Postdoctoral Scientist - Beetle-Microbe Evolutionary Genomics

The John Innes Centre; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The John Innes Centre in Norwich seeks a scientist to study the Evolutionary Genetics of Beetle-Microbe Symbiosis, using comparative and population genomics to understand origins and consequences of symbiosis in beetles. You will collaborate across Molecular Microbiology and related departments.

Key tasks include phylogenomic reconstructions, diversification analyses, and integrating genomic data with ecological context, with dissemination through preprints and publications, and mentoring

Qualifications

• Experience with comparative and/or population genomic analyses.
• Experience with macroevolutionary and diversification-rate analyses desirable; essential.
• Strong programming skills in R and/or Python; Unix/Bash for large-scale genomic data.
• Experience in oral research presentations.
• Proficiency with phylogenetic/phylogenomic tools and divergence-time estimation.
• Proven record in scientific writing; grant proposal preparation desirable.
• Experience mentoring visitors and students desirable.

Responsibilities

• Generate and analyse comparative and population genomic datasets across beetle lineages.
• Perform phylogenomic reconstruction and divergence-time estimation.
• Apply macroevolutionary methods to link symbiosis with diversification.
• Analyse long-read host and symbiont genome assemblies for signatures of transitions.
• Identify genes and pathways shaped by symbiosis using molecular evolution approaches.
• Integrate genomic and ecological data to test symbiosis-driven diversification.
• Disseminate results via preprints, publications, conferences; mentor students.

Skills

Comparative genomics

Population genomics

Phylogenomics

R programming

Python programming

Unix/Bash

Education

BSc or equivalent in developmental biology, entomology, molecular biology, evo-devo, or microbiology

PhD in a related discipline

Tools

IQ-TREE

RAxML

MrBayes

ASTRAL

Job description

The John Innes Centre in Norwich seeks a scientist to study the Evolutionary Genetics of Beetle-Microbe Symbiosis, using comparative and population genomics to understand origins and consequences of symbiosis in beetles. You will collaborate across Molecular Microbiology and related departments.

Key tasks include phylogenomic reconstructions, diversification analyses, and integrating genomic data with ecological context, with dissemination through preprints and publications, and mentoring