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 2026 - 11:59 (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

No espere a enviar su solicitud después de leer esta descripción; se espera un gran volumen de candidaturas para esta oportunidad.
Offer Description

The purpose of this contract is to carry out the following duties:

1. Experimental Laboratory Work (Wet Lab)

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• 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)

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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:

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• 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. xghoner
  
• Analysis and visualisation of metagenomic data using RStudio.
  
• Conducting comparative genomic analyses of ancient pathogens, including the construction and inter