Research Assistant/Associate in Conservation and Evolutionary Genomics

TN United Kingdom; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate in Conservation and Evolutionary Genomics. This role involves conducting cutting-edge research on the Galapagos giant tortoises, utilizing whole genome datasets to explore speciation and hybridization. The successful candidate will collaborate with a dynamic team, contribute to publications, and mentor students. This position offers a full-time, fixed-term contract for 12 months, providing an excellent opportunity to advance your career in a supportive and innovative environment. Join a world-leading research institution committed to excellence and inclusivity.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD in conservation/evolutionary genomics required.
• Strong communication and organizational skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct bioinformatic analyses on whole genome data.
• Supervise postgraduate and undergraduate research students.

Skills

Population genetics

Evolutionary theory

Whole genome data analysis

Species delimitation models

Communication skills

Organizational skills

DNA extraction methods

Bioinformatics programming (R)

Education

PhD in population genomics

PhD in evolutionary genomics

PhD in conservation genomics

Tools

High-performance computing cluster

Job description

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Research Assistant/Associate in Conservation and Evolutionary Genomics, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Client:

Newcastle University

Location:

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

143ace5420e0

Job Views:

9

Posted:

08.05.2025

Expiry Date:

22.06.2025

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Job Description:

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 20 May 2025

The Role

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant/Associate to work in the group of Dr Evelyn Jensen in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University on a project funded by the Oak Foundation working in conservation and evolutionary genomics of the Galapagos giant tortoises.

The Galapagos giant tortoises (Chelonoidis sp.) are iconic emblems of both evolutionary biology and the fight to save endangered species. This radiation of at least 15 lineages can be considered a “natural experiment” and is an excellent study system for evolutionary biology, that has the benefit of also being of huge public and conservation interest. Research over the last 20 years using genetic markers such as microsatellites and mitochondrial gene sequencing has revealed much about the history of divergence among lineages and patterns of colonization across the archipelago. The overall goal of the project will be to use an existing whole genome dataset to further the current understanding of speciation and past and present hybridization within the Galapagos giant tortoise lineages. Results from this project will then be used to guide an ancestry-informed captive breeding program, which will be designed during the post.

You should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in conservation / evolutionary genomics. You will be expected to present through oral presentations, write conservation recommendation reports, contribute to publications, requiring strong communication skills. In addition to conducting your research, you will take on some responsibility for training and supervising postgraduate and undergraduate research students within the lab group.

The School of Natural and Environmental Science at Newcastle University is a world-leading centre of research excellence, delivering impact to society from our local area to all corners of the planet. Our school provides a distinctive breadth of subjects and specialisms and our ground-breaking research has led to a wide range of exciting discoveries from new treatments for ovarian cancer to the development of pest-resistant crops.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

For more information about research within the School of Natural and Environmental Science at Newcastle University, please see here.

To apply, please provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person’ by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Evelyn Jensen at the following email address: [emailprotected] .

The post is full time, fixed term for 12 months.

Key Accountabilities

• Undertaking bioinformatic analyses using whole genome data to answer questions of species delimitation and hybridization patterns
• Regular contact with the Principal Investigator to manage workload and provide support for the effective operation of research activities, facilities, and equipment
• Working effectively as part of a team, both with internal colleagues and external partners
• Providing guidance to students on genomic analysis methods and providing specialized training where required
• Presenting results through a combination of oral communication, informal presentations, and written reports
• Contribute to a positive and dynamic research culture within the School of Natural and Environmental Science and the wider University

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Strong knowledge of population genetic and evolutionary theory
• Previous experience in handling and analysing whole genome data, particularly low-coverage whole genome data
• Experience performing species delimitation models and understanding multi-species hybridization
• Proven ability to work with large datasets
• Experience working on a high-performance computing cluster and developing code for genomic analyses
• Experience in designing captive breeding programs from genetic data and communicating results with conservation managers
• Excellent communication skills (including written, verbal and oral communication) with the ability to present internally and externally
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan effectively
• Knowledge on DNA extraction methods for contemporary and historical samples
• A track-record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Experience of day-to-day supervision (e.g. Undergraduate students, or Master’s students
• Expertise in related areas of bioinformatics (e.g. programming in R and developing code to answer conservation questions)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Able to work independently and as part of team
• Enthusiastic, with a strong work ethic
• A strong commitment to integrating our institutional Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy into all research activities, while upholding the highest standards of dignity and respect in the workplace

Qualifications

• Have (or be about to obtain for Research Assistant level) a PhD in population genomics, evolutionary genomics or conservation genomics

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silverAthena Swanaward in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.