Are you interested in working with ancient DNA at SciLifeLab Ancient DNA unit, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favorable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for as research engineer at Uppsala University.
Analysis of ancient DNA is a powerful tool to help understand the past, and require specialized laboratories and methods. The purpose of the Ancient DNA unit is to support research by providing state-of-the art analysis as a service to a scientific community including researchers in archaeology, anthropology, genetics, evolution, biodiversity and more, as well as to e.g. museum staff and contract archaeologists. The interest for the unit’s services is large and increasing both within Sweden and internationally.
The Ancient DNA unit is a part of the strong research environment at the Department of Organismal Biology at Uppsala University and is integrated with the Human Evolution research program. The Ancient DNA unit is a team that includes staff from the Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG), part of Stockholm University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History.
Duties
The main task of the position consists of planning projects, sampling and extracting DNA from remains of humans and animals, preparation of DNA sequencing libraries and performing DNA library quality controls for sequencing, and document and evaluate results. Analysis of ancient and historical plant, sediment and other types of samples also occurs. The tasks also include discussing, implementing, developing and evaluating new laboratory procedures, and to follow relevant scientific literature, attending research meetings and conferences, perform laboratory management and maintenance (including decontamination and cleaning), prepare project documentation and write of reports and scientific publications. The laboratory work is performed in Ancient DNA clean-room laboratories and post-PCR laboratories at the Evolutionary Biology Centre in Uppsala.
Requirements
We are looking for you with an MSc degree, or equivalent, in genetics or archaeology with experience of laboratory-based research in genomics and genetics, especially with ancient DNA, with excellent command of English in speech and writing.
Great emphasis is place on personal qualities and we are looking for a service-minded person who works well in a team. We would like a person with excellent ability to plan, organize and document your work, as well as with taking responsibility.
Additional qualifications
Experience with work in molecular biology clean-room laboratories, biology core facilities and /or research infrastructure is meriting.
About the employment
The employment is a permanent position (a probationary period may be applied). Scope of employment is 100 %. Starting date June 1 2026 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala
For further information about the position, please contact: Magnus Lundgren, Head of the Ancient DNA unit, telephone: +46 18 471 26 96, magnus.lundgren@scilifelab.se.
Please submit your application by 25 Mars 2026, UFV-PA 2026/654.
Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.