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Department of Ecology
We are looking for a researcher in single-cell transcriptomics and the evolution of insect–host plant interactions
A researcher position is available in Mariana Braga's group at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. Research in the Evolving Networks lab centers around understanding how species interactions change over time and space, with a focus on butterfly caterpillar-plant interactions and development of phylogenetic methods.
About the position
The successful candidate will be working on how modularity in host-specific gene expression evolves in butterfly caterpillars, by analyzing single-cell transcriptomics data. You will be part of a team working at the interface of evolutionary biology, host-plant adaptation and single-cell genomics, and you and your colleagues will be responsible for turning existing sequence data into a comparative picture of how cell-type-specific responses to host plants have evolved. The work is largely computational and self-directed, carried out in close collaboration with other lab members.
Your duties will include:
Leading the single-cell transcriptomic analysis of existing datasets from two butterfly species, beginning with quality assessment of the available sequence data
Placing these species in a comparative framework together with existing data, addressing whether the same cell types respond to different host plants across taxa, or entirely different ones
Where useful, validating cell-type assignments with in-situ sequencing
Writing and co-authoring scientific publications and presenting the work at seminars and meetings
Sharing methods and code with the group, and supporting colleagues and students in taking up single-cell analysis — knowledge transfer is an explicit part of the role
All interested candidates irrespective of age, nationality, gender, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. The team’s common language is English so fluency in English is essential. To successfully carry out the various tasks, the candidate should take initiative, work independently and demonstrate that they are solution-oriented and can adapt and come up with creative solutions to technical problems. We put strong emphasis on personal qualifications such as collaborative skills. Since the applicant will be working closely with other group members, excellent communication, good will and reliability are required.
Your profile
Requirements
PhD in evolutionary biology, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology or a related field
Documented experience of analysing single-cell RNA-seq data, including hands-on work with the full pipeline from raw reads to annotated cell types
Experience of working with non-model organisms, where reference resources are incomplete and annotation cannot be taken for granted
Strong programming skills (e.g. R and/or Python) and experience working in a high-performance computing environment
Ability to work independently, plan your own work and drive a project forward
Documented ability to independently drive research and publish scientific results
Excellent spoken and written English
Merits
Experience with insects, and particularly with Lepidoptera or insect–host plant interactions
Experience with comparative transcriptomics across species, and with the expression evolution of duplicated gene families
Experience with in-situ sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, or histological validation of transcriptomic clusters
Experience of teaching, supervising or otherwise transferring methodological skills to colleagues
We place great weight on personal suitability: curiosity, care in the analysis, and willingness to collaborate and to explain your methods to others.
About us
The Department of Ecology at SLU is a major centre of ecological research in Scandinavia. We combine research in basic ecology with applied research in nature conservation, wildlife management, forestry and crop protection.
The Evolving Networks Lab is part of the Insect Ecology unit, where we study the environmental determinants of insect diversity and abundances, the biotic interactions between insects and other organisms (including humans), and the repercussions in terms of ecosystem functioning. To understand current biodiversity, we also need to understand its evolutionary history – to predict its evolutionary future. We aim for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding environmental change and human-nature relationships, which is possible thanks to our collaborations within and outside of academia.
Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden.
Form of employment:
Fixed-term employment 12 months.
Scope:
100%.
Start date:
November 1st 2026, or as agreed.
Application:
The application should consist of the following:
A personal motivation letter detailing your merits in relation to the qualifications
CV including list of publications
Copies of all your published publications
Contact details for two personal references
The selection between the applications that meet the basic qualifications listed will be based on the merits listed above assessed trough the CV, publications and personal motivation letter. A selection of candidates will be called for an interview, after which personal references may be contacted. A second interview and/or a written test may be relevant as a final selection method. Those who are not selected will only be notified by the system when the position is filled.
Please submit your application before deadline October 16 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/