Enable job alerts via email!

Research Associate in Paleogenomics (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge

Cambridge

On-site

GBP 32,000 - 45,000

Full time

3 days ago
Be an early applicant

Boost your interview chances

Create a job specific, tailored resume for higher success rate.

Job summary

Le groupe Durbin au département de génétique de l'Université de Cambridge recherche un postdoctorant en bioinformatique génomique pour analyser des données ADN anciennes provenant de sites arctiques et antarctiques. Ce poste impliquera des responsabilités complètes, de la collecte de données à la publication des résultats dans un environnement de recherche collaboratif, d'une durée jusqu'à mars 2027.

Qualifications

  • Doctorat en génétique, bioinformatique ou domaine connexe requis.
  • Expertise prouvée en bioinformatique génomique et phylogénétique nécessaire.
  • Capacité à travailler avec des ensembles de données complexes et faire preuve d'indépendance.

Responsibilities

  • Diriger l'analyse des ensembles de données ADN anciennes provenant de sources arctiques et antarctiques.
  • Effectuer le traitement de données génomiques de bout en bout.
  • Organiser et diriger des expéditions sur le terrain pour collecter des carottes sédimentaires.

Skills

Genomic bioinformatics
Phylogenetics
Ancient sedimentary DNA analysis
Statistical methods
Computational methods

Education

PhD in Genetics, Bioinformatics, or related field

Tools

Software tools for ancient DNA research

Job description

The Durbin Group in the Department of Genetics is seeking a postdoctoral Research Associate with strong expertise in genomic bioinformatics, phylogenetics and ancient sedimentary DNA analysis to lead the analysis of ancient DNA datasets from a range of Arctic and Antarctic sites. These datasets include both sedimentary DNA and mammalian fossil DNA, and have been dated to more than a million years ago. The position is in collaboration with Professor Eske Willerslev, as part of the AEGIS (Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability) joint project with the University of Copenhagen. The role will involve full responsibility for several projects, from initial data processing through to interpretation and publication. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of geologists, paleoecologists, and molecular biologists to integrate genomic data with broader environmental and temporal context. This is a unique opportunity to work on globally significant, deep-time datasets in a supportive and collaborative research environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the analysis of ancient DNA datasets from Arctic and Antarctic sedimentary and fossil sources, some dating back over one million years.
  • Perform end-to-end genomic data processing, including quality control, assembly, annotation, and downstream bioinformatics analyses.
  • Develop and apply statistical and computational methods for analysing paleogenomic data, including sequence evolution modelling.
  • Organise and lead field expeditions to collect sediment cores and carry out subsequent subsampling for ancient DNA extraction.
  • Coordinate closely with collaborators, including geologists, paleoecologists, and molecular biologists, to integrate genomic findings with environmental and temporal data.
  • Take full ownership of assigned projects, driving them from conception through to interpretation and peer-reviewed publication.
  • Present findings at internal meetings and international conferences, and contribute to outreach and interdisciplinary discussions.
  • Maintain accurate and well-documented workflows, ensuring reproducibility and data integrity.
  • Contribute to the development of novel software tools and pipelines tailored to ancient DNA research needs.
  • Support a collaborative and inclusive research culture within the Durbin Group and the AEGIS consortium.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Professor Richard Durbin rd109@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC46200 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Further information
  • Further Particulars
Get your free, confidential resume review.
or drag and drop a PDF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, or PAGES file up to 5MB.