Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in the Functional Morphology of Trilobite Eyes

The role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated postdoc to work on the HFSP-funded project, ‘Windows to the past: functional evolution of vision in trilobites’. The overall project aims to reconstruct how trilobites saw the world around them, determine how their vision was interwoven with their evolutionary longevity and success, and identify optical and neural principles that align with, or diverge from, modern arthropods.

The successful applicant will lead a sub-project that focuses on developing and applying new methods for predicting the visual capabilities of trilobites from their preserved eye structure. This will use three-dimensional data from micro-CT and synchrotron tomography to reconstruct key morphological traits that contribute to visual function, and geometric and optical modelling to explore the implications for vision.

You will also contribute to the wider interdisciplinary team, which includes collaborations with Dr Luke Parry (University of Oxford, UK: evolution of trilobite eyes) and Prof. Gil Ju Lee (Pusan National University, South Korea: biomimetic applications).

Hybrid working is available although you are expected to be in the department more than 50% of the time.

What will you be doing?

You will be responsible for the development of an analytical pipeline that extracts key morphological features from 3D data and uses these to make functional predictions about trilobite vision. You will build on and adapt existing Python-based tools for the segmentation and analysis of compound eye structure (e.g. Currea et al. 2023, Comms Biol https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04575-x), for application to trilobite eyes. This will include developing novel technical elements, e.g. reconstructing or interpolating missing data from incomplete preservation of lens arrays or individual lenses. You will use these data to investigate the potential visual capabilities of trilobite eyes across different taxa and light environments. You will also work with our project partners: palaeontologists, to interpret evolutionary patterns in eye size, shape, and structure, and engineers, to exchange hypotheses on optical and neural function.

You should apply if

You are creative, analytical, and excited by functional morphology and animal vision. The role is best suited to someone with experience of extracting and analysing 3D data, and/or theoretical modelling visual abilities or optical systems. Experience with geometric analysis in Python is ideal, but enthusiasm, commitment to learn, and demonstrable ability to do so are also acceptable. Ability to take the initiative, and to solve problems logically and creatively, will be crucial to the project’s success. Commitment to accessible research, a collaborative culture, and excellent data management practices are essential. 

Additional information

Contract type: Open Ended (fixed funding until 31/07/2029)

Work pattern: Full-time. Part-time will be considered.

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 26th August 2026

For informal queries please contact: Lauren Sumner-Rooney, Lecturer, via email: lauren.sumner-rooney@bristol.ac.uk

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