The Faculty of Science at the University of Turku, Department of Biology, invites applications for a contract-based, fixed term doctoral researcher or project researcher position in Archaeogenomics. The employment period is 1.1.2027 – 31.12.2027. The position is part of the Human Diversity research consortium, funded by the Research Council of Finland. Additionally, the researcher will have a guest affiliation at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) in Leipzig, Germany.
The researcher will study the genomic landscape of uniparentally-inherited haplogroups (Y-chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA) in Finland using both ancient and modern DNA. Analytical approaches will include population genetic and evolutionary modelling techniques. Projects can include, amongst others: (1) investigating temporal and geographical variation in Y-chromosome diversity in pre-modern (pre-20th century) Finland; (2) forecast modelling of uniparental haplogroup evolutionary dynamics using SLiM3; (3) using uniparental haplogroups to understand sex biases in the peopling of Finland. The applicant should hold a Master’s degree in evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, genetics, mathematics, or other relevant field.
The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr Ronan James O’Sullivan (UTU, MPI-EVA), Dr Adam B. Rohrlach (MPI-EVA, Adelaide University), and Prof. Päivi Onkamo (UTU). In addition to the supervisory team, the candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Human Diversity consortium and researchers at MPI-EVA in Leipzig.
Apply between
13 April 2026 and
29 May 2026 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki) and read more about the position here
For further information about the position, please contact: Dr Ronan James O’Sullivan, ronan.osullivan(at)utu.fi
With questions about the application process, please contact: HR-specialist Kaisa Ketomäki, kaiketom(at)utu.fi
