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Post-Doctoral Scientist in Field Pathogenomics
Starting salary range: £29,500 to £32,780
Duration: 3 years
Norwich, UK

A postdoctoral position is newly available in the Saunders group at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) in partnership with the John Innes Centre (JIC), Norwich, UK. The Saunders group focuses on applying a multidisciplinary approach to dissect the molecular mechanisms that drive pathogen evolution and adaptation to prevailing selective pressures. The main purpose of this post is to apply a “field pathogenomics” approach, developed in the Saunders group, to undertake comprehensive global population genetic analyses of the wheat yellow rust pathogen (Hubbard et al., Genome Biology 2015, 16:23), a pathogen which poses a significant threat to wheat production in all major wheat-growing areas of the world and a major constraint on UK agriculture.

The appointee will generate next-generation sequencing datasets from infected field samples and explore associations and track pathogen dispersal on a national and international scale. The work will involve an array of techniques in population genetics, evolutionary biology and next-generation sequencing technologies. This is a very exciting opportunity for the applicant to join a multi-national and multi-institutional project to address key questions in pathogen evolution, dispersal and adaptation. The post will link with the national yellow rust survey work (UKCPVS – United Kingdom Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey) carried out at NIAB in Cambridge, and with many industry stakeholders. 

To be considered for the role applicants should have the following skills, experience and qualifications:
• PhD in population genetics or a related subject
• Experience of population genetic analysis of large, complex datasets
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrable scientific success e.g. publication in high quality journals
• Strong written and oral presentation skills
• Ability to interact and collaborate with different scientists and stakeholders 
• Experience in computer programming and next-generation sequencing techniques would be advantageous.

TGAC is a vibrant, contemporary research institute and a UK hub for innovative Bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of data sets. We host one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe and our aim is to ensure that biological science in the UK has access to a skill base in genomics and bioinformatics to deliver programmes leading to improved food security, advances in industrial biotechnology and improved human health and wellbeing.

At TGAC we offer competitive salaries, excellent defined contribution pension scheme, life assurance, tailored learning and development and onsite sports facilities that are available to all staff and their guests.

As a user of the disability symbol, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for this vacancy.