team, requiring sharing of expertise, open discussion of results and facilitating experiments of other team members.
• Active participation at international conferences is expected, as well as dissemination of results in peer reviewed publications.
• While not the focus of the position, teaching at master’s student level (lecturing, tutoring) is possible, covering neurobiological and sensory biology content.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding with the goal of transitioning to an independent researcher following the completion of this project.
• Outreach activities to communicate with wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has 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. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• A PhD within the subject of biology or specific fields related to the project (bioinformatics, molecular biology, cellular biology) completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision.
• Documented knowledge and experience with:
  • the establishment of single-cell RNAseq acquisition methods for non-model invertebrates
  • bioinformatic analysis pipelines (including programming experience) for the assembly of single cell transcript atlases 
  • genomic assembly approaches
  • molecular techniques including in situ hybridization
• Knowledge of the fields of invertebrate visual ecology, sensory biology, and neurobiology.
• The candidate must be highly motivated and eager to engage in challenging problems.
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English. 

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial 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.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills

Additional assessment criteria:

• A proven track record of independence in research with the above duties and qualifications

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, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply

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

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.