Postdoctoral Research Associate of Anthropology

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus • Norman, OK

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Anthropology and the Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research at the University of Oklahoma seek a Postdoctoral Researcher to join Dr. Lilly Parker’s research group. The researcher will contribute to evolutionary, conservation, and ancient/anthropological genomics. Initial research will focus primarily on cuscuses, including diversification, systematics, biogeography, conservation, and the evolutionary consequences of intentional translocations. There may also be opportunities to work on shrews and other mammalian systems and to develop research questions aligned with the researcher’s interests.

This is a combined wet-laboratory and computational position based in LMAMR at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. The researcher will work with genomic materials from modern, museum, historical, archaeological, and other degraded biological sources, including in LMAMR’s ancient DNA laboratory. Relevant laboratory experience is required, or the candidate must be willing and motivated to learn; training will be provided as needed.

The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Dr. Parker to develop a mentoring plan tailored to their experience and career goals. Mentoring may cover laboratory and computational training, manuscript development, student mentorship, grant writing, project development, and preparation for careers in academia, museums, conservation, government, or other research settings. The position offers opportunities for intellectual independence: existing datasets and projects can support immediate research and publication, while the researcher will be encouraged to develop new projects and collaborative grant proposals.

This is a full-time appointment. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory progress and the availability of funding. The anticipated start date is flexible. Salary will be commensurate with experience and include University benefits.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Life Sciences or Computer Science, preferably in Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Ecology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, and/or Conservation Biology, or in Anthropology with genomics experience.
• Willingness to conduct wet-lab work and some experience with laboratory protocols such as DNA extraction, quality-control procedures, and library preparation.
• Relevant laboratory experience, or motivation and willingness to learn relevant laboratory methods, including procedures for ancient and degraded DNA.
• Competitive applicants will have experience in one or more of the following: bioinformatics workflows; population, evolutionary, or conservation genomics; high-throughput sequencing data analysis; Linux or Unix computing environments; R, Python, or other computational tools; molecular laboratory methods; museum genomics, ancient DNA, degraded DNA, or low-coverage genomic data; phylogenetics, phylogenomics, systematics, or biogeographic modeling; mammalian evolutionary biology or conservation; or high-performance computing.

Nice To Haves

• Prior ancient-DNA experience is welcome but not required.
• Experience in one or more of the listed competitive areas, including bioinformatics, genomics, sequencing-data analysis, computational tools, molecular laboratory methods, museum or ancient DNA, phylogenetics, mammalian evolutionary biology, conservation, or high-performance computing.
• Complementary backgrounds and interest in developing additional laboratory, genomic, computational, or museum-based research skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wet-lab and computational genomic research, initially focused on cuscuses.
• Generate and analyze genomic data from modern, museum, historical, archaeological, and other degraded biological materials.
• Work in LMAMR’s ancient DNA laboratory.
• Prepare manuscripts and contribute to collaborative publications.
• Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and visiting students.
• Collaborate with Dr. Parker, LMAMR researchers, museum researchers, conservation partners, and project stakeholders.
• Develop grant proposals jointly with Dr. Parker and help shape new research directions.
• Participate in science communication and outreach.
• Travel for project meetings, sample collection, and conferences as needed.

Benefits

• University benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree