Research Fellow – From correlations to explanations: towards a new European prehistory (COREX)

Job title:

Research Fellow – From correlations to explanations: towards a new European prehistory (COREX)

Company

University College London

Job description

About usBiosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.This is an exciting opportunity to join the Molecular and Cultural Evolution (MACE) Lab at UCL, headed by Professor Mark Thomas.We undertake research on a wide range of issues relating to human evolution, with a focus on model-based statistical inference from genetic (including ancient DNA), environmental and archaeological data to better understand our demographic, biological and cultural evolution.The successful candidate will also work closely with Prof Stephen Shennan of the UCL Institute of Archaeology, which is one of the leading academic departments of archaeology in the UK and globally. The Institute is the largest department in its field in the UK, with an international graduate research community, and the broadest range of coverage of any UK department. It offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of archaeology and related areas of museum studies and cultural heritage. With a total of 60+ research-active staff pursuing high-quality research across five continents, the Institute is at the international forefront in all aspects of archaeology and heritage studies. ( ).About the roleAs Research Fellow, you will become an active member of the research project ‘COREX: From correlations to explanations: towards a new European prehistory’. In particular, you will focus on Work Package 3 (Exploratory analyses and discriminative models), as well as Work Package 4 (Generative models and explanations). Work Package 3 will take advantage of the ‘Big Interdisciplinary Archaeological Database’ (BIAD) – created as part of Work Package 1 – to explore patterns of co-variation in genetic, archaeological and environmental data using a range of statistical methods. Work Package 4 will take a ‘bottom up’ approach through agent-based and related modelling approaches to better understand how large-scale processes such as mass migration emerge from small-scale / more local processes and interactions (e.g. identity signalling), and the extent to which we would expect patterns of genetic and cultural variation to be linked in space and through time.This role is on an open-ended contract starting from 01st November 2025 and funded until 30th April 2027 in the first instance.Please note that appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.Interview Date(s) are scheduled for May / June 2025.This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit for more information.If you have any queries about the role, please contact Professor Mark Thomas m.thomas@ucl.ac.uk. If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR Administrator.About you We will consider candidates with a PhD or similar in computational science or mathematics, and an interest in ancient DNA and archaeology, or candidates with a PhD or similar in a biological science, archaeology or geography, and relevant experience in computational modelling and / or model-based statistical inference. For more details on the person specification, please refer to the job description and person specification that can be accessed at the bottom of this page.What we offerAs well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)

• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme

• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)

• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

• Immigration loan

• Relocation scheme for certain posts

• On-Site nursery

• On-site gym

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

• Discounted medical insurance

Visit to find out more.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here:Available documents

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:04:17 GMT

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