Postdoc in population genomics and bioinformatics on language evolution

Your responsibilities

The similarity of the genetic and linguistic evolution was pointed out by Charles Darwin. In the first phase of the NCCR, we found that both match and mismatch are common world-wide using the database of genomic and linguistic data GeLaTo (GEnes and LAnguage TOgether). as well as local case studies: , . In the second phase, we plan to strengthen population genetic analysis including demographic analysis and genome-wide association studies to study the evolution of languages. This project is a part of the "Population History" Task in the Work Package Stationarity of the NCCR which includes ( of this position), Prof. Balthasar Bickel (Department of Comparative Language Science), Prof. Andrea Migliano (Department of Evolutionary Anthropology), Prof. Chiara Barbieri (Univ. Cagliari) and a planned new professor in genetics of language. We expect further collaboration within and beyond the NCCR. Furthermore, we plan to analyze genomes of crop plants to examine the farming/language dispersal hypothesis stating that many language families dispersed along with farmers and crop species.

Your profile

PhD degree in biology using genome-wide polymorphism analysis to infer demography, selection or genome-wide association studies. Experience in linguistic data or machine learning will be an asset. Experience either in human or plant data is not essential but the motivation to study them is important.

What we offer

We offer varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment.
Diversity and inclusion are important to us.
The University of Zurich offers a highly international, mostly English speaking and an interdisciplinary collaborative environment. In addition to NCCR, the opportunity to interact with colleagues in computational and experimental biology is available at the as well as through the . Zurich offers a great quality of life, consistently ranking in the top three cities worldwide.
UZH offers excellent opportunities and strong support for career development. Salaries are internationally competitive.
The project timeframe is 4 years on the basis of a yearly renewed contract.
We take gender balance and diversity seriously in our hiring decisions.