Selection Of Research Staff For The Project "Biocultural Roots Of Diversity And Inequality In Mexico: 500 Years Of Mestizo Stories"

Organisation/Company UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 13 Nov ***:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
The purpose of this contract is to carry out the following duties:
1. Experimental Laboratory Work (Wet Lab)
Carry out laboratory protocols in high-security facilities (clean rooms) for the processing of osteological and dental remains, including ancient DNA extraction and genomic library preparation.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory methodologies, including the integration of automation systems (liquid handling) and quality control platforms to optimise ancient DNA yields.
Coordinate and perform enrichment capture procedures (where applicable) and the final preparation of samples for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).
2. Data Analysis and Bioinformatics (Dry Lab)
Run and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for the processing of raw sequencing data, read alignment, quality control and authentication of ancient DNA (assessment of post-mortem damage patterns and contamination estimation).
Lead the statistical analysis of genomic data to address the project's research questions concerning the identification of pathogens responsible for infectious diseases.
Organise, curate and maintain the genomic databases generated by the project, ensuring their proper integration with archaeological, isotopic and historical metadata.
3. Research Development and Interdisciplinary Integration
Actively contribute to the planning and design of sampling and analysis strategies, in line with the scientific objectives of the main project.
Work closely with archaeologists, physical anthropologists, historians and isotope specialists to ensure a holistic interpretation of genomic results within their biocultural and social context.
Contribute to the drafting and publication of scientific papers in high-impact international journals, as well as to the preparation of reports for funding agencies.
4. Training, Supervision and Science Communication
Contribute to the practical and academic training of undergraduate, master's and predoctoral students, as well as technical staff, providing training in both clean-room protocols and the use of bioinformatics tools.
Represent the project by presenting research results and findings at scientific meetings, symposia and international conferences.
Support the technical coordination of the laboratory, ensuring compliance with biosafety regulations and the proper functioning of equipment.
Participate in science communication and public engagement activities related to the project.
Requirements
Research Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
PhD in Biological Sciences or a related field.
DOCTORAL PI: R3 (Researcher with a PhD awarded more than 4 years prior to the publication date of the call for applications).
Specific Requirements
Demonstrable experience in the following activities:
Ancient DNA extraction from bone remains, teeth and dental calculus.
Preparation of libraries for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), including double-stranded library preparation methodologies.
Capture and enrichment of human and pathogen DNA using commercial kits, such as myBaits®, as well as in-solution capture methodologies, including Whole-Genome InSolution Capture (WISC).
Filtering, trimming and initial processing of paleogenomic data using tools such as AdapterRemoval, Trim Galore and Trimmomatic, as well as specialised pipelines, including nf-core/eager.
Assessment and authentication of ancient pathogen DNA using tools such as mapDamage.
Read mapping and alignment using BWA and Bowtie2.
Identification and analysis of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) using tools such as GATK.
Identification and taxonomic classification of sequences using Kraken2 and MALT.
Analysis and visualisation of metagenomic data using RStudio.
Conducting comparative genomic analyses of ancient pathogens, including the construction and interpretation of phylogenetic trees to infer evolutionary relationships using tools such as IQ-TREE, RAxML and BEAST2.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Languages SPANISH Level Excellent
Research Field Biological sciences
Additional Information
Full-time contract tied to the \"Molecular Archaeology\" research line, with a gross monthly salary of €3,** (12 payments/year, including prorated extra payments) and an estimated end date of November 30, **.
Selection process
Passport
Copy of the degrees requested in the call
Academ