Alex de Mendoza

Queen Mary University of London is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr Alex de Mendoza in the Department of Biology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, in London. The project investigates the epigenetic control of giant virus endogenizations in animals . Building on the group’s research into giant virus endogenization in eukaryotes, the successful researcher will use cnidarian model systems to characterise the chromatin state of endogenised viral elements and investigate ways to disrupt these states to reactivate recent endogenizations. The research combines cnidarian epigenomics, comparative genomics, chromatin biology, transposable elements, and giant virus annotation and evolution . The postdoctoral researcher will perform comparative genomic analyses, epigenome profiling and manipulation, and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication. The role also offers opportunities to contribute to student supervision and collaborate with international research partners. The researcher will work within a large, research-intensive School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary University of London, benefiting from an academically integrated environment and collaboration across biological disciplines.

This PhD project at Queen Mary University of London focuses on engineering heritable epigenetic states in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, a powerful invertebrate model for studying early animal evolution and DNA methylation. Unlike classic model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster and C. elegans, which have lost cytosine DNA methylation, Nematostella retains this epigenetic mark, allowing researchers to investigate how epigenetic information is inherited and shapes phenotypes across generations. The student will use cutting-edge (epi)genome editing tools (Cas9 and dCas9), epigenomic profiling, and bioinformatic analysis to engineer changes in DNA methylation and track their effects on gene expression and inheritance. This research aims to deepen our understanding of the evolution of epigenetic inheritance and explore whether natural selection can act directly on epigenetic variation, bridging the fields of evolution and genome engineering. The project is based in the laboratory of Dr Alex de Mendoza, which specializes in the evolution of gene regulatory mechanisms, base modifications, and transposable elements, with expertise in comparative analysis of epigenetic profiles across diverse eukaryotes. The lab employs functional genomics and bioinformatics to address fundamental questions in genome evolution, working with non-traditional model systems. The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary University of London provides a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities. Funding is available through a partnership with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), covering tuition fees, living expenses, and a return flight for successful Chinese applicants. Candidates must be citizens and permanent residents of China, hold a Chinese passport, and apply for CSC funding. Applicants should have or expect to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or Developmental Biology. Experience with functional genomics and aquatic model systems is advantageous. English language proficiency must be demonstrated before the CSC application deadline. Applications must be submitted online by January 28, 2026, with all required documentation. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, and successful applicants will receive a conditional offer letter before applying to CSC for the scholarship.