Research Fellow in Molecular Ecology (MosquitoNI)

About the Job:

The School of Biological Sciences is currently seeking to appoint a Research Fellow. The appointee will join the Environmental Change Biology Laboratory on a project focused on mosquito-borne disease risks under anthropogenic environmental gradients. They will work in a multidisciplinary team that includes ecologists, virologists, and mathematical modellers in collaboration across Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Glasgow, and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

The successful candidate will work within the new 4-year “MosquitoNI: Mosquito-borne disease risk to Northern Ireland under environmental change” project, funded by BBSRC’s New Investigator Award scheme. The project focuses on understanding the implications of climate and land use changes for mosquito-borne disease risk, while addressing regional paucities in knowledge around arthropod vectors and their viruses in Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be expected to work with wider governmental, charitable, and industrial stakeholders, alongside the general public, to translate project outcomes and achieve effective engagement and outreach.

The candidate will lead the research and deliver reports/publications thereafter in a timely and professional manner. Priority will be given to candidates with research interests in vector-borne disease, and particularly the use of molecular approaches to identify arthropod species, detect potential pathogens, and construct viromes. It is also essential that the candidate has experience in conducting fieldwork to collect ecological samples, as well as experience in advanced statistical modelling to analyse project data.

About the Person

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• BSc in Ecology, Molecular Biology, Biology or relevant life sciences subject.
• Have or about to obtain a PhD in a relevant area of Ecology, Molecular Biology, or similar (*must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment).
• Demonstrable relevant research experience in conducting molecular analyses of arthropod vectors and/or viruses.
• Demonstrable experience in arthropod vector ecology and morphological identification.
• Evidence of peer-reviewed publication in a relevant area of research.
• Demonstrable experience in molecular methods, such as PCR or RNA sequencing.
• Demonstrable bioinformatic skills, including comparative genomics and/or viromics.
• Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes.
• Demonstrable methodical approach to project management and meticulous in regard to experimental procedures and record keeping.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information document on our website.

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