Research Fellow

About us

Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Telford and Yang laboratories.

The project will be jointly supervised by Prof Max Telford and Prof Ziheng Yang. Dr Paschalia Kapli will also be involved in an advisory and collaborative role.

About the role

The post holder will work across the groups of Professor Max Telford and Ziheng Yang FRS to conduct research in the area of animal phylogenetics. They will become a member of a research team that takes an integrative approach to animal evolutionary biology by combining phylogenetics and genomic analysis.

The successful candidate will build on work published in 2021 that demonstrates the surprising difficulty in resolving the relationships between the main groups of the Bilateria - chordates, ambulacrarians and protostomes – representing the great majority of animals. They will be expected to collect and curate genome-scale datasets, conduct computer simulations, develop new classes of phylogenetic characters from genomic data, test hypotheses and write up results for publication in international peer-reviewed journals. For a sample of our recent work in this area, please see Kapli et al. (2021) Sci Adv 7(12); Kapli et al (2021) Curr. Biol. 31:59-64; Kapli + Telford (2020) 5(50).

The post is funded by the Leverhulme Trust and is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 31/03/2026 in the first instance. The post is available immediately.

Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: 24 May 2023

Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £34,502 - £36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 80% on site.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Prof Max Telford at m.telford@ucl.ac.uk

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk

About you

You must have a PhD (or expect to receive one shortly) in molecular phylogenetics, evolutionary biology or molecular evolution. You will assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by the Leverhulme Trust. You will have good computational skills with a lot of experience in scripting and ideally with relevant command line software for phylogenetics, genomics etc. Interest/experience in metazoan phylogenetics, evolutionary biology and related fields will be an advantage. A proven track record of effective research will be required. In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will communicate results as scientific papers and in scientific presentations at local, national, and international conferences.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
On-Site nursery
On-site gym
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/