Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Ecology with a Focus on Ecophysiology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading academic institutions. Located in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö, the university has approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees. We are united in our pursuit to understand, explain, and improve our world and human conditions. Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles in all aspects of our operations. Specific Subject Description The project will clarify why global warming and heat waves reduce reproductive success and cause excess mortality in wild birds. Specifically, the work will investigate whether spatial and temporal variation in birds' thermoregulatory capacity is heritable, and whether selection for heat and cold tolerance is already occurring in nature. The work will be based on a combination of field and laboratory work, involving advanced thermophysiological measurement methods and molecular and quantitative analyses in bird populations across Europe. The position is suitable for candidates with a background in evolutionary biology, animal physiology, molecular biology, or quantitative ecology, with an interest in applying this knowledge to new questions in eco-evolutionary and physiological aspects of temperature adaptation. Job Responsibilities The position is associated with the research program "HotLife – Pathways to Survival in a Warmer World" funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The overall goal is to determine why warm-blooded animals are struggling in a warmer climate, whether plastic or evolutionary responses can change this outcome, and whether selection for temperature tolerance is already occurring in nature. The candidate will be responsible for characterizing phenotypic variation in heat and cold tolerance across wild bird populations over large latitudinal gradients, under standardized captive conditions. The work will also include investigations of heritability of phenotypic traits enabling temperature adaptations, and may include studies of molecular and subcellular mechanisms. The work will be conducted in collaboration with research groups in Europe and will include extended periods of fieldwork abroad. The postdoctoral position primarily involves conducting research. Teaching may be included in the job responsibilities, not exceeding one-fifth of working time. Within the scope of the employment, there will be an opportunity for three weeks of higher education pedagogical training. Job responsibilities also include: - Research within the subject area - Supervision of thesis work - Seeking external research funding - Administration related to the above tasks Qualifications Eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher is someone who has completed a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in the employment's subject area and completed within the last three years. In special circumstances, a doctoral degree completed earlier may be considered. Additional requirements: - Doctoral degree in evolutionary biology, evolutionary ecology, animal physiology, molecular biology, or a related field relevant to the position - Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods and statistics, including programming in common languages such as R - Driving license B, to conduct fieldwork in Sweden and abroad - Excellent English skills, both verbal and written Assessment Criteria This is a merit-based position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial career step, and candidate assessment will primarily be based on scientific merits and research potential. Special emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area. For postdoctoral appointments, the following will form the basis of assessment: - Good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research - Pedagogical skills Additional merits: - Practical experience using relevant thermophysiological, bioenergetic, or cell physiological methods - Knowledge of laboratory methods and associated analytical tools, including work with -omics data - Field experience, including standard techniques for bird handling and sampling - Documented experience publishing research results in peer-reviewed international journals Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive, and independence, and how the applicant's experience and competence are assessed to complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department and contribute to its future development. Terms The position is time-limited to a maximum of 3 years and is full-time. The employment is time-limited according to the agreement "Agreement on Time-Limited Employment as Postdoctoral Researcher" between labor market parties dated 2022-02-01 (Swedish Agency for Government Employers, OFR, and Saco-S). Application Instructions The application should be written in English and include: - Curriculum vitae/CV including publication list - A personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the project matches your research backgroun