Post-doctoral Research Fellow - AR3357

University of St Andrews; St Andrews; Presencial; GBP 39.000 - 46.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

University of St Andrews is seeking a committed post-doctoral research fellow in evolutionary genomics for a 36-month fixed-term project in Scotland. The successful candidate will work on testing the genetic coupling hypothesis of speciation, beginning 11 January 2027, with responsibilities spanning fieldwork, genome sequencing and annotation, and functional validation.

Applicants should have a PhD in evolutionary biology or evolutionary genomics and strong bioinformatics skills, including

Formación

• PhD in evolutionary biology or evolutionary genomics, with strong bioinformatics focus.
• Experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data and functional validation.
• Ability to perform fieldwork and organism sampling, including Southeast Asia.
• Experience with genome assembly/annotation and comparative genomics is desirable.

Responsabilidades

• Perform fieldwork to collect Teleogryllus species.
• Sequence and annotate chromosomally contiguous reference genomes.
• Phenotype reproductive barrier traits including acoustic and chemical preferences.
• Perform ultra-high resolution genetic association mapping.
• Analyze evolutionary history of barrier loci via comparative genomics.
• Functionally validate candidates using gene knockdowns.
• Analyze data, write and submit manuscripts, and present at conferences.

Conocimientos

Bioinformatic analysis

NGS data analysis

Functional validation

Fieldwork

Statistical analysis

Educación

PhD in evolutionary biology/evolutionary genomics

Herramientas

RNAi

Long-read sequencing data

Hi-C

Transcriptome analysis

Descripción del empleo

Start Date: 11 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Hours: 36.25 hours per week, full-time.

Duration: fixed-term for 36 months.

Applications are sought for a committed post-doctoral research fellow in evolutionary genomics to work on a 3-year project entitled: Testing the genetic coupling hypothesis of speciation.

The project, led by Prof Nathan Bailey at the University of St Andrews, tests one of the most prominent, but surprisingly under-studied, theories explaining rapid divergence via sexual trait-preference coevolution: the genetic coupling model of speciation. We will comprehensively test this model using ultra-high resolution genetic mapping, comparative genomics, and gene knockdown studies in the original group of organisms in which it was proposed: field crickets. The project involves collaborators Prof Michael Ritchie at the University of St Andrews, Prof Thomas Schmitt at the University of Würzburg, and Prof Xiao Zhang at Tianjin Normal University.

Primary duties will be to:

• Perform fieldwork to collect multiple species of a well-studied southeast Asian field cricket genus, Teleogryllus.
• Sequence and annotate chromosomally contiguous reference genomes.
• Phenotype reproductive barrier traits including acoustic and chemical preferences.
• Perform ultra-high resolution genetic association mapping to identify reproductive barrier loci.
• Analyse the evolutionary history of barrier loci using comparative genomic approaches.
• Functionally validate candidates using gene knockdowns.
• Analyse data, write and submit manuscripts, and present at conferences.

The successful applicant will have (or be near to completion of) a PhD in evolutionary biology/evolutionary genomics, with expertise in bioinformatic analysis of next-generation sequencing data and functional validation approaches.

Experience with the following specific methods is desirable:

• genome assembly and annotation using long read, Hi-C, and transcriptome data
• behavioural analysis of sexual traits and preferences
• comparative genomics
• RNAi, fieldwork

The post is available for 36 months starting 11th January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information enquiries can be directed to Nathan Bailey: [e-mail].

Closing Date: 13 November 2026

Interview Date: 30 November 2026

Please Quote Ref: AR3357CM

Job Description: AR3357CM FPs.pdf

£38,784 to £46,049 per annum.