Research Fellow in Bioinformatics

Role Description

We welcome applications from enthusiastic bioinformaticians or data scientists to join our flag-ship project ‘Developing a resilient and regenerative tea production system’.

About the Role

We are looking for a full-time postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on a high-profile project funded under the BBSRC’s Prosperity Partnership programme, a collaboration between Cranfield University, LIPTON Teas and Infusions, Browns East Africa Plantations and the UK Tea and Infusion Association. The project seeks to improve the sustainability of tea production through elucidating the mechanisms that enhance soil function and soil health in plantations, and by advancing molecular breeding approaches in a long-standing tea breeding programme.

The role will be to lead analysis of soil microbiome data, and to carry out plant genetic analysis (genomic selection and identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes), working alongside two other Research Fellows specialising in agronomy and remote sensing. The project team also includes eight academic staff, three PhD students, and expert industry Research & Development teams based in Kenya and The Netherlands. The role involves delivering some training in analysis methods to other members of the wider project team.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level and have a track record in processing and interpreting Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and genomic data. Experience with shell scripting (Bash), and at least one high-level programming language (Python or R) is essential. A sound knowledge of soil microbiology and/or plant genomics, and an interest in sustainable agriculture, would be advantageous.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                   

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Andrew Thompson, Professor of Molecular Plant Sciences & Head of Soils, Agrifood and Biosciences, on (E): a.j.thompson@cranfield.ac.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5284.

Closing date for receipt of applications:   10 May 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.