Postdoctoral Fellow in Ancient DNA and Molecular Genomics

Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences

Department of Integrative Biology

The University of Texas at Austin

The Laboratory of Dr. Vagheesh Narasimhan at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to establish and lead molecular laboratory efforts supporting ancient DNA research. The successful candidate will play a central role in developing laboratory workflows for the recovery, preparation, and sequencing of DNA from archaeological and historical specimens while collaborating closely with computational researchers working in population genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology. The postdoc will join a team of scientists at the University of Texas and will work in close collaboration with the labs of Dr. Ainash Childabayeva and Dr. Melissa Kemp and computational members at the Oden Institute of Computational Engineering and Sciences.

This position offers a unique opportunity to build an emerging ancient DNA program within a highly collaborative research environment that combines expertise in genomics, computational biology, and evolutionary genetics.

Research Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and optimize ancient DNA extraction protocols from skeletal and archaeological material.
• Establish clean laboratory workflows for handling highly degraded DNA while minimizing contamination.
• Prepare sequencing libraries for Illumina and related next-generation sequencing platforms.
• Perform DNA quantification, quality assessment, and library quality control.
• Develop targeted enrichment approaches where appropriate.
• Work closely with computational researchers to ensure high-quality molecular data generation.
• Train graduate students and laboratory personnel in molecular techniques and clean-room practices.
• Assist with laboratory management, protocol development, and maintenance of quality assurance procedures.
• Contribute to manuscripts, grant applications, and collaborative research projects.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Evolutionary Biology, Anthropology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, library preparation, and next-generation sequencing.
• Experience working with degraded or low-input DNA samples.
• Strong organizational skills and careful attention to contamination control.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research group.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas is particularly desirable:

• Ancient DNA laboratory methods.
• Museum, archaeological, or paleogenomic specimens.
• Clean-room laboratory practices.
• Hybridization capture or targeted enrichment.
• Long-read or short-read sequencing technologies.
• Bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data.
• Population genetics or evolutionary genomics.

Applicants with extensive experience in highly degraded DNA (for example forensic, environmental, museum, or clinical samples) are strongly encouraged to apply, even if they have not previously worked on ancient DNA.

Research Environment

Our laboratory develops and applies cutting-edge genomic approaches to understand evolution, adaptation, and human biology. We combine large-scale genomic datasets with modern computational methods to answer fundamental questions in genetics and evolutionary biology. The successful candidate will help establish molecular capabilities that expand these efforts into ancient genomics, working alongside collaborators across evolutionary biology, anthropology, computational genomics, and biomedical research.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. Cover letter describing research interests and relevant experience.
3. Contact information for three references.
4. Representative publications or preprints.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

A security sensitive background check will be conducted on the applicant selected.

Contact Information

For inquiries about the position, please contact vagheesh@utexas.edu.

For application questions, please contact Ruth Park at ruth.park@oden.utexas.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.