Research Fellow in Evolution and Development

Faculty of Life Sciences

Job Description

Research Fellow in Evolution and Development

Department: Research Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment

Reports to

Dr Sean Stankowski – Senior Research Fellow.

Context

The Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) combines the strengths of UCL’s basic biological and preclinical sciences and is associated with 11 Nobel Laureates.

the most enduring questions about life on earth, and also to solve the urgent problems faced by all living things. Our research spans an incredible breadth of scientific areas, from studies of the behaviour of single molecules, to developing cells, neuronal circuits, and up to entire ecosystems full of living things. We are supported by platform technologies and facilities ranging from advanced electron microscopy to a research centre on a National Trust nature reserve.

Our students are closely integrated into our community through research-embedded teaching, including our highly rated, and world-leading undergraduate programmes, a UK-leading MPharm degree, as well as a wide range of exciting Master's programmes.

The Division of Biosciences at UCL is one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences. We have an outstanding international reputation and a community of over 500 staff and more than 300 PhD students engaged in cutting edge research and collaboration.

Further information can be found on our website

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Main purpose of the job

The Research Fellow will play a lead role in an ambitious project to reconstruct the evolutionary pathway between different reproductive modes in .

(https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi2982

Grade: 7

Location: London, Bloomsbury Campus / hybrid working Our work focuses on trying to answer some of https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences Littorina

). Specifically, they will lead a strand of the project focused on understanding the molecular and developmental basis underlying a recent transition from egg-laying to live-bearing int this system. They will take responsibility for designing and implementing the experimental strategy using various approaches, potentially including bulk and

single cell RNAseq, in situ hybridisation, chromatin accessibility assays, and proteomics. The project will be supported by a research technician.

The researcher will work as part of a team and in collaboration with project partners from UCL (Paola Oliveri), the Sanger Institute (Dr. Joana Meier), the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Dr.

Nick Barton), The University of Gothenburg (Dr. Kerstin Johannesson and Dr. Erical Leder) and the University of Göttingen (Dr. Daniel Jackson).

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop, plan and undertake scientific research under supervision within a specific research project and work as a member of a research team.
• Design, develop, refine genomic datasets order to obtain reliable and publishable data.
• Carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations using methodologies and other techniques appropriate to area of research.
• Keep records of all work in appropriate storages. This includes raw data, and all data files used to generate publishable results.
• Read academic papers, journals and books to keep abreast of developments in our own area and related disciplines.
• Present regular progress reports on the research to members of the research group and to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Prepare, in consultation with supervisor, material for publication in national and international journals and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for review purposes.
• Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that project/s are completed on time and within budget. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.
• The post holder will comply with appropriate Home Office regulations including taking courses and comply with annual reports and licences.
• Be responsible for one or more grade 6B Research Assistants and/or technicians by allocating and supervising their work.
• Carry out occasional undergraduate and postgraduate supervision, demonstrating or teaching duties within the post holder’s area of expertise.
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress and ensure research resources are used in the most effective manner, ▪ Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students and build contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• To contribute to UCL’s public engagement programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc.

General

• Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.
• Takes responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and social sustainability values, actively supporting UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and objectives within the remit of their role.
• Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.
• This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

• UCL offers hybrid working where appropriate and the successful applicant may normally work remotely for up to 50% of the week if they wish.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD in relevant subject area; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant level Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis (including corrections) Proven knowledge of techniques and methodologies commonly used in evodevo/functional genomic studies Evidence of completion of projects through first author research publications in peer reviewed journals or preprints Strong theoretical understanding of molecular and developmental biology, with the ability to interrogate gene function in a developmental context relevant to phenotypic variation Evidence for strong leadership skills and the ability to work independently Knowledge of the molecular and developmental basis of differences in reproductive mode or other life history traits Experience or a willingness to work on a non-model organism where new techniques and protocols will need to be established

Skills and abilities

Demonstrated wet lab experience, especially in applying approaches used to profile gene expression, regulation, and protein abundance Experience developing and using bioinformatic pipelines to analyse data obtained from functional genomic assays Experience maintaining and working with live animals Excellent oral and written communication skills, and demonstrable ability to meet project, manuscript, and publication deadlines Demonstrated ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences

Willingness to troubleshoot

Evidence of excellent organisational skills The ability and willingness to supervise students and technical staff

UCL Ways of Working

Making best practice an absolute priority.

Being supportive, respectful and kind to others around you.

Desirable Criteria

Interest in the biology of organisms and the willingness to participate in fieldwork and lab studies or reproductive traits and behaviour Experience studying organisms with different modes of reproduction and reproductive strategies Experience working with molluscs Demonstrated creativity in addressing old research problems in new ways