Research Fellow

Start Date: 15 September or as soon as possible thereafter

Fixed Term: 18 months

Applications are sought for a committed Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work with Dr Rui Borges conducting research for the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) funded project P37050 entitled “Inferring gene flow from phylogenies with ubiquitous genomes”. Evolutionary biologists have gathered substantial evidence showing that most species evolve while exchanging genetic material. However, the extent of these gene flow events is not yet fully understood. With new genome sequencing technologies, we now have the data to quantify these events, but we need new mathematical models and statistical methods, especially over longer time scales, where the direction and magnitude of gene flow are challenging to infer. This project aims to develop these tools, advancing our understanding of how species diverge and, ultimately, how biodiversity forms.

The successful applicant will have (or be near to completion of) a PhD and have expertise in any two of the following: (1) evolutionary biology, (2) statistical inference, (3) mathematical modelling and (4) computational biology. We also welcome applications from statisticians and mathematicians or computer scientists, even without prior knowledge from evolutionary biology, that wish to diversify their career.

The post is available for 18 months starting 15 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

•  Annual leave of 34 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Financial contribution to relocation
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
• A range of wellbeing initiatives including membership of Peppy, a health application that connects staff to expert practitioners and personalized support on health matters

Further details of the project can be found at https://mrborges23.github.io/mypage/flowt.html or by contacting Dr Rui Borges (rb251@st-andrews.ac.uk). 

Applications are particularly welcome from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ Disabled and Neurodiverse staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities or Neurodiversity Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/

Please quote ref: AR3158DD

Further Particulars: AR3158DD FPs.pdf

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