Postdoctoral Research Associate

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Dr Leigh Jackson. This part-time (0.4 FTE) NIHR-Biomedical Research Centre funded post is available on a fixed-term basis from 3rd  June 2024 to 2nd June 2025. The project, titled “Investigating the penetrance of rare cancer-predisposition pathogenic variants in unselected population cohorts from the UK and Iceland using whole genome sequencing data and linked medical records” will consider the impact of family history on inherited breast and ovarian cancer risk in Iceland as compared to the UK. The project will require the building of an Icelandic cohort to replicate analysis performed in the UK.  

The post will include coordinating with international stakeholders in academic, clinical and industry settings to establish an ongoing collaboration. This will require developing a detailed research proposal, obtaining the required ethical approvals and negotiating data-sharing agreements. Once the cohort has been developed, it will be used to replicate existing findings from the UK and highlight any differences between the countries. This data will be used to inform ongoing discussions around screening and risk prediction in health population settings.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies. They will also have experience of managing large national or international projects and coordinating with senior stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD in Genomics (or be nearing completion), or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Additional knowledge of working in genomics and/or epidemiology and within a National Health Service would be advantageous. Applicants will be able to work autonomously to deliver strategic objectives and find solutions to barriers that may impede project delivery.

Please ensure you read the Job Description.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave  (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). 

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99 per cent of our research is of international quality and 47 per cent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

For further information please contact Dr Leigh Jackson, e-mail [email protected] .