Main Purpose of the Job

The position offered is a PhD studentship at the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

This project will aim to develop comprehensive cell atlases of regeneration in three different species, zebrafish, mouse and axolotl. The doctoral candidate will integrate single cell transcriptomic as well as epigenetic data to assemble the atlases within each species and to compare cell types and regulatory processes across species. The project will use data generated by our partners within the DANIO-ReCODE doctoral network, as well as publicly available datasets. It will be fully computational and will aim to further advance our methods in cross-species comparisons of transcriptomics data sets, as well as develop new methods for identifying conserved or divergent key cell types and regulatory programmes across species.

Key Relationships

The PhD student appointed will work closely with other members of the Papatheodorou Group at Earlham Institute and at the same time will be a member of the DANIO-ReCODE consortium (https://danio-recode.eu), working closely with collaborators across Europe.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Plan with the line manager and  carry out experiments to meet the objectives of the project

Prepare results, reports

Disseminate research findings though presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings

Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research

Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements

Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Bachelor degree in Bioinformatics or Computer Science

Essential

MSc in Bioinformatics, Computing, Data Science, Machine Learning

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Experience working with next generation sequencing data

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience working with complex datasets

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

A willingness to travel to other research organisations for the secondments

Essential

High level analytical capability and an inquisitive mind.

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

PhD Studentship.

We are seeking an applicant for a fully funded HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN PhD studentship/position in the group of Prof Irene Papatheodorou at the Earlham Institute. Prof Papatheodorou's research focuses on the development of computational methods for integrative analyses of single cell omics data.

The role:

In this project the applicant will be employed as well as registered for PhD and will work in a team formed by an international, interdisciplinary consortium to develop comprehensive cell atlases of regeneration in three different species, zebrafish, mouse and axolotl. The doctoral candidate will integrate single cell transcriptomic as well as epigenetic data to assemble the atlases within each species and to compare cell types and regulatory processes across species.

The ideal candidate:

At the time of recruitment by the host organisation, the successful candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the reference date.

The successful candidate should have a MSc in Bioinformatics, Computing, Data Science, Machine Learning. It is important to note that candidates must not hold a PhD degree at the time of recruitment. 

Additional information:

Salary on appointment is anticipated to be £54,888 (living allowance + mobility allowance). This salary is set by EU/UKRI and is subject to deductions. Family allowance is applicable should the successful candidate be eligible.

This is a full-time post with an expected start date of June 1st or October 1st 2025. The contracted end date is 31st October 2028.

Applicants should fulfil the entry requirements for PhD registration at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and should have, or expect to obtain, a good Undergraduate Honours Degree (minimum of UK equivalent 2:1 undergraduate degree or a UK equivalent 2:2 undergraduate degree with an equivalent UK Masters graded at 60% or over). Please see the academic eligibility criteria here:

https://www.uea.ac.uk/research/research-with-us/postgraduate-research/latest-phds-and-research-studentships/how-to-apply

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team quoting 1004813 if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 16 January 2025.