Post-Doctoral 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 Research Associate to join the world class Psychosis Group in the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics in the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine.

The role will be required to generate and exploit genomic findings in psychosis to advance our understanding of the biology underpinning the disorders and/or understand how genetic variation influences variation in their clinical presentation, trajectory, and treatment outcomes. The post is funded by the National Institute of Health (USA) within the framework of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium which involves hundreds of investigators across the globe. The position offers access to the world’s largest psychiatric genomic datasets, and provides a rare opportunity to work directly with, and in collaboration with, multiple field leaders of the discipline.
We’d like to hear from you if you have:

• A PhD (or nearing submission) in a field relevant to genomic studies of complex traits (including genomic bioinformatics or functional genomics), or in the phenomics of psychosis. Demonstrably equivalent industrial experience is an acceptable alternative to the PhD requirement. Experience in psychiatric phenotype data collection or curation will be an advantage but is not essential. 
• The ability to manipulate large datasets for linking complex trait associated genetic variation to phenotypic outcomes and/or altered biological function in genes, cells, or humans.

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

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Michael O’Donovan on [email protected]   

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 01.02.2024 and fixed term until 28.02.2026

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.

How we will support you in performing in this role – 

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4.    A mentoring scheme

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. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

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 assisting in bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, 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.

• 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
1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing 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 at least 1 of the following research fields:

i.    Genomics (including relevant bioinformatics or functional genomics)    

ii.    Phenomics of Psychosis

3.    Knowledge of current status of research in at least one of the above fields.

4.    Ability to manipulate large datasets for linking complex trait associated genetic variation to altered function (genes, cells, human) or phenotypic outcomes with demonstrable abilities to work in R and Unix/Bash environments.

5.    Proven ability to publish in international journals.

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

Communication and Team Working
7.    Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
8.    Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other
9.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
10.    Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

11.    Knowledge of Python, Julia, and knowledge of Slurm-based computing clusters.

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, 17935BR

Job Category

Academic - Research