英国伦敦大学生物信息学博士后职位

A Postdoctoral Research Assistant position is available for three years in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) with Dr Richard Buggs, using genome sequencing and phylogenomics methods to identify candidate genes for low pest and pathogen susceptibility in ash trees.

QMUL is one of the UK’s leading research-focused higher education institutions, with a budget of £285 million per annum. Richard Buggs’ research group works on the evolutionary genomics of trees, and this project collaborates with Stephen Rossiter whose group studies the phylogenomics of mammals.

This project is funded jointly by a grant from BBSRC, Defra, ESRC, the Forestry Commission, NERC and the Scottish Government, under the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative.

The PDRA will be responsible for sequencing and assembling the genomes of 35 ash species. Using pipelines developed by the group of co-PI Rossiter to study convergence (Nature 502, no. 7470 (2013): 228-231), the PRDA will use phylogenomic methods to identify genes and alleles associated with low susceptibility to ash dieback and the emerald ash borer. The PDRA will liaise with collaborators at Forest Research (UK) and the United States Forest Service (Ohio) who will experimentally determine the susceptibility phenotypes for each species. The PDRA will also interact with social scientists seeking to understand the attitude of the UK public to the potential use of genus-wide genome diversity in trees to combat tree health threats.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area of bioinformatics, molecular systematics, molecular evolution or a related field. Candidates must have experience in genomics, phylogenetics and programming, with a solid grounding in plant systematics, evolutionary biology and/or handling next generation sequence data. Previous post-doctoral experience is essential criteria for this post.

During the project, the PDRA will also have opportunities to develop their supervision, writing, communication, media, and organisational skills, excellent preparation for a career in academia or industry. Duties will also include assisting in the training and supervision of PhD and final year project students.

The position is full time and available for 36 months. The starting salary will be £38,579 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance. Benefits include 30 days annual leave, defined benefit pension scheme and interest-free season ticket loan.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.