Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to work on a NERC-funded project investigating the evolutionary dynamics of virus resistance in wild animal populations. The post will be supervised by Professor Frank Jiggins in the Department of Genetics.

The project will consist of the analysis of data from a population of wild rabbits in Australia that have been followed and sampled regularly for 25 years. During this period there have been regular outbreaks of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), a highly contagious, often fatal virus.

This post will oversee the generation of genomic data in the laboratory. The project aims to sequence the genomes of several thousand rabbits and several hundred virus isolates, some from challenging starting material. The applicant will have extensive experience of molecular biology, with a proven track record of handling large numbers of samples, constructing sequencing libraries, designing amplicon sequencing panels, and working with a range of different tissue types. They will need to work closely with our collaborators to organize the samples and supervise technicians.

Key responsibilities:

• High throughput processing of samples and development of protocols for nucleic acid extraction and Illumina sequencing
• Write-up results and methods ready for submission as manuscripts
• Work with partners and researchers assisting with the molecular genetic work and sample organisation
• Be an active member of the lab, including contributing to wider group discussions

The position is offered for an initial period of 3 months in the first instance, to start as soon as possible, and will require periods of time at the University of Adelaide in Australia.