The Research Unit of Ecological Genetics at the Department for Forest Biodiversity and Nature Conservation (BFW), Vienna, Austria, is seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher in the field of forest ecological genomics, to work on a recently funded research project on white oak hybridization and adaptation:

Postdoctoral Position
in Ecological Genomics of Hybridization
Full time (40hours/week)

Your responsibilities:

• Focusing on the genetic and ecological mechanisms underlying hybridization and adaptive differentiation among natural populations of white oaks (genus Quercus) in Southeastern Europe
• Analysis of genetic variation from individual whole genomes in relation to climatic and soil site characteristics (landscape genomics) documented during fieldwork
• Identifying the genomic hotspots of introgression to establish a potential link to genetic variation underlying local adaptation along a climatic gradient, and detect where this variation can be found in the present geographic distribution of white oaks
• Planning travel and field activities, lab work (together with lab technicians), as well as a suite of bioinformatic and statistical analyses
• Contributions to project management, outreach and publications, as well as interactions with the scientific board of the project

Your requirements:

• PhD degree (or to be obtained by the time of the start of employment) in a relevant field
• In the ranking of candidates, primary importance will be given to scientific proficiency, with higher weight given for research in population genetics, genomics and bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, landscape genomics, and evolutionary ecology
• Experience in bioinformatic analysis
• Familiarity with field work in forests and nature, and interaction with land owners and forest/land managers as well as forest/nature authorities, preferentially also in other countries in Europe
• Acquaintance with plant DNA work (DNA extraction, quality assessment, library preparation and/or interaction with sequencing centers).
• Demonstrated ability to present, write, and publish peer-reviewed research work (in English)
• Good level of self-organization and willingness to integrate and work in a team, including supervising technicians
• Working knowledge of English is necessary; additional language skills are a plus, especially German and/or Eastern-European languages

We offer:

• A unique opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with a small and focused team engaged in exploring the role of hybridization and genetic introgression in the adaptation of oak trees to changing climates.
• Benefits for our employees, such as grocery vouchers, events, company outings and continuing education courses
• Remuneration is based on the salary table for federal contract employees in evaluation group v1/1. The minimum salary is EUR 3.590,30 gross per month. Depending on additional creditable previous service periods, the salary increases according to the pay level

Other:
This is a temporary position for 24 months, with the possibility for an extension of a maximum of 12 months, starting with the 1st of March 2025 or as agreed.

Reference is made to § 43 in conjunction with § 11b and § 11c of the Federal Equal Treatment Act, according to which women who are equally qualified as male applicants will be given preference.

We look forward to receiving your complete application until the 20th of December 2024 via e-mail (incl. a CV, a letter of intent and at least two references) to Dr. Aglaia Szukala: aglaia.szukala@bfw.gv.at. Please remember to use the subject „Postdoctoral Position in Ecological Genomics of Hybridization” when sending your documents.

For further information, please also contact Dr. Aglaia Szukala via the already mentioned e-mail address.

Bundesforschungs- und Ausbildungszentrum
für Wald, Naturgefahren und Landschaft
Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 8
1130 Wien

Applicants are not entitled to reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs incurred as a result of the admission process.

The data you provide when applying for the BFW will only be used for your application and will not be passed on. If your application is not successful, we will delete your data seven months after completing the application process.