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The University of Edinburgh
Postdoctoral Research Associate in disease transmission genetics and modelling
City of Edinburgh On-site 2-5 yrs exp£41k – £49k / year
Quantitative GeneticsGenomicsGeneralized Linear Mixed ModelsBayesian StatisticsMarkov Chain Monte Carlo
Requirements
Applicants must hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in a discipline with a substantial quantitative component. Relevant experience includes quantitative genetics and genomics, mixed models, Bayesian statistics and MCMC, mathematical modelling, and high-performance computing; strong communication and organizational skills are also expected.
Job Description
Job Description
UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 Per Annum.
CMVM / The Roslin Institute / Quantitative Biology.
Full Time - 35 Hours Per Week, or part-time 80%.
Fixed term: 24 months full time, or potentially longer if part-time until contract end of 31.5.2029
The Opportunity
We would like to recruit a driven and enthusiastic colleague to join the group as Postdoctoral Research Fellow, funded by a prestigious research grant on the genetic and immune determinants and evolutionary constraints underlying individual variation in host infectiousness. In this project we harness data from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system of infection, immunity, and behaviour to disentangle the genetic and immune determinants, and evolutionary constraints underlying pathogen transmission. The project requires a set of advanced analytical and computational modelling skills to apply genetic-epidemiological inference and prediction models to the project data. By applying these skills you will generate important new scientific insights on the diverse drivers of disease transmission for more effective disease control.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
We welcome applications from all over the world that meet the following qualifications:
The successful candidate will be based at the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK under the primary supervision of Prof. Andrea Doeschl-Wilson https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/andrea-wilson ). There will also be extensive interaction with Dr. Pedro Vale’s group (https://biology.ed.ac.uk/pedrovale) based in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and Dr. Chris Pooley at Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland ( https://www.bioss.ac.uk/people/cpooley ). We are open to considering flexible working patterns (on a contractual basis) but expect that the majority of the work will include regular on-campus working.
As a valued member of The Roslin Institute and the wider University of Edinburgh, you can expect:
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
How To Apply
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Andrea Doeschl-Wilson ( andrea.wilson@roslin.ed.ac.uk ).
Please Include The Following Documents In Your Application
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 13 November 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment from the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and provides national capability to achieve sustainable agriculture, control diseases and enhance health through pioneering animal bioscience.
The Institute is a key part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, a joint submission by the School and Scotland’s Rural College placed first in the United Kingdom for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences.
The Institute is home to over 400 staff, students and visitors, including around 65 Group Leaders and Tenure Track Fellows on a path to independence. It has a vibrant programme ( https://vet.ed.ac.uk/roslin/work-study/postgraduate ) (opens in a new browser tab) of postgraduate research and a thriving student community.
Research at the Institute is organised across eight divisions (Quantitative Biology, Genome Biology, Functional Genetics, Translational Bioscience, Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology, and Epidemiology) and two Institute Strategic Programmes funded by the BBSRC from 2023-28 (Genes & Traits for Healthy Animals and Prevention & Control of Infectious Diseases).
Over £380M has been invested in physical infrastructure at Easter Bush since 2008, including for research on key terrestrial and aquatic farmed animals. This includes the National Avian Research Facility, a £24M Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility, Aquaculture facilities for fish and shellfish, and an Innovation Centre that is now fully occupied with commercial tenants. The campus serves as a key innovation hub for the Agri-Tech, Aquaculture and Animal Bioscience (3A) sector and Roslin has extensive partnerships with businesses, including animal breeding and pharmaceutical businesses able to translate its discoveries at global scale.
The Institute has a positive and inclusive culture and holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its commitment to advance the careers of women in science.
Further details of the research conducted at the Institute can be found at The Roslin Institute website ( https://vet.ed.ac.uk/roslin ) (opens in a new browser tab).
UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 Per Annum.
CMVM / The Roslin Institute / Quantitative Biology.
Full Time - 35 Hours Per Week, or part-time 80%.
