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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

We are looking for a Research Associate to join our team exploring how horizontal gene transfer (HGT) shapes plant evolution. This position will bridge large-scale comparative genomics and population genetic approaches to uncover how genes move and persist across plant lineages.

In the first phase of the project, you will analyse 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. The second part of the project will focus on natural populations of the grass Alloteropsis semialata in Tanzania and Zambia. We will generate whole-genome data for thousands of individuals to estimate the frequency spectra of transferred genes, with the aim of inferring the distribution of fitness effects and the background rate of HGT in natural populations

The post will be supervised by Dr Luke Dunning at the University of Sheffield and embedded within the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Research Cluster. This is a highly collaborative project, and it will involve working closely with other post-doctoral researchers and academics from the Universities of Edinburgh, Oxford and Bangor.  

You will lead the bioinformatic and evolutionary analyses, with opportunities to contribute to field sampling and molecular lab work. This is an excellent opportunity to play a central role in a pioneering, interdisciplinary project on genome evolution and adaptation in plants.

Applicants must have 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

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead bioinformatic and phylogenomic analyses to identify and characterise HGT events across flowering plants.
• Analyse whole-genome Illumina datasets from natural populations to estimate the rate and fitness effects of HGT in natural settings.
• Participate in field sampling and molecular laboratory work as required.
• Collaborate closely with project partners across the Universities of Sheffield, Edinburgh, Oxford, and Bangor to ensure effective data sharing, analysis coordination, and synthesis of results.
• Take a lead role in data analysis, interpretation, and preparation of results for publication.
• Prepare manuscripts for submission to leading scientific journals
• Present findings at national and international conferences.
• Attend and contribute to lab meetings and project meetings with collaborators.
• Contribute to the supervision, mentoring, and training of students and other research staff within the lab where appropriate.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and scope of the post as required.

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 does not 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.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place three weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview which will include a research presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk

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
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • 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 Employer. 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 : 09/01/26 

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.