The University of Manchester is inviting applications for a Research Technician to work on a project investigating the evolution of cursoriality in mammals. The position will ideally start on June 1st 2021 and will last for 11 months.
This post is funded through the PI’s Royal Society University Research Fellowship and the technician will be working with Dr Katrina Jones in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, at the University of Manchester (UK). A key aim for the project is to understand the function of the back in running mammals and quantify the impacts of natural and artificial selection on its evolution.
You will work closely with the PI to collect, process, organize, and analyse data associated with the project. In the first instance, the technician will segment and collect data from CT scans of mice artificially selected for running, as part of a collaboration with Prof. Ted Garland (University of California Riverside) involving an experimental evolution study (https://sites.google.com/ucr.edu/hrmice/home).
Tasks may include segmenting CT scan data, 3D landmarking vertebrae, organising and processing data for analysis, collating existing data sources from the literature, collecting measurements from museum specimens, and data analysis as appropriate. Candidates will hold an undergraduate/Master’s degree or equivalent in palaeontology, evolutionary biology, anatomy, zoology or a related discipline, have practical experience of research in organismal evolutionary biology and/or paleobiology, and working with quantitative datasets. It is desirable that the candidate demonstrates familiarity with morphological techniques such as segmenting CT scan data, geometric morphometrics and/or data analysis in R. They should have excellent written and spoken English skills.
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Blended working arrangements may be considered
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Lisa Jameson
Email: lisa.jameson@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: hrservices@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
