Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role
A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in Dr Alex de Mendoza’s laboratory in the Department of Biology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London.

Building on ongoing work in the group on the evolution of eukaryotic DNA methylation (www.demendozalab.com), the project will focus on the comparative and evolutionary analysis of DNA base modifications beyond 5-methylcytosine (5mC). The postdoctoral researcher will further develop and apply Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing approaches to detect and characterise non-canonical DNA modifications (including 6-methyladenine) across diverse eukaryotic lineages, integrating experimental genomics of unicellular eukaryotes with evolutionary and bioinformatic analyses.

The post is full-time, with an initial contract of 10 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. The main responsibilities include experimental design, Nanopore sequencing and data analysis, phylogenetics and genome annotation, and preparation of manuscripts for publication. There will also be opportunities to contribute to supervision of students and to collaborate with international partners.

About You
The ideal candidate will have or be about to complete a PhD in Genetics, Evolution, Biochemistry, or a related field. Have experience with epigenomics research, Oxford Nanopore sequencing, and data analysis using R or Python. With desirable skills include experience with culturing unicellular eukaryotes and comparative genomics.

You will hold strong communication skills and effective collaboration, with demonstrable outcomes. Self-motivation, teamwork abilities, and excellent research management skills.

Informal enquiries please contact Dr Alex de Mendoza (a.demendoza@qmul.ac.uk).

About the School/Department/Institute/Project
The role sits within the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, one of the largest Schools within Queen Mary University of London. The school has a strong research output and demanding educational standards for its students, but all members benefit from a high level of academic and social integration. In addition, the school is committed to equality of opportunity and holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award.

About Queen Mary
At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits
We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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