Scientific Data Analyst - MLC 2436

View Vacancy -- Scientific Data Analyst - MLC 2436
Open Date
27/06/2024, 10:30
Close Date
21/07/2024, 23:55
Research Institute  
MRC Mary Lyon Centre
Research Institute / Unit Information  
The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation campus in Oxfordshire and is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research.  As the hub of the new National Mouse Genetics Network, the specialist facilities and capabilities of the MLC support a number of research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band  
MRC - 4
Location  
Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
Salary  
£39,375 - £41,843 per annum, dependent on skills and experience
Contract Type  
Fixed Term
Job Type  
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time / Part Time  
Full Time
Contract Length  
Thirty months
Job Description  

Overall Purpose:

We are seeking a scientific data analyst to join the data management team at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC). This is an opportunity to use knowledge of in-vivo biological data to build skills in data management. 

The Mary Lyon Centre runs and develops specialised screening tests to investigate mouse gene function and develop preclinical models for human genetic disorders. These tests cover behavioural, physiological and metabolic assays. These generate complex datasets that present unique challenges to data management and analysis. The data management department works to validate data prior to its release to researchers and collaborators. This work will involve maintaining and developing validation pipelines, managing data and communicating about data quality across projects, and improving our capacity to validate scientific datasets. 

This role would suit a recent PhD graduate in life-sciences interested in applying their knowledge of in-vivo or other datasets and developing skills in data management and data validation. For example, a PhD graduate with experience in behavioural or metabolic assays and relevant datasets, who has a desire to translate this knowledge into software solutions and to learn programming skills. 

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:

• Use existing data management pipelines to conduct comprehensive data validation of numerous complex scientific datasets
• Learn skills to develop and maintain data analysis pipelines for varied biological datasets (Python, SQL, database management)
• Use knowledge of in-vivo measurements and liaise with animal technicians and researchers to determine necessary steps in data validation
• Flag, review, investigate and resolve issues in in-vivo datasets
• Manage and maintain database tables and relationships within database
• Work day-to-day within the data management team, discussing current technical issues and informing key stakeholders on plans and solutions
• Communicate effectively to the data management team and stakeholders when discussing and presenting data, data issues and processes
• Structure communication with technical and non-technical teams to diagnose data issues and ensure information is logged systematically
• Support and mentor junior team members
• Collaborate with software developers to standardise and automate data upload and validation
• Ensure that data is validated according to schedule, prioritising work to ensure that schedules are maintained
• Contribute to data standards, documentation, protocols and to Gitlab repositories
• Expand knowledge of in-vivo measurements as MLC innovates and integrates new datasets, such as those for telemetry and video-tracking

Working Relationships:

You will be part of the Data Management team and will report to the Head of Data Management. The Data Management team works closely with the phenotyping team as they gather datasets. The Data Management team will also work alongside other informatics teams. 

Additional Information:

Hybrid working is possible with this role. 

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Person Specification  

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

•  Qualification in the life sciences (PhD or MSC) or strong equivalent experience 

Desirable:

•  Project management training or qualifications
• Training or qualification in relevant technical skill such as coding or database management

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential: 

• Experience of managing, validating and analysing scientific datasets
• Demonstration of consistency and independence when working on long-term projects
• Experience of making decisions and communicating to teams and stakeholders 

Desirable:

• Evidence of working independently on a technical project
• Experience in building and using technical pipelines for data management

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential: 

• Advanced understanding of in-vivo experimentation
• Evidence of technical skill and aptitude in at least one of the following: code, SQL, database management, Excel VBAs, Tableau/Power BI or others if justified
• Ability to grasp complexity of scientific datasets

Desirable:

• Knowledge of concepts in data management and data analysis
• Understanding of data repository architecture and relational database management
• Experience of statistics such as power calculations and linear mixed-effect models

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Possess strong communication skills
• Be proactive and self-organised
• Capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines
• Able to develop and maintain effective professional working relationships
• Willing to learn new technical skills as project goals change

Further Information  

Equality & Diversity:

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all.  Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities.  The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management. 

Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements:

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality and Diversity policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection and Security policy 

The above lists are not exhaustive and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.