Research Technician in bioinformatics

The Benedetto lab is looking for an enthusiastic bioinformatician or computer scientist to join a wider collaborative project, studying how the gut-brain axis mediates gut bacterium effects on host thermotolerance in ectotherms. The position is funded by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for 33 months. The Benedetto lab is part of the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Lancaster University, UK, where we apply integrated physiology approaches to understand how animal health is achieved through the interplay of organ systems and the gut microbiota, using C. elegans as a reductive model. 

The current project aims to identify conserved and metaorganism-specific gut-brain-axis (GBA) mechanisms of thermotolerance in fish, bees and worms. It combines field sampling across three countries (Iceland, France and the UK) with laboratory experiments, involving microbial culturomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, metabolic modelling, and advanced live microscopy approaches. You will primarily implement data analysis pipelines for metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and metabolic modelling, and analyse the omics datasets acquired during the project. You will also contribute complementary bioimage and proteomics analyses as needed.

Throughout the project you will work collaboratively with research associates and PhD students in partner institutions in the UK, France, Germany, and the USA. The project is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary in nature, providing an excellent opportunity for an ambitious early-career scientist to establish a strong research network and carve a path to independence.

You are required to hold a postgraduate degree in a relevant field with a publication track-record commensurate to their experience, have demonstrable experience in developing, implementing and using omics pipelines, be proficient in R and Python programming and in statistical analyses. Candidates should also be willing to undergo training and acquire any additional necessary skills, which may involve travels to collaborating institutions (USA, Germany, UK), as required by the project. We are looking for a highly motivated, organised and collaborative individual with strong interpersonal skills. 

Our lab and the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences provide a friendly research environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups. 

Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact Dr Alexandre Benedetto (a.benedetto@lancaster.ac.uk) with a CV for more information

Closing Date: 07 Sep 2025

Department: Research

Salary: £32,546 to £37,174 (Full time, indefinite with end date)