Research Associate in Phylogenomics (fixed-term) (EDR)

About the role

We are seeking a full time highly motivated post-doctoral research associate to play a key role and help deliver an exciting new £5.3m BBSRC-funded 4-year project, ‘Reappraising the role of whole genome duplication and rediploidisation in eukaryotic evolution’. 

The position will be based in the Clark lab in the Milner Centre for Evolution, embedded within a consortium including the universities of Bath, Bristol, Edinburgh, Oxford, Wageningen, OIST (Okinawa), Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, RBG Kew and Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (Barcelona). 

Further details of the project and team members can be found at rediploidisation.org

The overall project aims to establish the prevalence, nature and impact of whole genome duplication in eukaryote evolution, focussing especially on the process of rediploidization. 

Your role within this project will be as a principal researcher responsible for the phylogenetic analyses, the construction of bioinformatic pipelines and the development of novel approaches to determine the nature and timing of whole genome duplication (WGD) events and the pattern of diploidisation. 

These approaches will be developed and applied across eukaryotes in a bid to discover novel WGD events and better characterise known ones. 

Within the broader consortium, this project is co-led by Prof Tom Williams (University of Bath) and Dr Anthony Redmond (UCD), with whom you will work closely. 

The work is computational and does not involve laboratory work. As part of the sLoLa consortium, you will be able to collaborate extensively across the network, providing opportunities to build and share expertise. As a member of the Milner Centre, you will join a group of evolutionary biologists with a shared goal of studying fundamental evolutionary questions and applying this knowledge to tackle global challenges. As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

This is a fixed-term position for 48 months. 

About you

You will be:

A researcher with an excellent track record in the field of phylogenomics.Highly proficient in data analysis in at least one scripting language, such as Python or R, and the construction of bioinformatic pipelines.Capable of working within high-performance computing environments and handling genome-scale data.A keen collaborator and team worker, able to build and maintain working relationships across multiple working groups and institutions.

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Free counselling services through Health AssuredCycle to work schemeElectric vehicle salary sacrifice schemeStaff discount at Team Bath gymStaff discounts on postgraduate tuition feesStaff discount on language coursesGenerous employer contributory pension schemesGenerous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balanceA wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and moreFree entry to the Holburne Museum in BathLocal discounts and moreA family-friendly workplace An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforceRelocation allowanceVisa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

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Closing Date: 10 Apr 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £37,999 to £45,163