Research Associate (Bioinformatics)

Advert

Research Associate (Bioinformatics)
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and experienced computational biologist to join Professor Caleb Webber’s research group within the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University.  Prof Webber is the national UK DRI Director of Informatics, and the Webber group are experts in informatics, functional genomics and gene networks, and single cell analyses. The post holder will play a leading role in the projects within the Webber group, in particular around membrane repair pathways as part of the outstanding CZI Neurodegenerative Challenge Network (NDCN) but also across a broader range of informatics data analysis projects around neurodegeneration. The Webber group encourages new thinking in the analytical approaches that can yield a greater understanding of cellular dysfunction and we are keen to identify and support the next leaders in the field. 

The position is based in the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University, which is one of seven new Dementia Research Institute UK centres. The UK DRI is recently established well-funded institute focused on elucidating and targeting the pathways and mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease, offering an exciting research environment closely aligned with established expertise in the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics.  The Early Career Researcher network is particularly strong within the UK DRI and the post-holder will be strongly encouraged to take advantage of the national UK DRI community to advance their science.
In this role, you will: 

• Conduct bioinformatics, functional genomics and statistical genetics research on a range of biological data relevant to cellular dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• Review and synthesise existing research literature around informatics and data science as relevant to neurodegenerative disease.

 

We’d like to hear from you if you: 

• Have a postgraduate degree at PhD level in a bioinformatics, statistical genetics or computer science, or equivalent or relevant industrial experience
• Have established expertise and a proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within Bioinformatics/Biostatistics, especially gene expression/functional genomics
• Have experience in using R, UNIX/Linux and/or Python scripting and in the manipulation and analysis of large biological datasets in different data formats

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Caleb Webber on

[email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st March 2024 and fixed term until 28th February 2027 based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Date Advertised: 19 January 2024

Closing date: 16 February 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

Job Purpose
To conduct research for a Chan-Zuckerberg-funded NDCN and UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI) funded project to explore cellular dysfunction associated with cellular membrane integrity and other cellular degenerative pathways, and to contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out high impact research resulting in high-quality publications in international journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties

Research

• To conduct bioinformatics, functional genomics and statistical genetics research on a range of biological data relevant to cellular dysfunction and neurodegeneration, and to contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of project meetings and documentation and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature around informatics and data science as relevant to neurodegenerative disease.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the University, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a bioinformatics, statistical genetics or computer science, or equivalent or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within Bioinformatics/Biostatistics, especially gene expression/functional genomics.

Experience in using R, UNIX/Linux and/or Python scripting and the manipulation and analysis of large biological datasets in different data formats.

Proven ability to publish in national/international journals and/or other research outputs.

Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working

Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.

Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.

Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria 

Expertise in single cell informatics analyses.

Expertise in advanced statistical and/or AI/ML approaches.

Commitment to reproducibility and open science.

Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 17893BR

How we will support you in performing in this role – 

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4.    A mentoring scheme

Job Category

Academic – Research