Research Associate

Advert

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

We are looking for a post-doctoral Research Associate to join the world class Psychosis Research Group of the Cardiff University Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG). You will be funded by a 5-year MRC Programme grant entitled Molecular Genetic Studies of Schizophrenia: Understanding Treatment Resistance and Outcomes to Inform Precision Psychiatry.

The position will offer access to the world’s largest psychiatric genomic datasets, and provide the rare opportunity to work directly with, and in collaboration with, multiple international leaders in the field. You will work in the vibrant CNGG research environment where we will support your career and skills development. The successful candidate will have expertise in genomic analysis and will be responsible for the merging and analysis of existing and new whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing data from a consortium of collaborators. 

In this role, you will:

• Conduct research within the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics Psychosis Research Group and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the supervision of postgraduate research students.
• Attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• 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.

We’d like to hear from you if you:

• Have proven experience of processing and/or performing statistical analysis of large genomic data sets, either array (GWAS and CNVs) or rare (whole exome and whole genome sequencing) variants or both.
• Have demonstrated expertise in the genetics of complex disorders. 

This post is based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

For informal enquiries please contact Professor James Walters on [email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st April 2024 and fixed term until 20th October 2028.

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 advert posted: Thursday, 8 February 2024

Closing date: Thursday, 29 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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  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 within the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics Psychosis Research Group 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. The post will focus on collating and analysing whole-genome and whole exome- sequence data.

Key Duties

Research  

• To conduct research within the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics Psychosis Research Group 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. The post will focus on collating and analysing whole-genome and whole exome- sequence data.
• 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. 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education 

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

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

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

• Analysis of genomic data either array (GWAS and CNVs) or rare (whole exome and whole genome sequencing) variants or both.  

Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field.

Proven ability to publish in international journals, national or international conferences and 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

Experience of genomic analyses of psychiatric disorders. 

Working with international consortia and merging data from multiple sources,

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, 18053BR

Job Category

Academic - Research