Overview
This post will primarily support the work of the NERC Environmental Omics Facility (NEOF), based in the Genomics Laboratory of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology cluster in the School of Biosciences, but also a number of research projects based in the Laboratory. The Genomics Laboratory is led by Professor Terry Burke and the NEOF Visitor Facility is led by Professor Jon Slate.
NEOF in Sheffield supports environmental omics research across the UK, with responsibility for supporting the laboratory work of users who access the NEOF Visitor Facility. Visiting researchers receive training while undertaking their own analyses. NEOF supports a range of molecular techniques to tackle research questions in environmental, ecological and evolutionary biology, but has expertise in genome sequencing, marker analysis, population genomics, evolutionary genetics, pedigree analysis, metabarcoding and the detection and interpretation of environmental DNA and RNA. It has outstanding facilities and equipment to support this work, including access to a full range of sequencing, genotyping and DNA preparation technologies, robotics, clean rooms and high-performance computing.
The appointee will deliver existing on-line and in-person regular training courses in a range of bioinformatics, develop new training modules, assist NEOF users with the analysis of their datasets, and contribute to research projects including, for example, the detection of rare or endangered species in environmental samples, using low-coverage genome sequencing methods in studies of avian life history, assembling de-novo genomes, and investigating the role of inversions in natural populations of non-model species.
Applicants should have a PhD (or be close to completion / have equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics, including genetic analyses (for example, diet analysis, studies of biodiversity, eDNA, population structure, mating systems, linkage mapping, genome assembly, comparative genomics or phylogenetics) and possess excellent analytical skills. Programming skills (e.g., Linux, R, PYTHON or PERL) and experience of high-performance computing clusters are also essential.
Main duties and responsibilities
Liaise with the Director of the NEOF Visitor Facility in Sheffield and Facility staff in Sheffield and Liverpool over work schedules and progress
Support NEOF staff and users with data analysis and bioinformatics
Deliver and develop training in the analysis of genomic data
Provide feedback on enquiries and applications to use the Facility, including cost estimates
Provide feedback on Facility-supported work and manuscripts
Produce optimised easy-to-follow protocols and pipelines or computer scripts to enable staff and users with appropriate statistical and molecular population genetic tools
Establish and maintain appropriate databases for managing and curating NEOF and Genomics Facility data, samples, and projects
Ensure that the tools used by the Facility remain at the cutting edge and keep up to date with latest techniques and analyses
Conduct agreed research and development activities that lead to published outputs
Continuously monitor and check progress of Facility projects; the unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments
Assist with the administration of NEOF and lab activities in the University’s High-Performance Computing facility
Represent NEOF at occasional external activities such as workshops and conferences
Other tasks to ensure the efficient functioning, success, and development of the NEOF Visitor Facility and the host laboratory, as required
As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Hold a PhD (or be close to completion / have equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in molecular ecology or evolutionary genetics, including genetic analyses (for example, diet analysis, studies of biodiversity, eDNA, population structure, mating systems, linkage mapping, genome assembly, comparative genomics or phylogenetics)
Experience in generating metabarcoding, population genetics or molecular ecological data and in their analysis, including designing experiments and NGS datasets
Application and Interview
Programming skills (e.g., Linux, R, PYTHON or PERL) and experience of high-performance computing clusters
Application and Interview
Experience of data validation techniques, including those used in metabarcoding and ability to critically assess data quality
Application and Interview
Peer-reviewed publications in international journals
Experience of supervising and training other researchers, such as PhD students and technicians
Ability to organise, manage and analyse large datasets
Application and Interview
Good time management and ability to work to deadlines
Proven ability to efficiently manage and deliver on multiple parallel projects
Effective written and verbal communication skills, scientific paper writing skills and experience of delivering presentations
Application and Interview
Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to enquiries and requests for advice
Ability to write user-friendly protocols
Application and Interview
Experience of successful collaboration within a team, and ability to take instruction and work to deadlines
Application and Interview
Further Information
£38,784 – £39,906 per annum
Fixed-term until 31 March 2027
Professor of Evolutionary Genetics
If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
School of Biosciences
NEOF
Genomics Laboratory Facility
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview including a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact
[email protected].
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
Generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
access to menopause support in the workplace
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
and more
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
