Research Associate (Bioinformatician) (Cardiff)

Vacancy Reference Number

17863BR

Closing Date

16 Feb 2024

Salary

Salary: £39347 - £44263 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Address

UK DRI at Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF14 4XN

Duration

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed term until 31st January 2027 and is available immediately.

About the Job

Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century.

To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are looking for an enthusiastic bioinformatician Research Associate to join Professor Julie Williams’ team in the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff, School of Medicine.

The UK Dementia Research Institute is a joint £290 million investment into dementia research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), alongside founding charity partners, the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. It is one of seven UK centres bringing collectively world-prominent scientists to deliver a step-change in the scientific knowledge of dementia, generating new targets for drug development, reinvigorating the therapeutic pipeline and helping to transform care. Our strategy is to build upon research strengths in dementia genetics, immunology, computational analytics, cellular and whole system modelling and neuroimaging to identify disease mechanisms and therapies for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s disease and other dementias.

In this role, you will:

Undertake a range of genetic and genomic analyses to identify associations with Alzheimer’s disease and relevant phenotypes

Test for differences between those with high and low polygenic scores using a broad range of disease-relevant assays in a variety of models, including induced pluripotent stem cells, animal models and chimeras

We’d like to hear from you if you:

Have experience within the fields of data science, bioinformatics, computational biology or proteomics

Have experience in writing code in object-oriented programming languages (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB).

Have a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

Job Purpose

To conduct research within Alzheimer’s disease data analysis and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To conduct research within Alzheimer’s disease data analysis and 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 the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• 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.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

i. Data science, bioinformatics, computational biology or proteomics

ii. Writing code in object-oriented programming languages (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB)

3.  Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field

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

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

Communication and Team Working

6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

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

Other

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

9. Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

Experience of application of multi-‘omics’ technologies, biostatistics, big data and integrating Machine Learning/AI approaches

A knowledge of the current status of research in induced pluripotent stem cells, neural development and neurodegenerative diseases.

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

Contact Information 

To apply visit here. 

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Professor Julie Williams (WilliamsJ@cardiff.ac.uk)