Research Associate (Molecular Ecology/Bioinformatics)

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave purchase

Pension scheme

Flexible working

Discounts

Development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a motivated researcher to join the NEOF in the Genomics Laboratory, School of Biosciences, to advance training and data analysis in environmental omics. You will develop training modules, assist users with datasets and contribute to diverse projects including species detection and genome assembly.

Applicants should hold a PhD in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics, with strong programming skills (Linux, R, Python or PERL) and HPC experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics, with genetic analyses (eDNA, population structure, etc.).
• Experience generating metabarcoding or population genetics data and analyses.
• Excellent analytical skills and experience with HPC clusters.
• Ability to design experiments and plan analyses.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with the NEOF Facility Director and staff on work schedules and progress.
• Support NEOF staff and users with data analysis and bioinformatics.
• Deliver and develop training in the analysis of genomic data.
• Provide feedback on enquiries and cost estimates for facility use.
• Develop and maintain pipelines, scripts and databases for the facility.
• Represent NEOF at occasional external activities such as workshops and conferences.
• Assist with administration of NEOF and the lab's HPC activities.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Genomics

R programming

Python/Perl

HPC

Data analysis

Education

PhD in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics

Tools

Linux

R

Python

PERL

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This post will primarily support the work of the NERC Environmental Omics Facility (NEOF), based in the Genomics Laboratory of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology cluster in the School of Biosciences, but also a number of research projects based in the Laboratory. The Genomics Laboratory is led by Professor Terry Burke and the NEOF Visitor Facility is led by Professor Jon Slate.

NEOF in Sheffield supports environmental omics research across the UK, with responsibility for supporting the laboratory work of users who access the NEOF Visitor Facility. Visiting researchers receive training while undertaking their own analyses. NEOF supports a range of molecular techniques to tackle research questions in environmental, ecological and evolutionary biology, but has expertise in genome sequencing, marker analysis, population genomics, evolutionary genetics, pedigree analysis, metabarcoding and the detection and interpretation of environmental DNA and RNA. It has outstanding facilities and equipment to support this work, including access to a full range of sequencing, genotyping and DNA preparation technologies, robotics, clean rooms and high-performance computing.

The appointee will deliver existing on-line and in-person regular training courses in a range of bioinformatics, develop new training modules, assist NEOF users with the analysis of their datasets, and contribute to research projects including, for example, the detection of rare or endangered species in environmental samples, using low-coverage genome sequencing methods in studies of avian life history, assembling de‑novo genomes, and investigating the role of inversions in natural populations of non‑model species.

Applicants should have a PhD (or be close to completion / have equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics, including genetic analyses (for example, diet analysis, studies of biodiversity, eDNA, population structure, mating systems, linkage mapping, genome assembly, comparative genomics or phylogenetics) and possess excellent analytical skills. Programming skills (e.g., Linux, R, PYTHON or PERL) and experience of high-performance computing clusters are also essential.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Liaise with the Director of the NEOF Visitor Facility in Sheffield and Facility staff in Sheffield and Liverpool over work schedules and progress
• Support NEOF staff and users with data analysis and bioinformatics
• Deliver and develop training in the analysis of genomic data
• Provide feedback on enquiries and applications to use the Facility, including cost estimates
• Provide feedback on Facility-supported work and manuscripts
• Produce optimised easy‑to‑follow protocols and pipelines or computer scripts to enable staff and users with appropriate statistical and molecular population genetic tools
• Establish and maintain appropriate databases for managing and curating NEOF and Genomics Facility data, samples, and projects
• Ensure that the tools used by the Facility remain at the cutting edge and keep up to date with latest techniques and analyses
• Conduct agreed research and development activities that lead to published outputs
• Continuously monitor and check progress of Facility projects; the unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments
• Assist with the administration of NEOF and lab activities in the University’s High‑Performance Computing facility
• Represent NEOF at occasional external activities such as workshops and conferences
• Other tasks to ensure the efficient functioning, success, and development of the NEOF Visitor Facility and the host laboratory, as required
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Hold a PhD (or be close to completion / have equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics, including genetic analyses (for example, diet analysis, studies of biodiversity, eDNA, population structure, mating systems, linkage mapping, genome assembly, comparative genomics or phylogenetics)

Essential

Application

Experience in generating metabarcoding, population genetics or molecular ecological data and in their analysis, including designing experiments and NGS datasets

Desirable

Application and Interview

Programming skills (e.g., Linux, R, PYTHON or PERL) and experience of high-performance computing clusters

Essential

Application and Interview

Experience of data validation techniques, including those used in metabarcoding and ability to critically assess data quality

Desirable

Application and Interview

Peer‑reviewed publications in international journals

Essential

Application

Experience of supervising and training other researchers, such as PhD students and technicians

Essential

Interview

Ability to organise, manage and analyse large datasets

Essential

Application and Interview

Good time management and ability to work to deadlines

Essential

Interview

Proven ability to efficiently manage and deliver on multiple parallel projects

Desirable

Interview

Effective written and verbal communication skills, scientific paper writing skills and experience of delivering presentations

Essential

Application and Interview

Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to enquiries and requests for advice

Essential

Interview

Ability to write user‑friendly protocols

Essential

Application and Interview

Experience of successful collaboration within a team, and ability to take instruction and work to deadlines

Essential

Application and Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

£38,784 – £39,906 per annum

Work arrangement

Full‑time (100% FTE)

Duration

Fixed‑term until 31 March 2027

Line manager

Professor of Evolutionary Genetics

Direct reports

None

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

School of Biosciences

NEOF

Genomics Laboratory Facility

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview including a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 21/09/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.