Research Associate

12923BR

School of Medicine

Research

Advert

Research Associate - Bioinformatics
UK Dementia Research Institute
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
Cardiff University School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

We have an exciting opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Bioinformatician to join Professor Valentina Escott-Price’s research group within the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff University.  The UK DRI at Cardiff is a £290 million investment into dementia research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), alongside founding charity partners, the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. It is one of seven UK centres bringing collectively world-prominent scientists to deliver a step-change in the scientific knowledge of dementia, generating new targets for drug development, reinvigorating the therapeutic pipeline and helping to transform care. Our strategy is to build upon research strengths in dementia genetics, immunology, computational analytics, cellular and whole system modelling and neuroimaging to identify disease mechanisms and therapies for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s disease and other dementias.

The post holder will play a leading role in the analysis of large and complex genetic datasets with a range of Machine Learning approaches, whilst leading a broad range of investigative and analytical activities to maximally exploit gene x gene and gene x environment interactions in clinical and genetic data, and linking them to an individual risk score with the aim to reveal novel therapeutic targets in dementia. They will help refine inclusion criteria for future clinical trials and ultimately translate into guidance for personalized healthcare decisions. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research investigating the complex architecture of dementia and related subphenotypes in human data.

The role holder will work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to perform self-directed analyses using in house and publicly available datasets for high impact, peer-reviewed publications. Applicants should be knowledgeable and enthusiastic with the ability to multi-task and communicate effectively. Core tasks will include data analysis and management of genetic, genomic and related phenotypic data from dementia case-control and cohort samples, publicly available and in-house generated genomic human data. Collaborative working is a key component of this role meaning that communication skills will be vital, in order to cultivate international collaborations from a number of academic institutions. 

The successful applicant will have a background in machine learning and biostatistics with proven experience of extensive large-scale data analyses and manipulation, including analysis of genome-wide association studies and genetic interactions. Expert knowledge of data manipulation in a UNIX/Linux environment and proficiency in high level programming languages such as Python and R Statistics is essential. Knowledge of techniques used in genetics and epidemiology, as well as experience in using software used for the analysis of genomic data such as PLINK, LDScore, is desirable.

This post is a full time (35 hours per week) and is fixed term and is available from 4th January 2022 to 31st March 2023.

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6)

Date advert posted: Monday, 29 November 2021

Closing date: Monday, 13 December 2021

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

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: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

Main Function

To conduct research principally within biostatistics, and with bioinformatics associated with Alzheimer’s disease genetics and population studies, and to contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research
•    To conduct research within biostatistics with some bioinformatics of complex genetic disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and of general population cohorts 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.  Specifically, this will include:
- Playing a leading role in the analysis of large and complex genetic datasets with a range of Machine Learning approaches, whilst leading a broad range of investigative and analytical activities to maximally exploit gene x gene and gene x environment interactions in clinical and genetic data, and linking them to an individual risk score with the aim to reveal novel therapeutic targets in dementia.
- Refining inclusion criteria for future clinical trials and ultimately translate into guidance for personalized healthcare decisions.
- Taking part in cutting-edge research investigating the complex architecture of dementia and related subphenotypes in human data.
- Performing self-directed analyses using in house and publicly available datasets for high impact, peer-reviewed publications.
- Conducting data analysis and management of genetic, genomic and related phenotypic data from dementia case-control and cohort samples, publicly available and in-house generated genomic human 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
1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area (Statistics / Bioinformatics or an equivalent discipline) ) or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
-    Biostatistics in complex genetic analyses
-    Genetic Interaction data analysis
-    Alzheimer’s disease genetics
-    High Performance Computing
-    Big data manipulation and analyses
-    Machine Learning

3.    Knowledge of current status of research in biostatistics, machine learning, genetic data simulation techniques, genetic interaction analyses and Alzheimer’s disease genetics.
4.    Proven ability to publish in national journals.
5.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

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

Other
8.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.

Desirable Criteria
9.      Proven ability to work without close supervision.
10.    Relevant professional qualification(s): Undergraduate background/modules in either/or Psychology, Neuroscience or Mathematics.
11.    Knowledge of techniques used in genetics and epidemiology, as well as experience in using software used for the analysis of genomic data such as GCTA, LDpred and LDScore.
12.    Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
13.    Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.
14.    A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.

Additional Information

The project is embedded within the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University. The post holder will work with Prof. Valentina Escott Price, and will attend and contribute to meetings and seminars. There will be an opportunity to interface with a variety of international cohorts for data analysis, and the opportunity to publish in high quality journals.

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. 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 your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 12923BR

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Job Category

Academic - Research, Health, Medical & Dental