"Postdoctoral Research Associate"

University of Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours (minimum 0.8 FTE) or job-sharing arrangements.

This new full-time post is available from May 2026 on a fixed-term basis until October 2027.

Summary of the role

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to participate in a collaborative project funded by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA): ‘UK serotine bat populations’, under a wider project investigating the epidemiology and transmission of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 in the UK, led by APHA. This project will further our understanding of bat host population genomics and adaptations to changing environmental conditions and disease resistance, focusing on the UK serotine bat, Cnephaeus serotinus, population. This project will combine with studies of bat host responses to European Bat Lyssavirus infection and bat host ecology to understand the emergence and sustainability of this potentially fatal zoonotic disease in the UK. The successful applicant will lead on the bat genomic data analysis aspects of the project, working closely with APHA.

The post will include carrying out bioinformatics and analysis of whole genome sequencing datasets (including genome assembly, SNP calling, population genomics, landscape genomics data analysis and modelling demographic history), linking bat genomic data to European Bat Lyssavirus 1 prevalence and transmission patterns, leading the writing of manuscripts, working with project partners and contributing to dissemination of project outputs. See more about our research at https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/34371-orly-razgour.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to carry out the bioinformatics and population genomics work under this project, present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, verbally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will hold a relevant PhD or an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will have sufficient bioinformatics skills and experience using Hight Performance Computing clusters to assemble whole genomes and analyse genomic data, work closely with project partners and be proficient in R and population genetics analysis.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

Further information

For further information please contact Orly Razgour, e-mail O.Razgour@exeter.ac.uk.