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The Department of Ecology

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to a project focusing on the genomic footprints of demographic and evolutionary responses to changed agricultural practises and climate in northern wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe). You will be part of a strong international research team with competence ranging from evolutionary ecology, genomics, population dynamics to statistical modeling.

About the position

Landuse and farming practices in Europe have change considerably since the late 1600s. During the last 75 years, many bird populations have experienced dramatic reductions in size, and have been exposed to new selection patterns. Because temporal patterns of agricultural change vary across Europe, it is possible to investigate whether independent populations experiencing similar or different environmental changes have similar or different footprints in the genome.  

The northern wheatear is found in lowland agricultural or mountain habitats of Europe. These two contrasting environments display very different temporal changes in habitat types and climate. While agricultural populations have declined markedly during the last 50 years, mountain populations seem to be more stable. To investigate the genomic footprints of environmental change in northern wheatears we are collecting climate, land-use and genomic data from several populations across Europe. In addition, an annotated reference genome, whole genome sequence (WGS) data of 1400 individuals and high-quality demographic data from 3000 breeding attempts from a 30-year population study of farmland breeding wheatears in Sweden will be used to look for genomic regions linked to adaptive or maladaptive traits (e.g. mal-adaptive habitat selection and mis-timed breeding).

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to this project aimed at investigating how natural populations living in agricultural landscapes cope with fast climate and landuse changes. Central questions include: (i) can we trace the evolutionary trajectories of populations and relate them to environmental drivers of change, (ii) which adaptive or maladaptive traits are involved and (iii) how fast can these traits change? The project is close collaboration among researchers at SLU (TP, Jonas Knape), Uppsala university, EBC (Anna Qvarnström) and the Swiss Ornithological institute (Reto Burri) and covering the necessary competence of the project. Close connection to Scilife lab, National Bioinformatic Infrastructure (NBIS) and infrastructure for supercomputing (NAISS) will guarantee a robust platform for all the genomic work.

Your profile

We are seeking a person with documented research experience and interest in genomics, bioinformatics and evolutionary ecology. The successful candidate will use population genomic approaches to trace and describe evolutionary histories of populations experiencing similar and different environmental changes during the last 100 years and to annotate the functions of genomic regions under evolutionary change. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) and annotated reference genome data will also be used in the search for the genetic-phenotypic architecture of adaptive/non-adaptive habitat choice and timing of breeding (i.e. phenology mismatch) in our long-term population study. You will also be collaborating in our time-series analyses about the dynamics of ecological trap habitat selection and relative breeding time (i.e. in relation to the progression in spring) and their links to phenotypic selection patterns and population growth rates.

Candidate qualifications:

• PhD in Population Genetics, bioinformatics, Ecology and Evolution or similar subject area
• Good research track record, demonstrated by publications
• Documented experience in relevant bioinformatics and genomics
• Experience in genome assembly and annotation
• Expertise in evolutionary population ecology and/or genetics is a plus
• Written and oral communication skills at an academic level in English
• Good time-management and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively both in an independent role and
  collaboratively with others

About us

The position is located at the Department of Ecology, which is part of the Ecology Centre at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden although the postdoc will frequently visit researchers at section of Animal Ecology, EBC at Uppsala university. Therefore, the postdoctoral researcher will join a dynamic international and interdisciplinary research environment with a focus on evolution and ecology of adaptations during rapid environmental changes. At the Ecology Centre, SLU, we conduct research for sustainable agriculture, forestry and the conservation of biodiversity to mitigate effects of landuse and climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Based on extensive national and international research collaborations, we build research and communication that advance ecology as a science and promote sustainable human landuse.

More information about the department:https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/ecology/

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Location:

Uppsala.

Form of employment:

Postdoctoral. Temporary employment 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Scope:

100%.

Start date:

September 2026 or as agreed. 

Application:

Selection among applicants is based on the written application and interviews. The application should be written in English and include:

1) a description of academic interests and why the applicant is interested in this particular position, with a specification of the applicant's expertise within the research area (max 5000 characters including spaces)

2) Curriculum Vitae including a complete list of publications divided into peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications

3) contact information for two professional references

4) copies of degree certificates and transcripts from undergraduate and graduate studies at university level.

Please submit your application before deadline June 5, 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.