Tom Roper-Smith
@palaeotom.bsky.social
Rarely online - see https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-tom-smith for contact details and current research interests.
Computational palaeobiologist | Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow, Oxford University Museum of Natural History | He/him
Computational palaeobiologist | Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow, Oxford University Museum of Natural History | He/him
Pinned
Tom Roper-Smith
@palaeotom.bsky.social
· Nov 24
Exploring the macroevolutionary impact of ecosystem engineers using an individual‐based eco‐evolutionary simulation
Ecosystem engineers can radically reshape ecosystems by modulating the availability of resources to other organisms through modifying either physical or biological aspects of the environment. The int....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Overdue introductory post!
Hi 👋, I'm Tom, a palaeobiologist with an interest in diversification dynamics, both taxonomic and morphological, and a penchant for evolutionary simulations. My most recent work combines the two: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Nice to meet you all!
Hi 👋, I'm Tom, a palaeobiologist with an interest in diversification dynamics, both taxonomic and morphological, and a penchant for evolutionary simulations. My most recent work combines the two: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Nice to meet you all!
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Job announcement: a four-year postdoc position in phylogenomics at the Milner Centre for Evolution, Bath, with James Clark and me (I'm moving to Bath later in the year...). www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy...
ED12442 Research Associate in Phylogenomics (fixed-term) - Jobs at Bath
www.bath.ac.uk
February 18, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Job announcement: a four-year postdoc position in phylogenomics at the Milner Centre for Evolution, Bath, with James Clark and me (I'm moving to Bath later in the year...). www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Job Alert: Senior Research Associate in Phylogenomics @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social researching timing, sequence and phenotypic consequences of rediploidisation following whole genome duplication - comparative genomics, molecular clock and phenotypic disparity methods, with @jameswclark.bsky.social
February 18, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Job Alert: Senior Research Associate in Phylogenomics @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social researching timing, sequence and phenotypic consequences of rediploidisation following whole genome duplication - comparative genomics, molecular clock and phenotypic disparity methods, with @jameswclark.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Really cool project to work on, happy to see it out!
Happy to share our paper’s final version on the evolution, structure, and membrane binding / remodeling of Asgard ESCRT-III proteins! And my first 🦋 post! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Asgard archaea reveal the conserved principles of ESCRT-III membrane remodeling
Asgard archaea have two ESCRT-III subunits with the conserved traits that drive stepwise membrane remodeling in eukaryotes.
www.science.org
February 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Really cool project to work on, happy to see it out!
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Lectureship in Evolutionary Biology up for grabs @bristolbiosci.bsky.social for someone who studies "evolutionary processes and the emergence of large-scale patterns of organismal diversity using comparative genomics, and/or bioinformatics. Application deadline February 16
Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol
www.bristol.ac.uk
February 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Lectureship in Evolutionary Biology up for grabs @bristolbiosci.bsky.social for someone who studies "evolutionary processes and the emergence of large-scale patterns of organismal diversity using comparative genomics, and/or bioinformatics. Application deadline February 16
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
We are reading this paper - again! - for lab meeting this week. It’s so good and essential that it requires periodic revisiting, esp. as new folks join my group. Generates great discussion and introspection.
The authors also approach the topic with refreshing humility.
doi.org/10.1002/ecy....
The authors also approach the topic with refreshing humility.
doi.org/10.1002/ecy....
A practical guide to selecting models for exploration, inference, and prediction in ecology
Selecting among competing statistical models is a core challenge in science. However, the many possible approaches and techniques for model selection, and the conflicting recommendations for their us...
doi.org
January 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We are reading this paper - again! - for lab meeting this week. It’s so good and essential that it requires periodic revisiting, esp. as new folks join my group. Generates great discussion and introspection.
The authors also approach the topic with refreshing humility.
doi.org/10.1002/ecy....
The authors also approach the topic with refreshing humility.
doi.org/10.1002/ecy....
