Biostatistician/Bioinformatician – Experimental Cancer Genetics : Cambridge, United Kingdom

Job ID: 600195
Job date: 2016-12-16
End Date:

Company : Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute 

Country :

Role : Research Scientist 


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Job Description:
The Experimental Cancer Genetics group at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute are seeking an experienced Biostatistician/Bioinformatician to contribute to the characterisation of mutational signatures and mutational landscapes from the genomes and epigenomes of lung tumours induced by carcinogen exposure.

We will leverage a significant resource of DNA of lung tumours from carcinogen-exposed mice and sequence the genomes of hundreds of mouse lung tumours. Our aim is to explore how exposure to carcinogens alters the genome by characterising mutational signatures, driver genes and tumour evolution. Unlike studies performed using cell lines we will assess the effect of mutagens and carcinogens on different tissues, in the context of an intact immune system, and also assess the role of other factors such as age or sex on tumour formation. Collectively, this work will be an extension of our papers recently published in Nature (Westcott et al., 2015) and Nature Medicine (McCreery et al., 2015) and is funded by Cancer Research-UK.

Our group is research-driven, and the role-holder would be expected to lead the creation of publications arising from this work. Therefore, this role would suit a biostatistician/bioinformatician with experience in the field of cancer genomics, ideally in the analysis of somatic variation. The role will involve the evaluation of statistical methods, statistical analysis and scientific interpretation of data. The successful candidate will work closely with an established team of scientists and developers, so NGS pipeline experience is desirable but not strictly necessary. This is an academic track position.

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is a world leader in delivering large scale genome sequencing projects using the latest sequencing technologies and analysis methods. The Experimental Cancer Genetics group (http://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/groups/adams-group) builds on the formidable bioinformatic resources of the Cancer Genome Project (http://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/groups/cancer-genome-project) to conduct hypothesis-driven research into the mechanisms of cancer development.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrable record in biostatistics / statistical genetics

• Strong programming skills in R or an equivalent language

• Advanced degree (PhD) or equivalent research experience

• Demonstrable record of computational data analysis

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)

• Proficiency in one or more scripting languages

Ideal Skills

• Familiar with working on the unix command line

• NGS data analysis

• Knowledge of mouse genetics or genomics


Requeriments :

Skills :

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Additional Info:
The Sanger Institute is a charitably funded research centre focused on understanding the role of genetics in health and disease. We use state of the art large-scale genomic approaches to drive world-leading projects to uncover the basis of genetic and infectious disease. Our goal is to provide results that can be translated into diagnostics, treatments or therapies that reduce global health burdens. The Institute is located near Cambridge, UK on the stunning Wellcome Genome Campus. This growing and dynamic site is the British hub of genomic science. It hosts the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), Open Targets, a Biodata Innovation Centre and will soon host Genomics England Limited’s 100,000 Genomes Sequencing Centre. The Campus is also home to Wellcome Genome Campus Connecting Science. Connecting Science inspires new thinking, sparks conversation and supports learning by drawing on the ground-breaking research taking place on the Campus. Its mission is to enable everyone to explore genomic science and its impact on research, health and society.

To help researchers to develop their skills and networks, the Institute hosts a range of scientific seminars with internal and invited speakers, scientific group meetings and skills development workshops.

Our Benefits include: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, Group Income Protection, Healthcare scheme, Childcare Vouchers, Workplace Nursery and 25 days Annual Leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30, plus Bank Holidays. We also have a gym, two cafes, dining facilities, and a free campus bus service. Our thriving Sports and Social Club provides many opportunities to meet with people working across the campus.

Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

Please include a covering letter and CV with your application. Closing date for applications: 2nd January 2017, however applications will be considered and reviewed on an on-going basis and therefore the post may be filled before the deadline.

Salary £38989 to £49602 per annum depending on experience.

Fixed Term Contract – 5 Years

Expires: January 02, 2017

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