At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a cutting-edge bioinformatics project studying microbial evolution and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: University of Bath, known for its commitment to diversity and professional development.
- Benefits: Generous salary, professional development, flexible work-life balance, and various staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Qualifications: PhD in bioinformatics or computational biology with expertise in phylogenetics.
- Other info: Full-time role with excellent career growth opportunities and a family-friendly environment.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 46049 £ per year.
About the role
The role is for a postdoc in bioinformatics, who will work on studying the evolution of microbial mercury methylation across prokaryotes (on a BBSRC-funded project). The analyses will typically involve phylogenetics and computational biology. The postdoc will also assist with supervision of undergraduate and MSc student research projects to a degree appropriate to their position.
Key aspects include:
- Carrying out phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses of prokaryotes.
- Performing ancestral gene content reconstruction and reconstructing the evolutionary history of metabolic pathways.
- Collaborating with experimentalists working on culturing mercury methylators.
As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
About you
This is a postdoctoral position, requiring a degree and PhD in a relevant subject (e.g., bioinformatics, computational biology). Expertise in phylogenetics and comparative genomic methods, including gene tree-species tree reconciliation. The ability to work as part of a team, and collaborate with a broad variety of people.
Further information
This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected start date of 01/07/2026 until 30/06/2027. For informal discussions about the role please contact XX.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment. We are very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you
We are continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work.
Closing Date: 13 Feb 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
Research Associate (SS13358) - Bath, BA2 7AY employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate (SS13358) - Bath, BA2 7AY
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Bath on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your phylogenetics and computational biology knowledge. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your collaborative spirit! Think of examples where you've worked with diverse teams or supervised students. We love candidates who can thrive in a team environment and bring people together.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our awesome team at the University of Bath.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate (SS13358) - Bath, BA2 7AY
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Research Associate role. Highlight your experience in bioinformatics, phylogenetics, and computational biology. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about microbial mercury methylation and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since collaboration is key in this role, make sure to mention any past experiences where you've worked effectively in a team. We love seeing how you can bring people together to achieve common goals!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our amazing benefits there.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Basics
Make sure you brush up on your bioinformatics knowledge, especially phylogenetics and comparative genomic methods. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in your research and how they relate to the role.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This position involves working with a variety of people, so be prepared to share examples of past collaborations. Highlight how you’ve successfully worked in teams and supported others, especially in a research context.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to ancestral gene content reconstruction and metabolic pathways. Practise explaining complex concepts clearly and concisely, as if you were teaching an undergraduate student.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity
The University of Bath values diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how your background and experiences contribute to a diverse work environment and how you can support under-represented groups in academia.