Research Fellow in Evolutionary Genomics Part-time NEW

Research Fellow in Evolutionary Genomics

The Division of Biosciences at UCL is one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences. We have an outstanding international reputation and a community of over 500 staff and more than 300 PhD students engaged in cutting edge research and collaboration.

We are seeking an enthusiastic researcher with a background in evolutionary genomics to join the group of Dr. Sean Stankowski. The position is supported by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship aimed at reconstructing evolutionary pathways to novelty.

About the Role

The main purpose of this position is to design, develop, and work with a large population genomic dataset to reconstruct the genetic changes that lead to the evolution of live-bearing in Littorina snails. You will use new genealogical methods (ARGs) to identify and date alleles that underpin this novel reproductive mode, and determine whether these loci act as barriers to gene flow between pairs of sympatric egg-laying and live-bearing taxa.

You will work as part of a team, and in collaboration with project partners from the Sanger Institute (Dr. Joana Meier), the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Dr. Nick Barton), The University of Gothenburg (Dr. Kerstin Johannesson and Dr. Erical Leder) and the University of Göttingen (Dr. Daniel Jackson).

This role is an open-ended contract of three years with the possibility of extension and the salary range for this role will be £45,103 – £48,679 depending on experience. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £39,148 – £41,833 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 50% on site.

About You

Applicants must have a PhD in a related field, and a strong understanding of evolutionary processes (selection, mutation, migration, drift) and their effects on genetic variation. The ideal candidate will be organised, creative, and collaborative, have experience coding in languages such as R or Python, evidence that they have built bioinformatic pipelines, experience with simulating genomic data using forward and backward scheme, and, ideally, an interest in the biology and evolution of different reproductive modes. You will have experience or willingness to participate in field work and to engage with other team members. A track record of completing research projects and presenting the findings to a range of audiences both in writing and verbally is also essential.

What We Offer

We will support your professional development to help you achieve your long-term goals and will provide access to training courses and international and domestic conferences. The position will include time to develop and peruse your own research interests, and includes opportunities to work with and visit project partners at other research institutions.

The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work – please see the UCL Human Resources website to find out more.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.