PostDoc Wanted!
I am seeking a postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) to join the multidisciplinary project “Building Shells: Towards a Mechanistic Understanding of Biomineralisation” funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Applications:
The deadline for applications is midnight (UTC) on 13th February 2025. See below for more details.
Project Scope
The successful candidate will work closely with the PI and a PhD student to construct a quantitative computational model of the biological, chemical and physical mechanisms of biomineralisation.
The model will be informed by physiological and geochemical measurements from samples grown under controlled conditions designed to reveal the underlying mechanisms of biomineralisation in marine calcifying organisms.
The ultimate goal of the model is to create a general framework for predicting the composition and formation rates of biominerals as a function of taxonomy and environmental conditions.
How does this fit into the ‘Building Shells’ project?
The PDRA would join a cross-disciplinary project team consisting of four PDRAs, three PhD students and numerous (international) collaborators. The project aims to bring together physiological, geochemical and computational approaches to advance our understanding of biomineralisation mechanisms over the next four years.
The task of this PDRA is to take the physiological and geochemical measurements made by the other project members and use them to construct a quantitative model of biomineralisation processes. They will be responsible for developing and delivering the key outcome of the project.
What sort of person am I looking for?
I’m looking for someone who has (or is about to obtain) a PhD in the broad area of Computational Modelling applied to geochemical or biological systems.
The project will involve integrating complex biological (transcriptome, proteome, physiology) and geochemical (trace element and isotopic ratios) data to derive a quantitative understanding of biomineralisation mechanisms. The design of the model must also be informed by the physical and chemical processes that underpin biomineralisation, and be constructed in context of extensive literature in this field.
Relevant Reading
Some interesting models of biomineralisation processes:
- Rayleigh fractionation in foraminifera.
- Stable isotopes in calcite. (and this)
- Stable isotopes in coral aragonite.
- Strontium in foraminifera.
- Boron transport in cold-water corals.
- Stable isotopes in coccolithophores.
How do I find out more?
Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about the project, or discuss your suitability for it.
If you’d like to find out more about what it’s like to work in the Department, and specifically with me, feel free to contact any of the current lab members. In particular, Alice Ball, Duygu Sevilgen, Nishant Chauhan and Pratyusha Madhnure are all currently working on the physiological and geochemical aspects of the project, and would be happy to discuss their experiences.
You can also find out more about being a PDRA in the University and Department in the Further Particulars document here.
Logistical Details
The post is funded for three years, and the candidate must be able to start before 1st October 2025 to fit within funding constraints.
The deadline for applications is midnight (UTC) on 13th February 2025. We anticipate that interviews will be held in March 2025.
Application link available soon.
