Join to apply for the Research Assistant/Associate in Phylogenomics role at Newcastle University.
Closing Date: 12 December 2025
Salary
* Research Assistant: £33,002 – £33,951 per annum
* Research Associate: £35,608 – £46,049 per annum
The Role
Applications are invited for a Research Associate to work in the group of Dr Evelyn Jensen in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University on a project constructing a dated nuclear phylogeny for the radiation of Galapagos giant tortoises. The position is available for 6 months. In‑person working in Newcastle, hybrid or remote working could be arranged.
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, with 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 colonisation across the archipelago. The overall goal of the project will be to use an existing whole‑genome dataset to further the current understanding of radiation by constructing for the first time a dated nuclear phylogeny that includes both extinct and extant Galapagos giant tortoise lineages. From this phylogeny, biogeographic reconstructions to understand the colonisation of the Galapagos will be built.
You should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in conservation / evolutionary genomics and be familiar with phylogenomic methods. You will be expected to present through oral presentations and contribute to publications, requiring strong communication skills. In addition to conducting your research, you will take on some responsibility for mentoring postgraduate and undergraduate research students within the lab group.
Key Accountabilities
* Undertaking bioinformatic analyses using whole‑genome data to construct phylogenies and biogeographic models.
* 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 specialised 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 Sciences and the wider University.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Strong knowledge of population genetic, phylogenomic and evolutionary theory
* Previous experience building complex phylogenies
* Previous experience in handling and analysing whole‑genome data
* Proven ability to work with large datasets
* Experience working on a high‑performance computing cluster and developing code for genomic analyses
* Excellent communication skills (including written, verbal and oral communication) with the ability to present internally and externally
* Excellent organisational skills and ability to plan effectively
* Experience performing divergence‑time estimation (e.g., using BEAST), and biogeographic modelling (Desirable)
* A track‑record of publications in peer‑reviewed scientific journals (Desirable)
* Experience of day‑to‑day supervision (e.g., undergraduate or master’s students) (Desirable)
* Expertise in related areas of bioinformatics (e.g., programming in R and developing code to answer conservation questions) (Desirable)
Attributes and Behaviour
* Able to work independently and as part of a 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 a PhD in population genomics, evolutionary genomics or conservation genomics for Research Associate level
* Or be about to obtain a PhD in population genomics, evolutionary genomics or conservation genomics for Research Assistant level
* A master’s degree in biology.
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, believing 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 Gold Athena Swan award 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.
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