(Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Main Purpose of the Job

We are seeking to recruit an individual with a high-level of quantitative skills to develop novel computational and mathematical methods to study the soil microbiome.

Soil is one of the most diverse microbial communities known. As a result it is still relatively understudied and the processes that generate that diversity are poorly understood. At the Earlham Institute we are pioneering methods that use long read metagenomics to fully resolve the genomic diversity of the soil microbiome. These genomes will then form a basis for integration of other forms of ‘omics data, principally metatranscriptomics, and the development of mechanistic mathematical models of the soil microbiome. We are, as part of a larger program of research, generating data both from natural soils and synthetic communities (SynComs) that these methods will be applied to.

The principle role of the position will be to develop these computational methods. These will include bioinformatics pipelines to integrate long and short read metagenomes with metatranscriptomes. But also potentially novel statistical approaches to resolve strain diversity. These would be based around existing methods utilising probabilistic graphical models to integrate multiple sources of data. We envisage that these data could then be used in mathematical community models of the soil and rhizosphere microbiomes.

The position is for three years initially but may be extended based on funding and performance. It will be based within Dr Quince’s group at the Earlham Institute (https://www.earlham.ac.uk/quince-group). In the group we focus on high-resolution tools for microbiome analysis combining both computational and molecular techniques. This position is available at an SC6 level but candidates with sufficient experience in metagenomics bioinformatics, a demonstrated ability to organise and lead analysis of complex data sets, and potentially supervise graduate students, could be appointed at a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist Level SC5.

Key Relationships

Dr Quince (PI) and Dr Christopher Turkington co-workers.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Develop statistical methods for the analysis of metagenomes

Develop bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of microbiome data

Analyse large-scale soil microbiome data sets

Explore methods for mathematical modelling of soil microbiomes

Collaborate with colleagues within and outside the Institute to apply these methods to metagenome studies

Disseminate research findings through attendance at international conferences

Regularly publish results as manuscripts in leading scientific journals or through other relevant media

Organise generation of new data sets

Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate could participate in supervision of students, leading projects and collaborations and leading on the preparation of data/information for grant proposals [essential for SC5 role]

As agreed with line manager, any other duties relevant to and commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

First degree in any area of science

Essential

PhD in bioinformatics or statistics or related subject area with strong element of statistical modelling

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge of software programming in at least one language e.g. R, Python, C/C++

Essential

Good understanding of statistics

Essential

Command line bioinformatics

Essential

Bioinformatics of metagenomics or genomics

Desirable

Bayesian statistics and probabilistic modelling

Desirable

Understanding of soil metabolism

Desirable

Biological understanding of microbial communities

Desirable

Methods for modelling microbial communities

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Proven record in scientific writing

Essential

Experience of oral research presentations

Essential

Experience developing software for genomics or metagenomics

Desirable

Leading projects and collaborations (Essential for SC5)

Desirable

Preparing data / information for grant proposals (Essential for SC5)

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Ability to manage junior team members such as graduate students (Essential for SC5)

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when Essential required

Essential