What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Molecular Ecology position at University of Bristol - School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience?
The role
We are excited to appoint a highly motivated molecular ecologist (Research Associate/Senior Research Associate) to join the European Research Council funded RECONNECT project, which will form part of University of Bristol's SAP Lab (Soil Animal Plant interactions Lab), led by Dr Hannah Griffiths. The aim of RECONNECT is to build the first complete picture of how contrasting reforestation approaches mediate the whole ecosystem movement of carbon from assimilation to stabilisation in the soil. The successful candidate will determine how forest creation effects belowground network connectivity by creating detailed, multi-species maps of mycorrhizal networks between trees in differently regenerating forests using genotyping-by-sequencing of root and fungal samples. Combined, the RECONNECT team will determine how reforestation strategies influence soil carbon stock accumulation and stability (PhD #1), the reassembly and structure of soil networks (this position) via differences in the quantity of carbon that enters soil foodwebs by the fast root-fungus pathway (postdoctoral position #2), and whether observed differences cascade to impact the fast and slow pathways by which carbon enters and is stabilised in the soil (PhD position #2). You will work closely with the PI, Dr Hannah Griffiths, and other RECONNECT team members as well as collaboratively with the wider SAP Lab group.
Skills
This full time 3-year position will involve a combination of field and lab work but crucially, we are seeking someone with the relevant technical expertise to generate, analyse and manage large datasets generated by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) of fungal and tree-root DNA to identify fungal individuals (genets) of any species (without the need for prior genomic information) on tree roots and link them to individual trees. With these key skills, you will address the following research goals (RG):
RG1: Test the widely held view that common mycorrhizal networks are ubiquitous in forests
RG2: Understand how forest creation approaches influence the size and network characteristics of common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) both within and between forest types
RG3: Assess the temporal dynamics of CMNs to uncover the interannual stability of mycelial connections between trees
This body of work will push the boundaries of understanding of the properties of common mycorrhizal networks and drivers of their reassembly with forest creation and as such, will fill major gaps in our fundamental understanding of the functioning of forest ecosystems.
What will you be doing?
Working withing a collaborative team and supported by Project Partners Dr Hugo Harrison, University of Bristol (expertise: molecular ecology), Professor Kevin Watts, Forest Research/University of Stirling (expertise: forest restoration) and Professor David Johnson, Lancaster University (expertise: mycorrhizal networks), you will: 1) coordinate and carry out field work across forest plots in England; 2) coordinate lab-work to extract root and fungus material for sequencing; 3) carry out bioinformatic processing of resultant large datasets generated by RADseq; 4) carry out network analyses and generate multi-species maps of interconnected trees; and 5) lead in writing and dissemination of results in academic journals and present results at international conferences.
You should apply if
You must have a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. ecology, biology, molecular biology, population genetics), or be near completion (to be appointed at grade I); have demonstrated experience in bioinformatic processing of large molecular datasets; have demonstrated experience in partial or whole genome sequencing data to differentiate individuals within a population; to be appointed at grade J, you will have been further developing your technical bioinformatics and molecular skillsets in relevant research position post-PhD; be a collegiate person who is able to work effectively as part of a team; have a track-record of first author publications commensurate with career stage; some experience of field work is an advantage, but not essential.
Additional information
For informal enquiries please contact Hannah Griffiths, Senior Research Fellow and Proleptic Senior Lecturer; Hannah.griffiths@bristol.ac.uk
Contract type: Open-ended (fixed funding for 3 years)
Work pattern: Full-time
Grade: I or J
Salary: £39,906 - £44,746 (Grade I) / £43,482 - £50,253 (Grade J) depending on experience
School/Unit: Biological Sciences
This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 21st December 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing the 19th January 2026
Our strategy and mission
We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.
The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.
Available documents
We are excited to appoint a highly motivated molecular ecologist (Research Associate/Senior Research Associate) to join the European Research Council funded RECONNECT project, which will form part of University of Bristol's SAP Lab (Soil Animal Plant interactions Lab), led by Dr Hannah Griffiths. The aim of RECONNECT is to build the first complete picture of how contrasting reforestation approaches mediate the whole ecosystem movement of carbon from assimilation to stabilisation in the soil. The successful candidate will determine how forest creation effects belowground network connectivity by creating detailed, multi-species maps of mycorrhizal networks between trees in differently regenerating forests using genotyping-by-sequencing of root and fungal samples. Combined, the RECONNECT team will determine how reforestation strategies influence soil carbon stock accumulation and stability (PhD #1), the reassembly and structure of soil networks (this position) via differences in the quantity of carbon that enters soil foodwebs by the fast root-fungus pathway (postdoctoral position #2), and whether observed differences cascade to impact the fast and slow pathways by which carbon enters and is stabilised in the soil (PhD position #2). You will work closely with the PI, Dr Hannah Griffiths, and other RECONNECT team members as well as collaboratively with the wider SAP Lab group.
Skills
This full time 3-year position will involve a combination of field and lab work but crucially, we are seeking someone with the relevant technical expertise to generate, analyse and manage large datasets generated by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) of fungal and tree-root DNA to identify fungal individuals (genets) of any species (without the need for prior genomic information) on tree roots and link them to individual trees. With these key skills, you will address the following research goals (RG):
RG1: Test the widely held view that common mycorrhizal networks are ubiquitous in forests
RG2: Understand how forest creation approaches influence the size and network characteristics of common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) both within and between forest types
RG3: Assess the temporal dynamics of CMNs to uncover the interannual stability of mycelial connections between trees
This body of work will push the boundaries of understanding of the properties of common mycorrhizal networks and drivers of their reassembly with forest creation and as such, will fill major gaps in our fundamental understanding of the functioning of forest ecosystems.
What will you be doing?
Working withing a collaborative team and supported by Project Partners Dr Hugo Harrison, University of Bristol (expertise: molecular ecology), Professor Kevin Watts, Forest Research/University of Stirling (expertise: forest restoration) and Professor David Johnson, Lancaster University (expertise: mycorrhizal networks), you will: 1) coordinate and carry out field work across forest plots in England; 2) coordinate lab-work to extract root and fungus material for sequencing; 3) carry out bioinformatic processing of resultant large datasets generated by RADseq; 4) carry out network analyses and generate multi-species maps of interconnected trees; and 5) lead in writing and dissemination of results in academic journals and present results at international conferences.
You should apply if
You must have a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. ecology, biology, molecular biology, population genetics), or be near completion (to be appointed at grade I); have demonstrated experience in bioinformatic processing of large molecular datasets; have demonstrated experience in partial or whole genome sequencing data to differentiate individuals within a population; to be appointed at grade J, you will have been further developing your technical bioinformatics and molecular skillsets in relevant research position post-PhD; be a collegiate person who is able to work effectively as part of a team; have a track-record of first author publications commensurate with career stage; some experience of field work is an advantage, but not essential.
Additional information
For informal enquiries please contact Hannah Griffiths, Senior Research Fellow and Proleptic Senior Lecturer; Hannah.griffiths@bristol.ac.uk
Contract type: Open-ended (fixed funding for 3 years)
Work pattern: Full-time
Grade: I or J
Salary: £39,906 - £44,746 (Grade I) / £43,482 - £50,253 (Grade J) depending on experience
School/Unit: Biological Sciences
This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 21st December 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing the 19th January 2026
Our strategy and mission
We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.
The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.
Available documents
- ACAD108361 - Senior Research Associate - Job description .pdf
- Further Particulars_Faculty of Health & Life Sciences.pdf
Salary : $39,906 - $50,253
