Researcher, Head of SciLifeLab's national aDNA facility - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Science for Life Laboratories, SciLife labs, is a collaboration between four universities in Stockholm and Uppsala: KI, SU, KTH, and UU. Advanced technology is combined with a broad know-how on translational medicine and molecular bioscience. Since 2013 SciLife Labs has been tasked by the Swedish government to act as infrastructure to support national research and to be an international frontline center for large-scale analyses in the molecular biosciences with a focus on health and Environment.

The Science for Life Laboratories Ancient DNA Facility (ADF) is a new facility being designed to handle the increasing demand for genetic data from historic and prehistoric material. As the possibilities springing from this type of data increases, so does the demand for it. ADF will provide services for material from museums, archaeological and palaeontological excavations, and from any general context containing degraded material. The services will include screening of ancient DNA (aDNA) from human remains, screening of aDNA from non-human remains, deep-sequencing of screened material that allows for it, and population genetic consulting. The ADF will be located in two nodes: at Stockholm University, and at Uppsala University. These two universities embodies Sweden’s most advanced research in the field of aDNA, and hosts a conglomerate research collaboration (the labs of Anders Götherström at SU and Mattias Jakobsson at UU) in the absolute research front of the field. The ADF will be integrated into the academic life of these two units. The facility will have its own explicit laboratory facilities, personnel, and mission to service Swedish academia.

We are searching for the manager of the ADF, a person who can both build up the facility and manage the activities over the coming years.

Duties: The Head of Facility will lead, plan and execute the work at the ancient DNA facility. The facility manager will form the leadership group, together with facility directors Anders Götherström and Mattias Jakobsson, in organizing the strategic and long-term planning. The duties include setting up the facility, organizing the services and the laboratory and the bioinformatic work-flow, as well as the management of customer requests, incoming samples, reporting back to customers, and other types of customer contacts, including visiting all Swedish Universities and giving presentations and workshops. The first period will be dedicated to setting up a functioning facility, including recruiting personnel, and organizing the labs and also to making the facility known to potential clients. The facility manager is expected to spend time both at the Uppsala University lab node and the Stockholm University lab node on a weekly basis.

Requirements: PhD or equivalent. An ability to lead and develop an organization. The candidate must be able to organize the facility’s work and lead a group of co-workers in a motivating and structured way. The candidate should also have a genuine interest in creating an excellent national facility with easy access of the services to researchers all over Sweden. Candidates must be an excellent communicator and fluent (written and spoken) in both Swedish and English. 

Additional qualifications: Additional merits are expert knowledge in areas such as molecular genetics, bioinformatics, genomics, computational biology, paleogenetics, archaeogenetics. Broad understanding of multi-disciplinary large-scale research and/or scientific service.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position the University aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations. In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

How to apply: The application should include 1) a letter of intent describing yourself and your professional experience, 2) a short description of your education, 3) a CV, 4) a copy of your PhD degree, 5) the names and contact information (address, email address, and phone number) of at least two reference persons.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: Individually negotiated salary.

Starting date: 01-06-2018 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of position: Permanent full-time position, probationary period 6 months.

For further information about the position please contact Mattias Jakobsson, e-mail mattias.jakobsson@ebc.uu, or Anders Götherström, e-mail anders.gotherstrom@arklab.su.se

Please submit your application by 15 April 2018, UFV-PA 2017/4426.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.