Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular Evolution and Functional Genomics (Fixed Term)

We invite applications for a 4-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Molecular Evolution and Functional Genomics, jointly supervised by Dr Gamze Gursoy and Dr Nicola De Maio at the University of Cambridge.

The postholder will be expected to plan and manage their own research and administration, with guidance where required. They will take an active role in both research groups, contribute to the development of graduate student research skills, participate in seminars and workshops, and collaborate with researchers across computational biology, genetics, evolution, genomics, and applied mathematics. 

The successful candidate will work on an interdisciplinary project at the interface of molecular evolution, functional genomics, regulatory genomics, phylogenetics, machine learning, and 3D genome biology. The project will use large-scale comparative genomic resources to investigate how gene regulatory elements evolve across the tree of life, with a particular focus on whether evolutionary constraint propagates between physically interacting genomic elements. 

Applicants should have completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in molecular evolution, evolutionary genomics, computational biology, functional genomics, bioinformatics, phylogenetics, statistical genetics, statistics, machine learning, or a closely related quantitative field. 

To view full candidate requirements please visit our vacancy jobs website.

This position is particularly well suited to a computational researcher who understands both evolutionary theory and functional genomics, and who is excited by the challenge of connecting molecular evolution with genome regulation across deep evolutionary time. Candidates do not need to have expertise in every component of the project but should have strong quantitative foundations and a clear interest in learning across disciplinary boundaries. We especially encourage applications from candidates with training in molecular evolution or phylogenetics who wish to engage more deeply with regulatory genomics and machine learning, or from functional genomics researchers with strong computational skills and an interest in evolutionary modelling.

Please be advised that, in accordance with funding requirements, applicants must not have resided in the UK for more than 24 months immediately prior to the proposed start date.

Start date: 01 October 2026

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Please provide the contact details (including email addresses) of two academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae and a description of your recent research (not to exceed three pages). Please ensure that at least one of your referees is contactable at any time during the selection process and is aware that they will be contacted by the Mathematics HR Administrator and asked to upload a reference to our Web Recruitment System. Please encourage them to do so promptly.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr Gamze Gursoy at gg584@cam.ac.uk or Dr Nicola De Maio at nd597@cam.ac.uk         

If you have any queries about the application process, please email: LE49741@maths.cam.ac.uk

Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date. 

Please quote reference LE49741 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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