15023- Postdoctoral Research Associate

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Sur place; GBP 34 000 - 44 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The University of Edinburgh invites applications for a 3‑year Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a NERC‑funded project on adaptive introgression in European butterflies, leading population genomic analyses.

You will work with chromosome‑level reference genomes, large WGS datasets and HPC; collaborate with an RA for lab work, pursue fieldwork in France, and present findings at international conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in evolutionary/population genomics or a related field.
• Strong skills in Python and R, with experience in computational genomics and statistics.
• Ability to work with large genomic datasets and communicate effectively.

Responsabilités

• Lead population genomic analyses across two work packages.
• Coordinate with lab personnel and use WGS data and HPC resources.
• Present findings at international conferences and supervise project students.

Connaissances

Python

R

Population genomics

Computational genomics

Statistics

High performance computing

Formation

PhD in evolutionary/population genomics or related field

Description du poste

School of Biological Sciences/ College of Sciences & Engineering

Full Time- 35 hours per week

36 months fixed term contract

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a skilled and motivated 3‑year Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a NERC-funded project on adaptive introgression in European butterflies, led by Dr Konrad Lohse and Dr Simon Martin. The PDRA will lead population genomic analyses across two work packages:

Comparative scans of selective sweeps across 42 butterfly species (21 sister-species pairs) to quantify how often adaptive evolution is fuelled by introgressed variants and to identify their functional targets.

Analysis of a hybrid zone system, integrating whole‑genome resequencing and long‑read sperm sequencing to find spatial population genomic signals of gene conversion and adaptive introgression.

You will work with chromosome-level reference genomes, large WGS datasets and high‑performance computing, and collaborate closely with an RA responsible for lab work. The role includes opportunities for fieldwork in France, work with collaborators in Spain and Czech Republic, presenting at international conferences, and supervising project students.

You will join Konrad Lohse’s lab in the dynamic Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, as part of a project funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC). Applicants must have a PhD (or to be completed in 3 months) in evolutionary/population genomics or a related field, strong skills in Python/R, computational genomics and statistics, and enthusiasm for working with large genomic datasets. The post requires creativity in problem solving, and strong communication and organisational skills. An understanding of inference methods for detecting introgression and selective sweeps is desirable. Questions should be directed to [e-mail]