Location: Highfield Campus
Salary: £30,395 to £31,302
Full Time Fixed Term (3 years)
Closing Date: Friday 02 November 2018
Reference: 1064218BJ
We seek a Research Fellow to investigate “The contribution of plasticity to adaptive divergence: domestication as a model”. The NERC/BBSRC co-funded project provides support for 3 years from 7th January 2019 to work with Dr Mark Chapman in the Ecology and Evolution group at the University of Southampton (
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/biosci/about/staff/mc1c12.page), co-supervised by Dr Tom Ezard in Ocean and Earth Science (
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/oes/about/staff/te1e12.page).
The goal of this project is to study the evolution of plasticity, comparing crops to their wild relatives, as a model for understanding the genetic basis and role of plasticity in adaptive divergence and the early emergence of new taxa.
You will have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant subject area, with a strong evolutionary and genomic/transcriptomic component. A high level of competence in bioinformatics is required, with relevant experience demonstrated by publications in peer reviewed journals where possible. Competency in statistics and programming would be advantageous and experience with plants desirable. You should be a highly motivated scientist, capable of contributing to developing your own research project, a good team worker and an excellent communicator.
Chapman and Ezard are interested in fusing evolutionary theory with experimental approaches, and you would be expected to contribute intellectually to the development of the project. A broad interest in evolution as a whole is required. The current work will use extensive greenhouse and laboratory experiments coupled with transcriptome, whole genome and methylome analyses to decipher the contribution of plasticity to adaptive divergence. It offers excellent potential for publishing in high impact journals and developing independent research agendas.
You will assume leadership on the project, including significant intellectual contribution, setting up experiments and involvement in making decisions about current and future research directions. You will work in a highly collaborative atmosphere supported by state-of-the-art research facilities that will provide a perfect environment to carry out the project.
For informal enquiries, please email Dr Mark Chapman (
[email protected]) in the first instance.
*Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.
Equal Opportunities and Benefits: Biological Sciences holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, demonstrating commitment to equal opportunities and gender balance in the workplace. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted.
The University of Southampton has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities; employees are able to participate in the childcare vouchers scheme. Other benefits include state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts.
Please include a covering letter, full CV and names and contact details for three referees in your application.
Application Procedure:
You should submit your completed online application form at
http://www.jobs.soton.ac.uk/www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Sam Stubbs (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0)23 8059 4046. Please quote reference 1064218BJ on all correspondence.
