Postdoctoral Researcher in Solanaceae Phylogenomics

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About The Role

We are looking for a postdoctoral level scientist with skills in phylogenetic and morphological analysis to work as part of a team investigating the evolution of the megadiverse plant genus Solanum, a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The appointee will produce, collate and analyse DNA sequence and morphological data for clades of Solanum species, focusing on the diverse “spiny solanums”, in either Australia or the Americas. You will join an international team of Solanaceae scientists, whose work spans biodiversity and genomics. The group works collaboratively and globally, with joint fieldwork and papers. We expect the appointee to have had experience of working in the field collecting plants, in the laboratory with molecular sequences and in silico with phylogenomic data. The candidate will be expected to work independently with minimal day‑to‑day supervision, but collaboratively as part of the wider Solanaceae community.

About You

We are looking for a post‑doctoral researcher to work with a dynamic international team investigating phylogenomics and biogeography in the megadiverse plant genus Solanum (Solanaceae) in either Australia or the Americas. You will have a PhD degree in botany or the equivalent, experience in analysis of large phylogenomic datasets and of working in an herbarium with plant specimens, a good publication record, together with the ability to work independently and as a member of a dispersed team.

What We Offer

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 – 10%)
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
• Life insurance
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafés
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets.
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in‑house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi

Hybrid working

We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this than seeing first‑hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. The Museum supports flexible working; however, due to the nature of this role, the work pattern will be 100 % on site.

How To Apply

If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job. Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double‑check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently. We’re delighted that many of our vacancies attract a high level of interest. To ensure that every application receives the time and careful consideration it deserves, we closely monitor the number of applications we receive. In some cases, where interest is particularly high, we may close a vacancy to new applications ahead of the advertised closing date. Taking this approach helps us manage the process efficiently while maintaining a fair and thorough shortlisting process for all candidates. We therefore encourage early applications where possible.

Closing date: 1 May 2026 on 23:59

Interviews expected: w/c 25 May 2026

Please note that this role qualifies for Museum sponsorship. Whilst we would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK. Please contact our Recruitment Team at hrteam@nhm.ac.uk if you have any further queries regarding this.