07 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Durham University, England

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biochemistry with a particular emphasis on DNA biochemistry and next-generation sequencing. This project will seek to understand how chemical alterations to DNA, such as epigenetic modifications like methylation, impact its local mechanical and structural properties in a sequence-dependent manner. Subsequently, the project will seek to generate foundational knowledge regarding how broad biological processes that chemically alter DNA impact critical DNA:protein interactions by controlling the mechano-structural properties of DNA.

The role is funded by a BBSRC grant. The project will involve a range of inter-disciplinary techniques including wet-lab molecular biology, next-generation DNA sequencing, and computational analysis of genomic and sequencing data.

The role has a fixed length of three years, pending a satisfactory probationary period of one year. The role is expected to start in October 2024. The successful candidate will be working with Dr Aakash Basu (Department of Biosciences) at Durham University. 

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Machine Learning and AI with a particular emphasis on edge efficiency and explainable AI. The research project is led by the Project Lead/Principal Investigator Dr Yang Long and aims to develop innovative solutions for data analysis, optimisation algorithms, and data security against adversarial attacks.

The successful applicant will be expected to conduct high-quality research in machine learning and AI, focusing on developing and implementing efficient edge computing solutions, creating interpretable machine learning models to advance explainable AI, applying and enhancing optimization algorithms to improve model performance, and addressing data security challenges, including understanding and mitigating adversarial attacks. Additionally, they will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, lead and contribute to research publications, participate in conferences, assist in securing external research funding, and supervise and mentor junior researchers and students.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computer Science with a particular emphasis on structural and algorithmic graph theory. The purpose of the role is to contribute to the project “Algorithmic meta-classifications for graph containment”, working with Professor Matthew Johnson, Dr Barnaby Martin and Professor Daniel Paulusma from Durham University and Professor Vadim Lozin from the University of Warwick. 

The general aim of the project is to develop algorithmic meta-classifications, which state that any computationally hard graph problem satisfying some condition C can still be solved efficiently on a graph class if, and only if, the class has property P. 

The project is funded by The Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2024-182, Principal Investigator: Professor Daniel Paulusma).

The successful applicant will be a member of the ACiD group within the Department of Computer Science at Durham University.

A PDRA post in heterogeneous catalysis, encompassing catalyst preparation, characterization and kinetic testing, is available from 1^st October 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter, for a period of 18 months, to work in association with Dr Simon Beaumont. The post is to work on “CANMILK” an exciting EU Horizon Europe consortium project (funded through Innovate UK under the UK Horizon Europe guarantee scheme) exploring new ways to tackle agricultural methane emissions, specifically from dairy barns (https://canmilk.eu/). The postholder will be responsible for research on adsorbent and catalyst materials in a component of the project closely associated with the company partner Johnson Matthey. The key challenge is focussed on overcoming the difficulties associated with oxidation of dilute methane feedstreams through non-conventional catalysis. Other project partners include Durham University’s Engineering Department, VTT and Valio (Finland), University of Antwerp, University of Maastricht, and Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and the postholder will be excepted to actively engage in collaborative activities including those focussed towards dissemination / exploitation of project results.

This is a great opportunity to work as part of a friendly team on a cutting-edge project which has both a clear theoretical focus and an applied angle. The PDRA will have access to outstanding resources including equipment, dedicated technical support, a large developmental database and related resources, and travel funding for conferences and collaboration. You may have some support in collecting data but must be prepared to personally collect data.

The Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant position in Classical Reception on the Leverhulme-funded research project Aristotle Beyond the Academy: The Reception of Aristotle in Britain and Ireland 1660-1922.

The aim of this project is to ask how and why Aristotle has made cultural appearances outside university circles in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales since the Restoration, focusing on ethics/politics, rhetoric, and natural science.

The post-holder will specialize in the reception of Aristotle’s science and report to the Principal Investigator, Professor Edith Hall, in weekly meetings.

Essential requirements for the post include a PhD in a classical subject relevant to this project. The ideal candidate would have specialist experience in ancient Greek philosophy and/or science and in Classical Reception, although dedicated training in appropriate methodologies will be given. High motivation and organisational skills are essential.

The post-holder will examine the non-academic reception of Aristotelian works on natural science including the Peripatetic Problems, treatises on animals, Physics, De Caelo, De Generatione et Corruptione, De Mundo, and the Parva Naturalia. These are (mis)quoted, illustrated and epitomised in works on zoology, health, reproduction, gynaecology, and more occult matters. The post-holder will write four articles, including one for publication in the proceedings of the project’s closing conference. 

The post-holder will also help organize and host virtual workshops and the conference. They will contribute to the design and maintenance of the project’s website; competence in IT would be an advantage.