Senior Research Associate in Whale Biomechanics and Evolution

The role

This is a full-time senior research associate post funded by a NERC Pushing the Frontiers grant awarded to Dr. Katrina Jones at University of Bristol and Prof. Erin Saupe at University of Oxford, and in collaboration with Prof. Paul Valdes and Dr. Alex Farnsworth at University of Bristol. The aim of the project is to examine the biomechanical and ecological underpinnings of whale locomotor behaviours, and their evolution through the Cenozoic associated with long-term climatic change. The project objectives are to: 1. Examine the relationship between body shape and locomotor mode using computations fluid dynamics; 2. Elucidate the link between ecology and migration using ecological niche modelling; and 3. Reconstruct evolutionary patterns in body shape and ecology through the Cenozoic. The successful candidate will work closely with another PDRA working in Oxford in the Saupe lab.

What will you be doing?

The senior research associate will act as the principal researcher responsible for achieving objective one and will collaborate with the Oxford PDRA on objective three. They will conduct research on morphological variation in body shape in whales, and its biomechanical implications, using a variety of computational approaches including multivariate shape analysis, phylogenetic comparative methods, and computational fluid dynamics. The work involves primarily office-based computational research, with some museum collections work. The successful candidate will be expected to prepare and deliver in-house and conference presentations and manuscripts as appropriate. There will be opportunity for gaining some teaching and mentoring experience co-supervising masters projects and delivering some undergraduate and M-level teaching.

You should apply if

Essential

• Experience in analysis of morphological form and/or function.
• Excellent computational skills demonstrating ability to implement a range of methods in various software and/or coding languages
• Knowledge of evolutionary biology, palaeobiology, evolutionary morphology
• Academic research publication track record compatible with career stage

Desirable

• Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in OpenFOAM or similar software, or willingness to learn
• Experience applying CFD to anatomical or biological models
• Working knowledge of cetacean evolution, anatomy, or ecology
• Experience working with tomographic datasets of fossils and/or extant taxa

Essential qualifications:

• PhD in related field e.g., Palaeontology, Comparative Anatomy, Functional Morphology, Biomechanics (can be submitted, awaiting viva) or equivalent professional experience in the research area required.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 30/09/2028

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 16/09/2025

For informal queries, please contact Katrina Jones, Katrina.jones@bristol.ac.uk

Our strategy and mission

Available documents

• ACAD108225 - Senior Research Associate - JD.pdf
• Science Engineering Further Particulars 2024-2025.pdf

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