Fixed term: 24 months full time, or potentially longer if part-time until contract end of 31.5.2029
The Opportunity
We would like to recruit a driven and enthusiastic colleague to join the group as Postdoctoral Research Fellow, funded by a prestigious research grant on the genetic and immune determinants and evolutionary constraints underlying individual variation in host infectiousness. In this project we harness data from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system of infection, immunity, and behaviour to disentangle the genetic and immune determinants, and evolutionary constraints underlying pathogen transmission. The project requires a set of advanced analytical and computational modelling skills to apply genetic-epidemiological inference and prediction models to the project data. By applying these skills you will generate important new scientific insights on the diverse drivers of disease transmission for more effective disease control.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
We welcome applications from all over the world that meet the following qualifications:
- PhD, or near completion of a PhD (within 3 months), in a discipline with a substantial quantitative component (e.g. quantitative genetics, statistics, bioinformatics, theoretical biology or physics, applied mathematics).
- Proven research track record in quantitative genetics and genomics, generalised linear mixed models, Bayesian statistics/ MCMC and mathematical modelling of disease or other dynamic biological processes*.
- Experience in high performance computing, in particular writing efficient computational code for genetic and statistical data analyses and simulation studies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills evidenced through a track record of research outputs, including publications in peer reviewed scientific journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills and ability to work independently and in a team.
- Knowledge of Drosophila or other model species genetics is desirable.
- We do not expect a single candidate to fulfil all these criteria, and trained and support will be provided to acquire new skills.
The successful candidate will be based at the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK under the primary supervision of Prof. Andrea Doeschl-Wilson https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/andrea-wilson ). There will also be extensive interaction with Dr. Pedro Vale’s group (https://biology.ed.ac.uk/pedrovale) based in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and Dr. Chris Pooley at Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland ( https://www.bioss.ac.uk/people/cpooley ). We are open to considering flexible working patterns (on a contractual basis) but expect that the majority of the work will include regular on-campus working.
As a valued member of The Roslin Institute and the wider University of Edinburgh, you can expect:
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community of researchers.
- To contribute to world-class research with real world impact.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
How To Apply
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Andrea Doeschl-Wilson ( andrea.wilson@roslin.ed.ac.uk ).
Please Include The Following Documents In Your Application
- CV
- Cover letter
- Full contact details of 2 referees
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 13 November 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment from the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and provides national capability to achieve sustainable agriculture, control diseases and enhance health through pioneering animal bioscience.
The Institute is a key part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, a joint submission by the School and Scotland’s Rural College placed first in the United Kingdom for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences.
The Institute is home to over 400 staff, students and visitors, including around 65 Group Leaders and Tenure Track Fellows on a path to independence. It has a vibrant programme ( https://vet.ed.ac.uk/roslin/work-study/postgraduate ) (opens in a new browser tab) of postgraduate research and a thriving student community.
Research at the Institute is organised across eight divisions (Quantitative Biology, Genome Biology, Functional Genetics, Translational Bioscience, Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology, and Epidemiology) and two Institute Strategic Programmes funded by the BBSRC from 2023-28 (Genes & Traits for Healthy Animals and Prevention & Control of Infectious Diseases).
Over £380M has been invested in physical infrastructure at Easter Bush since 2008, including for research on key terrestrial and aquatic farmed animals. This includes the National Avian Research Facility, a £24M Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility, Aquaculture facilities for fish and shellfish, and an Innovation Centre that is now fully occupied with commercial tenants. The campus serves as a key innovation hub for the Agri-Tech, Aquaculture and Animal Bioscience (3A) sector and Roslin has extensive partnerships with businesses, including animal breeding and pharmaceutical businesses able to translate its discoveries at global scale.
The Institute has a positive and inclusive culture and holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its commitment to advance the careers of women in science.
Further details of the research conducted at the Institute can be found at The Roslin Institute website ( https://vet.ed.ac.uk/roslin ) (opens in a new browser tab).
Education
Postgraduate Degree
Skills
Quantitative GeneticsGenomicsGeneralized Linear Mixed ModelsBayesian StatisticsMarkov Chain Monte CarloMathematical ModellingDisease Transmission ModellingGenetic-Epidemiological InferenceHigh-Performance ComputingComputational CodingStatistical Data AnalysisSimulation StudiesResearch CommunicationTime ManagementTeamworkDrosophila Genetics