Postdoctoral Programme in Evolutionary and Epidemiological Dynamics
Applications for our SEED Postdoctoral Fellowships are now open.
The Sanger Epidemiological and Evolutionary Dynamics (SEED) Postdoctoral Programme offers the chance to develop and implement innovative methods for analysis of large-scale genomic datasets to address fundamental problems concerning the evolution, transmission dynamics and control of major infectious diseases.
The Parasites and Microbes programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking highly motivated and independent postdoctoral fellowship candidates with a passion for tackling infectious diseases and promoting human health by combining cutting-edge computational approaches with large-scale microbial genomic datasets.
What is the SEED programme?
The SEED Postdoctoral Fellowships offer the chance to develop and implement innovative methods for the analysis of large-scale genomic datasets to: address fundamental problems concerning the evolution, transmission dynamics and control of major infectious diseases; answer fundamental questions concerning microbial evolution and human health or disease; and develop innovative methods for the analysis of large-scale genomic datasets.
What makes the SEED programme unique?
The opportunities available to SEED postdoctoral fellows, and the expectations placed upon them, are unlike most other postdoctoral programmes, whether at Sanger or elsewhere.
SEED postdoctoral fellows work under the co-supervision of an Associate Faculty member and a Sanger group leader. This supervisory structure is designed to create an environment in which SEED fellows can draw upon the complementary expertise available across both supervisors and organisations and develop the knowledge base needed to steer their project through to completion. As such, successful candidates will need to demonstrate highly developed organisational and communication skills and the ability to drive complex collaborative science.
SEED fellows will lead their project from conception through to delivery, having the intellectual independence and freedom to move between Sanger and the Associate Faculty member’s institution as needed in pursuit of project goals. As such, these positions represent an opportunity for successful candidates to maintain a high degree of control over the shape and direction of their work, although projects undertaken will need to be strategically aligned to the overall mission for Parasites and Microbes programme.
What does the Parasites and Microbes programme do?
A key goal of the programme is to understand how microorganisms evolve over time and uncover the factors that shape this trajectory. Whether for globally important pathogens, or host-associated and environmental microbiomes, researchers in the Parasites and Microbes programme combine cutting edge genomic and computational approaches with large scale sampling over extended time periods and across multiple locations to understand the evolutionary dynamics of these microorganisms and to use these insights to inform infectious disease control and health promotion efforts.
Parasites and Microbes has an Associate Faculty comprising world-leaders in mathematical and computational approaches to infectious disease epidemiology and public health. While based at other institutions, Associate Faculty work alongside Sanger investigators to develop a comprehensive vision for the integration of epidemiology, modelling and genomics.
Predefined projects
Below is a selection of projects that illustrate the research areas we envisage for the SEED Fellowships. However, we are keen to incorporate your own expertise and interests into these projects and so they provide a starting point only. If selected, we will work with you to develop a research project which you will present in the final stage of the SEED recruitment process. Projects will be co-supervised by at least one member of our Associate Faculty members and a Sanger Group Leader in the Sanger Parasites and Microbes Programme. Please apply via our job site
- Respiratory metagenomics
- Reconstructing the evolutionary history of pathogens during chronic infection
- Respiratory virus dynamics
Self-proposed projects
You are welcome to propose a project of your own. This would need to be co-supervised by at least one member of our Associate Faculty members and a Sanger Group Leader in the Sanger Parasites and Microbes Programme. Please submit a brief outline proposal (approximately 500-1000 words) to the Group Leader and Associate Faculty member who you would like to work with via pam-recruit@sanger.ac.uk. Your proposal will need to be approved before you submit the application. Once approved, please apply via our job site.
A detailed outline of these projects can be found in this document: SEED Fellowship projects outline or see the flip book below.
How to apply
Application process
Stage 1: Should you wish to propose a project of your own, please submit a brief outline proposal (approximately 500-1000 words) to the Group Leader and Associate Faculty member who you would like to work with via pam-recruit@sanger.ac.uk. Your proposal will need to be approved before you submit the application. Once approved, please apply via our job site.
Stage 2: In order to apply, you will need to submit: a cover letter specifying the project you are applying for, your Curriculum Vitae, and two recent letters of references. Please note: once you start your online application you will have to complete all the steps through to submission.
Stage 3: Co-development of a research project with a member(s) of the supervisory team. This is an opportunity for you to incorporate your own ideas and interests into the project plan.
Stage 4: The shortlisted candidates will present these extended project outlines at interview.
The interview process shall consist of an open talk (30 minutes) to the PaM programme and a closed interview with all Group Leaders and Associate Faculty, chaired by the Head of Programme.
Support is available at all stages of the recruitment process, you can contact us on pam-recruit@sanger.ac.uk for any queries.
Deadline:
Closing date: 24 April 2023
Applicants will be shortlisted and successful candidates will be asked to work with the supervisory team to further develop the project proposal. This is an opportunity for you to incorporate your own ideas and interests into the project plan. The shortlisted candidates will present these extended project outlines at the interview.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can fulfil their potential and thrive. We welcome and encourage applications from all parts of the community. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact the recruitment team.