Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Molecular Ecology

The role

We are excited to appoint a highly motivated molecular ecologist (Research Associate/Senior Research Associate) to join the European Research Council funded RECONNECT project, led by Dr Hannah Griffiths. The successful candidate will determine how forest creation effects belowground network connectivity by creating detailed, multi-species maps of mycorrhizal networks between trees in differently regenerating forests using genotyping-by-sequencing of root and fungal samples. Combined, the RECONNECT team will determine how reforestation strategies influence soil carbon stock accumulation and stability (PhD #1), the reassembly and structure of soil networks (this position) via differences in the quantity of carbon that enters soil foodwebs by the root-fungus pathway (postdoctoral position #2), and whether observed differences cascade to impact the routes by which carbon enters and is stabilised in the soil (PhD position #2). You will work closely with the PI, Dr Hannah Griffiths, and other RECONNECT team members as well as collaboratively with the wider research group.  

This full time 3-year position will involve a combination of field and lab work but crucially, we are seeking someone with the relevant technical expertise to generate, analyse and manage large datasets generated by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) of fungal and tree-root DNA to identify fungal individuals (genets) of any species (without the need for prior genomic information) on tree roots and link them to individual trees.  

What will  you be doing?

Working withing a collaborative Bristol-based team and supported by Project Partners in Forest Research and Lancaster University, you will: 1) coordinate and carry out field work across forest plots in England; 2) coordinate lab-work to extract root and fungus material for sequencing; 3) carry out bioinformatic processing of resultant large datasets generated by RADseq; 4) carry out network analyses and generate multi-species maps of interconnected trees; and 5) lead in writing and dissemination of results in academic journals and present findings at international conferences.  

You should apply if

You must have a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. ecology, biology, molecular biology, population genetics), or be near completion (to be appointed at grade I); have demonstrated experience in bioinformatic processing of large molecular datasets; have demonstrated experience in partial or whole genome sequencing data to differentiate individuals within a population; to be appointed at grade J, you will have been further developing your technical bioinformatics and molecular skillsets in relevant research position post-PhD; be a collegiate person who is able to work effectively as part of a team; have a track-record of first author publications commensurate with career stage; some experience of field work is an advantage, but not essential  

For informal enquiries please contact Hannah Griffiths, Senior Research Fellow and Proleptic Senior Lecturer; Hannah.griffiths@bristol.ac.uk

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