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Super excited that our review on the ecology of the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is now out on how ecology changes across scales from organisms to communities to the world through time. Fab art @franzanth.bsky.social showing the build up of ecological complexity
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
January 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Super excited that our review on the ecology of the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is now out on how ecology changes across scales from organisms to communities to the world through time. Fab art @franzanth.bsky.social showing the build up of ecological complexity
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Tahlia Pollock @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social has an amazing new study integrating 3D shape, biomechanics, and optimality modelling, helps explain why so many mammals evolve sabre teeth: functional optimality was a key driver behind the repeated evolution of extreme sabre-tooth morphologies.
January 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Tahlia Pollock @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social has an amazing new study integrating 3D shape, biomechanics, and optimality modelling, helps explain why so many mammals evolve sabre teeth: functional optimality was a key driver behind the repeated evolution of extreme sabre-tooth morphologies.
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Faculty job alert!! Come join the team @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social
We are recruiting an Associate Professor of Climate Science with a Tutorial Fellowship @ www.st-hughs.ox.ac.uk
Application deadline 7th Feb. 2025
Details here: tinyurl.com/yc3axenr
Please Quote. DM/email me for more information.
We are recruiting an Associate Professor of Climate Science with a Tutorial Fellowship @ www.st-hughs.ox.ac.uk
Application deadline 7th Feb. 2025
Details here: tinyurl.com/yc3axenr
Please Quote. DM/email me for more information.
Job Details
tinyurl.com
December 10, 2024 at 5:25 PM
Faculty job alert!! Come join the team @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social
We are recruiting an Associate Professor of Climate Science with a Tutorial Fellowship @ www.st-hughs.ox.ac.uk
Application deadline 7th Feb. 2025
Details here: tinyurl.com/yc3axenr
Please Quote. DM/email me for more information.
We are recruiting an Associate Professor of Climate Science with a Tutorial Fellowship @ www.st-hughs.ox.ac.uk
Application deadline 7th Feb. 2025
Details here: tinyurl.com/yc3axenr
Please Quote. DM/email me for more information.
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Fancy coming to work with @biogeo-josh.bsky.social and me looking at the impact of stress on evolution using simulations?
This project is funded for four years, with a decent amount of spending money and includes cover for tuition fees no matter where in the world you are from
⚒️🧪🦀🦑 #evosky
This project is funded for four years, with a decent amount of spending money and includes cover for tuition fees no matter where in the world you are from
⚒️🧪🦀🦑 #evosky
@russellgarwood.bsky.social and I have a funded PhD opportunity open using computer models to explore extinction dynamics with environmental stress. Please distribute and contact Russell or me for more information!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Computer modelling of extinction, and the impact of environmental stress at The University of Manchester on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Computer modelling of extinction, and the impact of environmental stress at The University of Manchester, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 10, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Fancy coming to work with @biogeo-josh.bsky.social and me looking at the impact of stress on evolution using simulations?
This project is funded for four years, with a decent amount of spending money and includes cover for tuition fees no matter where in the world you are from
⚒️🧪🦀🦑 #evosky
This project is funded for four years, with a decent amount of spending money and includes cover for tuition fees no matter where in the world you are from
⚒️🧪🦀🦑 #evosky
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
This! And bear in mind if you are in palaeontology, there is a curated list on the Palaeontological Association website:
www.palass.org/careers/phd-...
www.palass.org/careers/phd-...
For anyone looking for PhDs in the UK starting October 2025 in ecology, evolution, environment etc. The new Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLAs) recently got announced so lots of people will be adverting PhDs with January deadlines. Check out findaphd.com to search for ones that interest you!
PhD Programmes, Research Projects & Studentships in the UK & Europe
FindAPhD is a comprehensive guide to PhD studentships and postgraduate research degrees
findaphd.com
November 28, 2024 at 3:27 PM
This! And bear in mind if you are in palaeontology, there is a curated list on the Palaeontological Association website:
www.palass.org/careers/phd-...
www.palass.org/careers/phd-...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Job alert! Director of Oxford University Museum of Natural History: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DKV017/d...
