Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient DNA

About Position/Job

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient DNA (aDNA) within the Genetic Anthropology Laboratory (GAL), housed in the Department of Anthropology. This interdisciplinary role focuses on population genetics, natural selection, and the evolutionary history of Central Eurasia, using both ancient and modern DNA. Supervised by Dr Ainash Childebayeva, the position offers a two-year funded appointment, renewable based on performance, with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge molecular, computational, and archaeological research. The project integrates genetic anthropology, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, and collaborative field and laboratory methods, strengthening the department’s mission to advance understanding of human evolution, diversity, and adaptation.

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Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Department: Anthropology
Research field: Ancient DNA, Population Genetics, Anthropological Genomics
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Number of posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Postdoctoral
Start Date (Anticipated): Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Working Hours: Full-time
Salary Range: Competitive NIH scale
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Ancient DNA (aDNA)
Population genetics of Central Eurasia
Natural selection and evolutionary biology
Genomics and bioinformatics
Interdisciplinary human evolution research

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in genetics, genomics, evolutionary biology, anthropology, archaeology, or a related field
Experience handling high-throughput sequencing data
Strong computational and statistical skills (Python, R, etc.)
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with ancient DNA laboratory methods
Background in archaeological or anthropological research
Experience with large-scale genomic datasets

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Key Responsibilities

Extract, sequence, and analyse ancient and modern DNA
Conduct research on population genetics and evolutionary processes
Develop and implement computational and analytical methods
Collaborate with archaeologists, anthropologists, biologists, and computational scientists
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students
Publish research findings and present at conferences