Research Associate - Plant Phylogenomics

University of Sheffield - School of Biosciences

Location:

Sheffield, Hybrid

Salary:

£38,784 to £44,746 per annum.

Hours:

Full Time

Contract Type:

Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 26th March 2026
Closes: 23rd April 2026
Job Ref: 2376

Are you a motivated and creative evolutionary biologist with a passion for plant–genome analysis? We have an exciting opportunity in the School of Biosciences for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join Dr Luke Dunning’s research group. This is an excellent opportunity to play a central role in a pioneering, interdisciplinary project aimed at determining the frequency of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) across flowering plants.

In this role, you will lead bioinformatic and phylogenomic analyses of over 400 flowering plant genomes from the Darwin Tree of Life initiative and use phylogenomic pipelines to quantify the frequency and diversity of HGT across angiosperms. You will collaborate closely with partners across the Universities of Sheffield, Edinburgh and Oxford to ensure effective data sharing, analysis coordination, and synthesis of results contributing to publications, presentations, and project reporting, and work collaboratively with PhD students, research technicians.

Applicants must have or be close to completion of a PhD (or equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in a relevant area along with a proven track record of research in an appropriate area of biology. Expertise in developing bioinformatic pipelines and experience of phylogenomic analysis are also essential. You will be able to work independently, manage your time effectively, and communicate clearly within a multidisciplinary team. Enthusiasm, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset are also essential.

At the University of Sheffield, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a competitive annual leave entitlement, flexible working opportunities, a generous pension scheme, and a commitment to your professional development and wellbeing.

Find out more at sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

We build teams of people from diverse heritages and lifestyles whose talents and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching, and student experience.