Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Hours per week 37 Project Title Novel computational methods for microbiome analysis Months Duration 36

We are seeking to recruit an individual with a high-level of quantitative skills to develop novel computational and mathematical methods to study the soil microbiome. Soil is one of the most diverse microbial communities known. As a result it is still relatively understudied and the processes that generate that diversity are poorly understood. At the Earlham Institute we are pioneering methods that use long read metagenomics to fully resolve the genomic diversity of the soil microbiome.

These genomes will then form a basis for integration of other forms of ‘omics data, principally metatranscriptomics, and the development of mechanistic mathematical models of the soil microbiome. We are, as part of a larger program of research, generating data both from natural soils and synthetic communities (Syn Coms) that these methods will be applied to. The principle role of the position will be to develop these computational methods.

These will include bioinformatics pipelines to integrate long and short read metagenomes with metatranscriptomes. But also potentially novel statistical approaches to resolve strain diversity. These would be based around existing methods utilising probabilistic graphical models to integrate multiple sources of data. We envisage that these data could then be used in mechanistic community models of the soil and rhizosphere microbiomes.

The position is for three years initially but may be extended based on funding and performance. It will be based within Dr Quince’s group at the Earlham Institute (). In the group we focus on high-resolution tools for microbiome analysis combining both computational and molecular techniques. This position is available at an SC6 level but candidates with sufficient experience in metagenomics bioinformatics, a demonstrated ability to organise and lead analysis of complex data sets, and potentially supervise graduate students, could be appointed at a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist Level SC5.

Dr Quince (PI) and Dr Christopher Turkington co-workers.

Develop statistical methods for the analysis of metagenomes. Develop bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of microbiome data. Analyse large-scale soil microbiome data sets. Explore methods for mathematical modelling of soil microbiomes. Collaborate with colleagues within and outside the Institute to apply these methods to meta genome studies. Disseminate research findings through attendance at international conferences. Regularly publish results as manuscripts in leading scientific journals or through other relevant media.

Organise generation of new data sets. Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate could participate in supervision of students, leading projects and collaborations and leading on the preparation of data/information for grant proposals [essential for SC5 role]. As agreed with line manager, any other duties relevant to and commensurate with the nature of the role.

Requirement Importance First degree in any area of science Essential PhD in bioinformatics or statistics or related subject area with strong element of statistical modelling Essential

Requirement Importance Knowledge of software programming in at least one language e.g. R, Python, C/C++ Essential. Good understanding of statistics Essential. Command line bioinformatics Essential. Bioinformatics of metagenomics or genomics Desirable. Bayesian statistics and probabilistic modelling Desirable. Understanding of soil metabolism…