Assistant Professor (post-doc) in the impact of mass extinctions on parasite diversity and evolution University of Warsaw in Poland

University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Evolutionary Biology is offering a postdoctoral Assistant Professor position within the project The impact of mass extinctions on parasite diversity and evolution, led by Dr. hab. Kenneth De Baets, Prof. ucz. The work is based in Warsaw, Poland, and focuses on evolutionary biology, host-parasite coevolution, fossil coprolites, and parasite diversity across the Permian-Triassic mass extinction.

The successful candidate will join a project funded by the National Science Centre Poland. The main postdoctoral tasks center on assembling and performing total evidence analyses and co-phylogenetic analyses of vertebrate hosts and their helminth parasites. The role is especially suited to a researcher with experience in phylogenetics, molecular alignment, fossil data integration, Bayesian (co-)phylogenetic modeling, macroevolutionary inference, simulation, or machine learning approaches applied to biological data.

The broader project investigates how host diversity and diet influenced parasite propagules during a major extinction event, using fossil vertebrate coprolites from Permian and Triassic outcrops. The project combines quantitative sampling, microscopy, computed tomography, thin sections, and phylogenetic placement of parasite inclusions to better understand past and future parasite-host dynamics. Its outcomes are expected to inform conservation biology, biodiversity modelling, climate-change research, and disease-risk prediction.

This is a full-time temporary appointment starting in February 2027 for 12 months, with the possibility of a 12-month extension after positive evaluation. The remuneration is PLN 8700 gross per month plus additional annual remuneration and a length-of-service allowance. The position requires the University of Warsaw to be the primary workplace.

Eligibility requirements include a Ph.D. in biological sciences or a related field earned before the deadline, significant scientific achievements, international research experience, excellent English, and a strong publication record. Applicants are expected to have hands-on expertise in phylogenetic analyses, total evidence approaches, fossil-informed evolutionary analyses, and/or biological programming and modelling. Experience supervising students, engaging in science popularization, obtaining research funding, and working independently are also valued.

Applications must be submitted by 10 November 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) by email to [email protected] and [email protected]. Required documents include the personal questionnaire and a motivation letter describing scientific interests and the research activity plan.