Director of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History at University of Oxford
Recruiting now: Director of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 27, 2024 at 6:28 PM
Job alert! Director of Oxford University Museum of Natural History: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DKV017/d...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
What did the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (#LECA) look like? Consensus View in #PLOSBiology; massive authorship including @AncestralState, @lauraeme.bsky.social, John Archbald, @andrewjroger.bsky.social, @dackslabecb.bsky.social, Jeremy Wideman. plos.io/4g0alq4
November 25, 2024 at 7:29 PM
What did the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (#LECA) look like? Consensus View in #PLOSBiology; massive authorship including @AncestralState, @lauraeme.bsky.social, John Archbald, @andrewjroger.bsky.social, @dackslabecb.bsky.social, Jeremy Wideman. plos.io/4g0alq4
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
🚨PhD Opportunity: Come to Edinburgh and study ichthyosaurs with us!
Study Scottish fossils from Skye! New ones & historic specimens!
Project led by Stig Walsh, co-supervised by @davfoff.bsky.social Nick Fraser, Erin Maxwell & me.
Details👇
e4-dtp.ed.ac.uk/e5-dtp/super...
Study Scottish fossils from Skye! New ones & historic specimens!
Project led by Stig Walsh, co-supervised by @davfoff.bsky.social Nick Fraser, Erin Maxwell & me.
Details👇
e4-dtp.ed.ac.uk/e5-dtp/super...
November 25, 2024 at 3:32 PM
🚨PhD Opportunity: Come to Edinburgh and study ichthyosaurs with us!
Study Scottish fossils from Skye! New ones & historic specimens!
Project led by Stig Walsh, co-supervised by @davfoff.bsky.social Nick Fraser, Erin Maxwell & me.
Details👇
e4-dtp.ed.ac.uk/e5-dtp/super...
Study Scottish fossils from Skye! New ones & historic specimens!
Project led by Stig Walsh, co-supervised by @davfoff.bsky.social Nick Fraser, Erin Maxwell & me.
Details👇
e4-dtp.ed.ac.uk/e5-dtp/super...
Overdue introductory post!
Hi 👋, I'm Tom, a palaeobiologist with an interest in diversification dynamics, both taxonomic and morphological, and a penchant for evolutionary simulations. My most recent work combines the two: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Nice to meet you all!
Hi 👋, I'm Tom, a palaeobiologist with an interest in diversification dynamics, both taxonomic and morphological, and a penchant for evolutionary simulations. My most recent work combines the two: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Nice to meet you all!
Exploring the macroevolutionary impact of ecosystem engineers using an individual‐based eco‐evolutionary simulation
Ecosystem engineers can radically reshape ecosystems by modulating the availability of resources to other organisms through modifying either physical or biological aspects of the environment. The int....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 24, 2024 at 10:47 AM
Overdue introductory post!
Hi 👋, I'm Tom, a palaeobiologist with an interest in diversification dynamics, both taxonomic and morphological, and a penchant for evolutionary simulations. My most recent work combines the two: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Nice to meet you all!
Hi 👋, I'm Tom, a palaeobiologist with an interest in diversification dynamics, both taxonomic and morphological, and a penchant for evolutionary simulations. My most recent work combines the two: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Nice to meet you all!
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Please share:
New opportunity➡️
University of Cambridge has a new program to provide fully funded opportunities for 5 #Brazilian Mphil students a year!
For more details and opportunities to link up with the Conservation Research institute, see:
conservation.cam.ac.uk/suzano-maste...
New opportunity➡️
University of Cambridge has a new program to provide fully funded opportunities for 5 #Brazilian Mphil students a year!
For more details and opportunities to link up with the Conservation Research institute, see:
conservation.cam.ac.uk/suzano-maste...
conservation.cam.ac.uk
November 21, 2024 at 8:16 AM
Please share:
New opportunity➡️
University of Cambridge has a new program to provide fully funded opportunities for 5 #Brazilian Mphil students a year!
For more details and opportunities to link up with the Conservation Research institute, see:
conservation.cam.ac.uk/suzano-maste...
New opportunity➡️
University of Cambridge has a new program to provide fully funded opportunities for 5 #Brazilian Mphil students a year!
