Postdoctoral Research Associate
Applications for this vacancy closed on 30 May 2025 at 12:00PM
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Ghafari Research
Group in the Department of Biology, University of Oxford. The group focuses on
studying the mode and tempo of pathogen molecular evolution, particularly in
viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as those with
significant implications for plant and animal health.
This post is part of a Wellcome Trust-funded project to develop a systematic
framework for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of pathogens. The role
involves using viral sequence data and models of sequence evolution to
investigate both methodological and biological factors—such as the choice of
substitution models, site saturation, and the role of selection, mutation, and
recombination—that shape evolutionary rate estimates. A key goal is to
understand how these factors influence the accuracy of outbreak origin dating,
patterns of virus-host associations, and the evolutionary signals underlying
the emergence of novel pathogen variants. Structural analyses of viral
proteins using AI-based prediction tools will also be integrated to support
evolutionary inference.
This work lies at the intersection of evolutionary biology, bioinformatics,
and data science, with applications to public and veterinary health,
therapeutic development, and pandemic preparedness. You will contribute to
method development, data analysis, and collaborative projects, and will have
opportunities to supervise and mentor junior researchers.
Where Covid-19 has resulted in substantial disruption to your work or research
outputs, please explain this by providing an additional paragraph in your
supporting statement.
The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All
applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.
This post is full time and available immediately.
The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 30th May, interviews
are likely to be scheduled for early to mid June. Applications for this
vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be
required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online
application.
Group in the Department of Biology, University of Oxford. The group focuses on
studying the mode and tempo of pathogen molecular evolution, particularly in
viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as those with
significant implications for plant and animal health.
This post is part of a Wellcome Trust-funded project to develop a systematic
framework for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of pathogens. The role
involves using viral sequence data and models of sequence evolution to
investigate both methodological and biological factors—such as the choice of
substitution models, site saturation, and the role of selection, mutation, and
recombination—that shape evolutionary rate estimates. A key goal is to
understand how these factors influence the accuracy of outbreak origin dating,
patterns of virus-host associations, and the evolutionary signals underlying
the emergence of novel pathogen variants. Structural analyses of viral
proteins using AI-based prediction tools will also be integrated to support
evolutionary inference.
This work lies at the intersection of evolutionary biology, bioinformatics,
and data science, with applications to public and veterinary health,
therapeutic development, and pandemic preparedness. You will contribute to
method development, data analysis, and collaborative projects, and will have
opportunities to supervise and mentor junior researchers.
Where Covid-19 has resulted in substantial disruption to your work or research
outputs, please explain this by providing an additional paragraph in your
supporting statement.
The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All
applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.
This post is full time and available immediately.
The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 30th May, interviews
are likely to be scheduled for early to mid June. Applications for this
vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be
required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online
application.
| dc:spatial |
Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, OX1 3SY and The Life and Mind Building, Oxford OX1 3PS
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| vacancy:applicationClosingDate |
2025-05-30 12:00:00+01:00
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| vacancy:applicationOpeningDate |
2025-05-09 09:00:00+01:00
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| vacancy:furtherParticulars | |
| vacancy:internalApplicationsOnly |
False
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| vacancy:salary | |
| type | |
| comment |
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Ghafari Research Group in the Department of Biology, University of Oxford. The group focuses on studying the mode and tempo of pathogen molecular evolution, particularly in viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as those with significant implications for plant and animal health. This post is part of a Wellcome Trust-funded project to develop a systematic framework for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of pathogens. The role involves using viral sequence data and models of sequence evolution to investigate both methodological and biological factors—such as the choice of substitution ... We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Ghafari Research
Group in the Department of Biology, University of Oxford. The group focuses on studying the mode and tempo of pathogen molecular evolution, particularly in viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as those with significant implications for plant and animal health. This post is part of a Wellcome Trust-funded project to develop a systematic framework for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of pathogens. The role involves using viral sequence data and models of sequence evolution to investigate both methodological and biological factors—such as the choice of substitution models, ... |
| label |
Postdoctoral Research Associate
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| notation |
179640
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