Junior researcher in ancient metagenomics and bioinformatics

Institute for Mummy Studies

We are looking for a junior researcher with strong computational and statistical skills and with consolidated experience in metagenomics analysis. The candidate should have expertise in the analysis of metagenomic data from ancient and modern samples.

The project is applying in-depth metagenomic analyses of ancient specimens to reconstruct the individual dietary profile and microbiome. The project is funded by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/ Bozen South Tyrol and the Austrian Science Fund in the framework of the Programme Joint Projects "Progetti di cooperazione internazionale" - Alto Adige-Austria (FWF).

Our Institute is internationally renowned for its research on the Iceman and other mummified and skeletal human remains of different periods from all over the world. The position will be in the framework of a three-year interdisciplinary Joint Research project that aims to understand the dietary habits of our ancestors. The research focuses on human paleofeces from the prehistoric Hallstatt salt mines. The high salt concentration in the mine workings and the constant temperature of 8°C have created excellent preservation conditions for organic remains incl. millennia‑old excrements. Through microscopic and molecular analyses of these paleofeces, our team will be able not only to reconstruct the diet of the miners that lived about 3000 years ago but also to provide remarkably precise insights into the bacterial colonization of their gut.

The goal of this project is to gain a better understanding of the role that complex processed foods, in particular fermentation, played in the history of human nutrition and to observe changes in the gut microbiome that are linked to diet.

Tasks

• Establish and validate an internal analysis pipeline and databases for ancient metagenomic data.
• Perform the bioinformatic analyses of metagenomic data produced from ancient specimens.
• Test different machine‑learning methods on microbial genomic data.
• Collaborate with the research team to develop new methodologies and innovative approaches.

Requirements

• MSc degree in computational biology, bioinformatics or related fields.
• Strong computational and statistical skills with expertise in machine learning methods in ancient DNA metagenomic analyses.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R and Python.
• Experience with workflow management systems (e.g., Snakemake, Nextflow, or similar) is highly advantageous.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

We offer

We offer a four‑month 80% junior researcher position (pre‑doctoral position), starting in June 2026. We welcome candidates who are eager to explore novel research questions and develop creative solutions within the scope of our project. The candidate will have the opportunity to apply for a full PhD fellowship in collaboration with University of Trento.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their application (CV, cover letter and further relevant documents) by

The project "Mining and Dining – Prehistoric Salt Miners’ Foodways" (CUP: D53C ) has been funded by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/ Bozen South Tyrol and the Austrian Science Fund /PIN ) in the framework of the Programme Joint Projects "Progetti di cooperazione internazionale" - Alto Adige-Austria (FWF).