For more details and opportunities to link up with the Conservation Research institute, see:
conservation.cam.ac.uk/suzano-maste...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Interested in pursuing a PhD in paleobiology and want to think more about extinction? Check out the below PhD project! Please get in contact if interested!
earth.ox.ac.uk/disentanglin...
Illustration by Victor O. Leshyk
earth.ox.ac.uk/disentanglin...
Illustration by Victor O. Leshyk
November 21, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Interested in pursuing a PhD in paleobiology and want to think more about extinction? Check out the below PhD project! Please get in contact if interested!
earth.ox.ac.uk/disentanglin...
Illustration by Victor O. Leshyk
earth.ox.ac.uk/disentanglin...
Illustration by Victor O. Leshyk
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Our new paper on #AI for evolutionary morphology is out! This massive team effort covers the history of AI for studying morphology, reviews new tools, provides many case studies & a prospectus for using AI to progress diverse topics in evolutionary morphology. academic.oup.com/iob/article/...
November 9, 2024 at 1:41 PM
Our new paper on #AI for evolutionary morphology is out! This massive team effort covers the history of AI for studying morphology, reviews new tools, provides many case studies & a prospectus for using AI to progress diverse topics in evolutionary morphology. academic.oup.com/iob/article/...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Saupe Lab updates are moving to BlueSky - consider following if you're interested in biogeography, macroecology, maceoevolution, extinction selectivity, and species' responses to climate change!
November 15, 2024 at 5:07 PM
Saupe Lab updates are moving to BlueSky - consider following if you're interested in biogeography, macroecology, maceoevolution, extinction selectivity, and species' responses to climate change!
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
Our latest, by Emily Carlisle, Zongjun Yin, Davide Pisani and myself: Ediacaran origin and Ediacaran-Cambrian diversification of Metazoa www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 15, 2024 at 5:54 PM
Our latest, by Emily Carlisle, Zongjun Yin, Davide Pisani and myself: Ediacaran origin and Ediacaran-Cambrian diversification of Metazoa www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
I’m advertising PhD projects in palaeoclimate, stratigraphy & palaebiology of past greenhouse worlds for entry in Oct 2025!
Funding via our new @ukri.org doctoral programme: www.ilesla.ox.ac.uk
Projects here: www.earth.ox.ac.uk/graduate/pro...
@oxfordenvres.bsky.social @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social
Funding via our new @ukri.org doctoral programme: www.ilesla.ox.ac.uk
Projects here: www.earth.ox.ac.uk/graduate/pro...
@oxfordenvres.bsky.social @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social
hilesla.ox.ac.uk
November 14, 2024 at 9:58 PM
I’m advertising PhD projects in palaeoclimate, stratigraphy & palaebiology of past greenhouse worlds for entry in Oct 2025!
Funding via our new @ukri.org doctoral programme: www.ilesla.ox.ac.uk
Projects here: www.earth.ox.ac.uk/graduate/pro...
@oxfordenvres.bsky.social @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social
Funding via our new @ukri.org doctoral programme: www.ilesla.ox.ac.uk
Projects here: www.earth.ox.ac.uk/graduate/pro...
@oxfordenvres.bsky.social @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Roper-Smith
My followers have doubled in the past few days (uh, hi everyone! glad you're here!), so I figured I'd repromote this. Fully-funded and very flexible PhD available at the University of Aberdeen on the cultural evoluation of tea! 🫖
Fully-funded PhD position available on the cultural evolution of tea!
With me, Sabine Parrish, and David Burslem at the University of Aberdeen (🏴), come combine anthropology and biology to think about why people drink tea and how that may change in the future.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
With me, Sabine Parrish, and David Burslem at the University of Aberdeen (🏴), come combine anthropology and biology to think about why people drink tea and how that may change in the future.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
People and tea: past, present, and future at University of Aberdeen on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - People and tea: past, present, and future at University of Aberdeen , listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 14, 2024 at 1:02 PM
My followers have doubled in the past few days (uh, hi everyone! glad you're here!), so I figured I'd repromote this. Fully-funded and very flexible PhD available at the University of Aberdeen on the cultural evoluation of tea! 🫖