Postdoctoral Fellow/ Senior PDF - Microbial Genomics and Evolutionary Epidemiology

• locations
• Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• job requisition id
• JR103447

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

We are hiring three Postdoctoral Fellows/Senior Postdoctoral Fellows on three-year contracts across experience levels to build a new interdisciplinary team at the forefront of microbial genomics and evolutionary epidemiology. Each will lead innovative projects across different aspects of pathogen genomics, integrating large-scale metagenomic, surveillance, immunological and experimental datasets with novel methodologies to improve our abilities to prevent and treat disease. You will join the Parasites and Microbes Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

We welcome applications from diverse technical and scientific backgrounds — from those interested in bacterial genome biology, to those focused on mathematical modelling or application of deep learning approaches. Applicants should be enthusiastic about data analysis, evolutionary biology, and genomic epidemiology. If you would like to be considered for more than one position, please submit a single application, and let us know which roles interest you in your cover letter.

Available Research Focus Areas:

1. Automating pathogen-agnostic genomic epidemiology analyses

This role will focus on integrating available sequence data with domain-specific knowledge and statistical methods to generate methods for automating inference across bacterial genomic epidemiology datasets. The most relevant publications are Lees et al,

Croucher, and

et al

D’Aeth.

et al

2. Analysing bacterial populations and interactions

This role will focus on using genomic, metagenomic and immunological data to understand the dynamics of multi-strain bacterial populations, with the using an improved understanding of pathogen-pathogen and host-pathogen interactions to inform improvements in vaccine design. The most relevant publications are Tonkin-Hill et al,

Colijnand

et al

Croucher.

et al

3. Modelling microbial population dynamics

This role will focus on mathematical modelling of genomic and metagenomic data to analyse dynamic systems, including evolving genomes, bacterial communities, and health systems. This position will suit an individual with a strong quantitative or computational background. The most relevant publications are Croucher et al,

Coranderand

et al

Harrow.

at el

About You:

We are looking for enthusiastic researchers with a strong biological, computational or quantitative backgrounds, and experience in one or more of the following:

Essential Technical Skills (See role profiles below for specific required skills)

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Biology, Microbiology, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, ML/AI, Genomics or Statistics, or a related field; or to be on track to be awarded your Ph.D. within 6 months of starting the role

• Experience of writing code in R and/or Python, including experience of developing open source for research projects

• Experience of mutagenesis and genetic screens in bacteria

• Experience of analysing bacterial genomics data

• Background in epidemiology, microbiology or evolutionary biology

Essential Competencies and Behaviours:

• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, ability and knowledge

• Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment

• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills

• Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work independently

• Detailed orientated, strong organisational and problem-solving skills

• Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated

Additional Skills for Senior Postdoctoral Fellow:

• Substantial previous post-doctoral experience, and published evidence of research and/or being awarded funding in a relevant field

• Sufficient experience of the research field to immediately begin driving the programme

• Proven ability to work independently, formulate research questions, and deliver research projects

• Demonstrable good time management and project management skills

About Us:

This position is based in the Bacterial Genomics and Evolution team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, a world-leading research group investigating the use of computational and experimental genomic approaches to explore questions of basic science relating to the evolution and spread of bacterial pathogens in both humans and animals.

You will join an interdisciplinary team of microbiologists, bioinformaticians and modellers. Our mission is to use a genomics-driven innovation to transform our understanding of bacterial evolution to better control, prevent and treat infectious diseases. We will collaborate across programmes, and are keen to recruit individuals with a broad interest in genome biology.

What We Offer:

• Access to

  unique in-house datasetsandworld-class computational infrastructure

• Opportunities to co-lead high-impact publications and present at top ML and genomics conferences

• Collaborative and inclusive environment with strong mentorship culture

• Access to internal training, workshops, and career development resources through our

  Postdoctoral Fellow Programme

Other Information:

Application Process

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your research experience, interest in the focus area(s), and future aspirations, and how you meet the criteria set out above. Applications without a cover letter addressing the above will not be considered.

Salary per annum (dependent upon skills and experience)

• Senior Postdoctoral Fellow:£43,650–£49,156

  • Senior Role Profile_Data Science – [

    click here]

  • Senior Role Profile_Genome Biology – [

    click here]

  • Senior Role Profile_Mathematical Modelling – [

    click here]

• Postdoctoral Fellow:£38,000–£49,156

  • PDF Role Profile_Data Science – [

    click here]

  • PDF Role Profile_Genome Biology – [

    click here]

  • PDF Role Profile_Mathematical Modelling – [

    click here]

Contract Type

3 years fixed term (Core funding)

📅 Recruitment Process

• Shortlisting: w/c 5th January

• Interviews: w/c 12th January or w/c 19th January

⏰Closing date: 4th January 2026

For more information on role-specific details, please contact: TA-team@sanger.ac.uk

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

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About Us

Life at the Sanger Institute is unique. We are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in genomic research. Our people are shaping the future by delivering life-changing science with the reach, scale, and creativity to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world.

Benefits

We offer an attractive benefits package at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. We appreciate the importance of achieving work-life balance and support this with a number of family and carer-friendly policies. Plus a flexible working policy for those who may wish to amend their working pattern or arrangement.

Visa Sponsorship

Each year, the Wellcome Sanger Institute welcomes researchers from around the world to the Genome Campus to collaborate and drive cutting-edge science. Whether you're joining as faculty, a postdoc, or a visitor, our dedicated International Team offers expert guidance and support throughout your journey, promoting the Institute’s global and collaborative ethos.