Fully funded Bioinformatics Postdoc position (100%):
Genome evolution and population genomics of an allohexaploid fish adaptive radiation
 
Supervisor: Dr. Pooja Singh
Starting date of position: 01-10-2026
 
I am seeking to fill a Postdoctoral Researcher position funded for one year, with the possibility of extension for a second year through the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), at the University of Bern, Switzerland. This project is conducted in close collaboration with a team of scientists at Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia).
Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake, is a unique biodiversity hotspot and home to the world's last remaining species flock of cyprinid fishes. The genus Labeobarbus is hexaploid and underwent a rapid adaptive radiation after Lake Tana filled approximately 15,000 years ago, giving rise to around 17 endemic species. We have recently assembled the first draft hexaploid reference genome for the Lake Tana Labeobarbus. In this project, we will reconstruct the evolutionary history and speciation dynamics of this radiation while investigating the roles of polyploidy and hybridisation in adaptation and speciation.
The ideal applicant will be a highly motivated and independent bioinformatics researcher interested in understanding the evolutionary dynamics of allopolyploid organisms. Our study system—Labeobarbus fishes from Lake Tana—is allohexaploid, presenting exciting computational and evolutionary challenges. The complexity of this reference genome requires someone with strong bioinformatics expertise, excellent problem-solving skills, and a willingness to develop new analytical approaches.
The successful candidate will work closely with me, with responsibilities including:
1. Genome and homoeologue annotation of a high-quality genome assembly.
2. Homoeologue-aware phylogenomic reconstruction of the Lake Tana species flock.
3. Collaborating with two PhD students on population genomics and hybridisation analyses.
Requirements
Essential
- Background in bioinformatics, evolutionary genetics, genomics, or a closely related field.
- Extensive experience working in Linux environments and on high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
- Strong programming skills in R and/or Python.
- Extensive experience analysing large-scale genomic datasets (HiC, PacBio HiFi and IsoSeq, Illumina Novaseq), and using bioinformatics tools.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex bioinformatics challenges through code development and/or methodological innovation.
- Good knowledge of orthology inference, phylogenomics, and associated analytical methods.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively and respectfully with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong organisational, communication, and teamwork skills.
Desirable
- Experience working with allopolyploid genomes.
Application
Please submit a single PDF file named:
FirstNameSurname_UBern_Postdoc_2026.pdf
The PDF should contain the following documents in order:
1. Letter of motivation (maximum two pages) describing your research experience, your interest in this position, and how it aligns with your career goals.
2. Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and other scientific outputs, with a brief description of your contribution to publications directly relevant for this position.
3. Statement of bioinformatics and coding experience (maximum two pages), including links to your GitHub or other code repositories where applicable. Please emphasise any methods or analytical approaches you have developed yourself and highlight any experience working with allopolyploid genomes.
4. Contact details for three referees.
5. PhD and MSc transcripts.
Please send your application by email to pooja.singh@unibe.ch with the subject line:
"Postdoc application Labeobarbus"
The application deadline is 11 August 2026 (23:59 GMT+1).
Salary
Salary will be determined according to the University of Bern salary scheme for postdoctoral researchers.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of our team. We especially encourage applications from women, people of colour, individuals from the Global South, and others who are underrepresented in bioinformatics and computational biology, particularly those who experience multiple intersecting forms of marginalisation.
Further Information
For informal inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Pooja Singh
 pooja.singh@unibe.ch
More information about my research can be found at:
https://poojasinghevogen.weebly.com
The successful candidate will be based jointly at the Division of Aquatic Ecology & Evolution, University of Bern, and the Department of Fish Ecology & Evolution, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag).
- https://www.aqua.iee.unibe.ch
- https://www.eawag.ch/en/department/fishec
Switzerland offers an excellent quality of life and provides an outstanding environment for research, making it an ideal place to build an internationally competitive scientific career.

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