Postdoc in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses- University of Sheffield

The Department of Animal & Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, UK has a new Postdoctoral Research Position in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses. This position is funded by a NERC Standard Grant ‘Excavating the roots of the tree of life: revealing a billion year record for the euglenids’ lead by Professor Charles Wellman. The project involves a study of the fossil record of the protist group euglenids that occupy a critical phylogenetic position at the base of the eukaryotes. The PDRA role is to take these fossil data and link them to characters of living euglenids (morphological and molecular) in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses of the euglenids and eukaryotes in general. This will shed light on the nature and timing of the primary adaptive radiation of the eukaryotes.

The project involves an extensive research team of academics from the UK and overseas, including: Professor Brian Leander (an expert on extant euglenids) and Dr Pascal-Antoine Christin (an expert in phylogenetic methods and trait evolution). The PDRA will work closely with the above academics in; (i) developing a database of euglenid characters (notably pellicle wall characters) and incorporating this into phylogenetic analyses; (ii) developing a database of eukaryote first appearances in the fossil record and incorporating this into molecular clock analyses of eukaryote diversification.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONYou should provide evidence in your application that you meet the following criteria:-
- Have a Ph.D. in a relevant subject area.
- Proven experience in research on advanced methods of phylogenetic analyses and trait evolution.
- Proven experience in research on advanced methods of molecular clock analyses (including the implementation of fossil calibrations).

JOB DESCRIPTION
This is a one-year fixed term postdoctoral position to work under the direction of Professor Charles Wellman on a NERC Standard grant ‘Excavating the roots of the tree of life: revealing a billion year record for the euglenids’. The PDRA will work in collaboration with a team of academics and be responsible for:-
- Creating a database of euglenid pellicle characters for extant and fossil forms. The former will be derived from Project Partner Leander’s published and unpublished material. The latter will be derived from wall ultrastructure work on newly discovered fossils recently conducted by team members Wellman, Strother and Taylor.
- Incorporating the above database into phylogenetic analyses of the euglenids. This will involve manipulation of previous analyses based on morphological and molecular characters.
- Analysing the results from above in the context of trait evolution of characters of the highly complex euglenid pellicle.
- Creating a database of first appearances in the fossil record of the main eukaryote groups.
- Incorporating the above database into molecular clock analyses of the eukaryotes in order to shed light on their primary adaptive radiation and the integral position of the euglenids.
- Collaborating with the project team to write and publish the results of the above.

You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. 

Reward packageTerms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 7 staff.
Salary for this grade: £31,302 - £32,236 per annum.
This post is fixed-term for 12 months with a start date between 1/10/2019 - 1/11/2019.

Application
For more information on our application and recruitment processes visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/info

Informal enquiriesFor informal enquiries about this job and the recruiting department, contact: Professor Charles Wellman on c.wellman@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 3689. For administration queries and details on the application process, contact the lead recruiter: Maddie Couzner on m.couzner@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 4773. For all online application system queries and support, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/applying