Research Associate in Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented researcher with a background in molecular and genetic epidemiology to join the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme (ICEP) at the University of Bristol to investigate the value added by human genetics to interrogate the causal role played by the human gut microbiome in cancer aetiology. Building on the current work of Kaitlin and her growing team, this Research Associate (Grade I) position is funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) as part of a Population Research Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Dr Kaitlin Wade. The post holder will be covering a vacant position for the remaining time of funding (until 31/12/2024 initially).

The post holder will lead projects within this programme of research, including gathering and appraising information about the host genetic contributions to the gut microbiome from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). They will apply contemporary causal inference methodologies, such as Mendelian randomization, to challenge the role of the gut microbiome in cancer aetiology, examining the likely effects of reverse causation in these relationships, and assessing the association between genome-wide predictors of the gut microbiome and cancer risk outside a causal framework.

Through this role, the post holder will have access to several large datasets comprising a mixture of individual-level genetic, microbiome and/or epidemiological data (e.g., the Flemish Gut Flora Project, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children and UK Biobank) and large-scale GWAS consortia of the gut microbiome (e.g., the MiBioGen consortium) and cancer risk (e.g., the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium for colorectal cancer) to undertake the research objectives. The post holder will work closely with a large range of researchers within ICEP and international collaborators including those at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the institution of which the post holder will have the opportunity to spend time on extended visits during the post.

You have a strong background in molecular and genetic epidemiology, medical statistics and epidemiology, with experience using statistical programming languages (such as Stata and R) and working with large-scale genetic and other ‘omic datasets. Ideally, a successful applicant will also have experience of applied statistical analyses, genome-wide association study methodology and Mendelian randomization analyses.

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/12/2024

Work pattern: Full time/1 FTE

Grade: Grade I - Pathway 2

Salary: 37,099 per annum

School/Unit: Bristol Medical School

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week 

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 18/02/2024

For informal queries please contact: Kaitlin Wade ([email protected] ) and Nicholas Timpson ([email protected] )

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented researcher with a background in molecular and genetic epidemiology to join the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme (ICEP) at the University of Bristol to investigate the value added by human genetics to interrogate the causal role played by the human gut microbiome in cancer aetiology. Building on the current work of Kaitlin and her growing team, this Research Associate (Grade I) position is funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) as part of a Population Research Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Dr Kaitlin Wade. The post holder will be covering a vacant position for the remaining time of funding (until 31/12/2024 initially).

The post holder will lead projects within this programme of research, including gathering and appraising information about the host genetic contributions to the gut microbiome from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). They will apply contemporary causal inference methodologies, such as Mendelian randomization, to challenge the role of the gut microbiome in cancer aetiology, examining the likely effects of reverse causation in these relationships, and assessing the association between genome-wide predictors of the gut microbiome and cancer risk outside a causal framework.

Through this role, the post holder will have access to several large datasets comprising a mixture of individual-level genetic, microbiome and/or epidemiological data (e.g., the Flemish Gut Flora Project, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children and UK Biobank) and large-scale GWAS consortia of the gut microbiome (e.g., the MiBioGen consortium) and cancer risk (e.g., the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium for colorectal cancer) to undertake the research objectives. The post holder will work closely with a large range of researchers within ICEP and international collaborators including those at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the institution of which the post holder will have the opportunity to spend time on extended visits during the post.

You have a strong background in molecular and genetic epidemiology, medical statistics and epidemiology, with experience using statistical programming languages (such as Stata and R) and working with large-scale genetic and other ‘omic datasets. Ideally, a successful applicant will also have experience of applied statistical analyses, genome-wide association study methodology and Mendelian randomization analyses.

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/12/2024

Work pattern: Full time/1 FTE

Grade: Grade I - Pathway 2

Salary: 37,099 per annum

School/Unit: Bristol Medical School

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week 

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 18/02/2024

For informal queries please contact: Kaitlin Wade ([email protected] ) and Nicholas Timpson ([email protected] )

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.