Postdoctoral Researcher ancient DNA in London

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Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

A Leverhulme funded PDRA position is available for 3 years working on “Human-dog co-evolution as a driver of behaviour change in the Upper Palaeolithic” with PI Dr Selina Brace at the NHM London. This is a biomolecular based research project that will generate aDNA and isotope data to analyse canid specimens alongside existing human genetic, archaeological and environmental data.

A key factor driving the evolution of human behaviour was the domestication of plant and animal species. However, the impact of the very first domestication, that of the dog (Canis familiaris), on human behaviour and culture in prehistory has been less well studied. This research aims to fill these gaps in our knowledge and explore the dispersal and population history of dogs and wolves across Western Eurasia during the Upper Palaeolithic and uncover the role dogs played in human dispersal during the Palaeolithic. It will also be investigating diet and funerary treatment of dogs, identifying shared population histories, co-locality and co-mobility between dogs and humans.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Postdoctoral Researcher who holds a PhD and has experience with ancient DNA. Work experience in an a-DNA lab using aDNA extraction and library building methods for NGS sequencing is essential. Experience in the application of custom bioinformatics pipelines for the computational analyses of degraded genomic data, using programs relevant for phylogenetic and nuclear DNA population level analyses are also required. Your role will include the interpretation of isotopic data and developing species-distribution models and agent based modelling.

You will be working as part of a team led by Dr Brace where it will be expected that you have excellent communication skills in English (both verbal and written). As this is a time‑bound post you will need to work at pace and respect fixed deadlines that come with grant‑funded research.

We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

What We Offer:

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4‑10%)
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
• Life insurance
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures.
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in‑house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi.
• Hybrid working: We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.

If this sounds like you, please apply by clicking on “Apply for job”. Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double‑check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.

Closing date: 16 June 2026 at 23:59. Panel interviews expected: w/c 7 July 2026. We would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK.