Postdoctoral Research Associate in Evolution of Host–Microbe Symbioses

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate for a Leverhulme Trust-funded project investigating how horizontal gene transfer drives beneficial host–microbe symbioses.

Many animals rely on microbes for enhanced nutrition and protection, but how these microbes acquire the genes underlying such benefits remains unclear. In the Henry Lab at Queen Mary University of London, you will study how bacteriophages and other mobile genetic elements shape defensive bacterial symbionts in aphids. The project combines comparative genomics, evolutionary biology and molecular ecology to determine how new symbiotic traits emerge and spread.

You will lead genomic, molecular and experimental research, developing techniques including immunofluorescence and gene silencing to characterise host–microbe interactions and link genomic variation to ecological function. You will collaborate internationally, supervise a Leverhulme-funded PhD student, publish in leading journals and present at international conferences.

About You

You will hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, genomics or a related discipline, with a strong publication record appropriate to your career stage.

You should have experience in one or more of the following: comparative genomics, phylogenetics, molecular biology, host–microbe interactions or evolutionary biology, together with experience analysing biological datasets using statistical and computational methods, including proficiency in R and/or Python. Experience with fluorescence microscopy or immunofluorescence, genome assembly, annotation and comparative or evolutionary genomic analyses would be advantageous.

You will be an organised, self-motivated and collaborative researcher with excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of leading independent research, supervising junior researchers and contributing to an inclusive research environment

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences and Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics provide an outstanding interdisciplinary research environment with strengths in evolutionary biology, ecology, genomics and molecular biology, supported by excellent research facilities.

The successful applicant will join the Henry Lab, an internationally recognised group studying the evolution of host–microbe interactions. The lab has a strong track record of high-impact publications, external funding (>£4 million) and mentoring early-career researchers within a collaborative and supportive environment.

More information: https://www.henry-lab.co.uk/

For informal enquiries, contact: l.henry@qmul.ac.uk

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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