About this role
The Swedish Museum of Natural History is a government agency tasked by the government to promote knowledge, research, and interest in our world. The agency is a prominent research institution and Sweden's largest museum. For over 200 years, the museum has collected objects and data and conducted research on life on Earth. The collections contain more than 11 million plants, animals, fungi, environmental samples, minerals, and fossils. All research and knowledge are shared through exhibitions, Cosmonova, and activities at the museum and digitally.
The zoology unit is responsible for approximately 5 million objects. The collections include invaluable historical items from the 18th century onwards. The collections are continuously expanded and utilized by the unit's own researchers as well as by researchers worldwide. The preservation and systematic organization of the physical collections, along with digitization, are essential activities to ensure the collections' accessibility for the future.
This position pertains to an externally funded research project aimed at investigating the diversity and taxonomy of Sweden's species of tardigrades within the superfamily Hypsibioidea. Modern methods for species delimitation will be employed to achieve this, and any unknown species discovered will be scientifically described according to the standards of modern taxonomy. An additional goal will be to highlight evolutionary hypotheses for the superfamily and potentially revise previous classifications based on phylogenetic principles. The project will also involve generating data for meta-barcoding.
JOB DESCRIPTION
You will work within an externally funded research project focusing on mapping and increasing knowledge about the diversity of tardigrades (Tardigrada) in Sweden. The tasks include both research and work with digitization as well as curation of the tardigrade collection, with the aim of making the material more accessible and useful for future studies. The position entails working independently with responsibility for your own project components, while also collaborating closely with colleagues and other staff to advance the project.
QUALIFICATIONS
To succeed in this role, you must have:
• A PhD in systematic zoology or equivalent
• Experience in taxonomic and systematic research work, including fieldwork, on tardigrades in Sweden
• Experience in analyzing DNA sequences
• Experience working with zoological scientific collections
• Experience in seeking and obtaining external funding for research projects
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written
• Knowledge of tardigrade taxonomy
• Knowledge of tardigrades in Sweden and the Nordic region
• Knowledge of the preparation of tardigrades
• Knowledge of fundamental taxonomic and nomenclatural principles in zoology
You should possess good collaborative skills and be meticulous and organized.
It is advantageous if you also have:
• Other relevant qualifications related to the tasks
• Experience in digitization and database management of collection objects
OTHER
Our goal is to demonstrate the way to increased knowledge and action through research and public activities, so that together we can contribute to a sustainable and bright future. Our long-term ambition is for the employees of the Swedish Museum of Natural History to reflect the diversity present in Sweden. We welcome all applicants regardless of gender, background, origin, or ability.
In preparation for the recruitment process, we have made decisions regarding recruitment channels and marketing. Therefore, we kindly ask for no contact from media sellers, recruitment sites, or similar entities.