Research Associate - School of Geographical Sciences

The School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol invites applications for a 3-year Research Associate position (RA) within the MicroLab research group led by Dr Christopher Williamson. MicroLab specialises in the study of microbial communities, biogeochemical cycles and physical processes in glacial environments, with particular expertise in algal research.

The successful candidate will work on The Leverhulme Trust funded project 'iDAPT: ice Dependent Adaptations for Plant Terrestrialization', examining the potential of cryospheric environments in driving one of the most fundamental transitions in Earth's history - the evolution of land plants. This is a highly inter-disciplinary four year project that brings together the fields of genomics, engineering, glaciology and biology to undertake the first examination of the role of glacial environments in driving the evolution of biological features key for the transition of ancestral Streptophyte algae from freshwater to terrestrial habitats, and in doing so, will significantly advance our understanding of how life excels within present day extreme icy environments.

The advertised position will be responsible for sequencing, assembly, annotation and detailed interrogation of ice-inhabiting Streptophyte algal genomes in order to explore processes that led to the transition of ancestral Streptophytes onto land. This will predominantly be a computer-based role with extensive bioinformatic responsibilities, working under the supervision of Dr Chris Williamson (Geographical Sciences), Dr Tom Williams (Biological Sciences) and Professor Phil Donoghue (Earth Sciences) at the University of Bristol. The successful candidate will also be expected to work alongside other iDAPT team members to translate genomic findings into functionality.

We are particularly interested in applicants working at the intersection between Streptophyte algal evolution and land plant terrestrialization, with demonstrable experience in genome sequencing and interrogation.

The School of Geographical Sciences is the only UK Geography department to be rated first in every Research Assessment Exercise and the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.