UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1

Temporary 12 months post

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 within UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science.

Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Genomics of Heat Stress Adaptation.

Heat stress is a major driver of mass mortalities under anthropogenic global warming.  Yet, its role in evolutionary rescue remains largely unexplored. This project will investigate whether early-life heat stress induces lasting genomic change across three distinct aquatic ectotherms: the marine ragworm (Hediste diversicolor), the starry-night reed frog (Heterixalus alboguttatus), and zebrafish (Danio rerio). We aim to determine whether heat stress exposure affects mutation rates by activating noncoding genomic elements, thereby accelerating evolutionary processes.

We will use whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomics under early-life heat stress for H. alboguttatus, followed by comprehensive annotation of noncoding elements across its genome and integration with existing datasets from other frog species, zebrafish, and the marine ragworm. This comparative approach will allow us to contrast short-term stress responses with long-term evolutionary adaptation across related and unrelated species.

The project will primarily involve bioinformatic analysis of large-scale genomic datasets, with opportunities for complementary laboratory-based experimental work for interested researchers.

Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 15/10/2025.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website.

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