Research Associate (Computational Biologist) / Senior Research Associate (Bioinformatician) (Fixed Term)

Job Description:
We seek a highly motivated computational researcher for a key role within Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian's pioneering research programme at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CI). Our research focuses on the chemical biology of the genome and epigenome (http://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/group/shankar/publications). Our lab invents and applies new computational methods for the analysis of sequence, structure and chemical modification of DNA and RNA. This position provides opportunities to collaborate with experimental scientists across the chemistry-biology interface from experimental design to the analysis of novel types of data. The post-holder will work as a bioinformatics analyst contributing to several project domains such as:

• Elucidating the fundamental role of non-canonical nucleic acid structures, such as G-quadruplexes, in the genome and transcriptome (e.g. Chambers et al., Nature Biotechnology 2015, DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3295; Hänsel-Hertsch et al., Nature Genetics 2016, DOI: 10.1038/ng.3662)
• Identification and mapping of modified bases, such as cytosine and thymidine modifications, and understanding their function in the genome and epigenome (e.g. Booth et al., Science 2012, DOI: 10.1126/science.1220671; Bachman et al. Nature Chemical Biology 2015, DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.1848; Kawasaki et al., Genome Biology 2017, DOI: 10.1186/s13059-017-1150-1)

Key functions of the role include:

• Using existing pipelines or implementing new ones to play a leading role in experimental design, sample size estimation, data QC, visualization, analysis, interpretation and documentation of genome-wide datasets.
• Performing and developing ad hoc analyses with customised and novel algorithms on experimental datasets obtained from novel ChIP-Seq, RNA-Seq, modified base and other genome sequencing methodologies. This encompasses, for example, expected outcome simulation, signal normalization, data mining, enrichment detection and prediction of secondary structures.
• Managing research collaborations and independent projects.
• At the senior level, the applicant will be responsible for project management and leadership of our bioinformatics team. This will also involve mentoring junior staff and developing and maintaining the group's core computational infrastructure.

Applicants should have a PhD (or equivalent) in a computational discipline such as computer science, quantitative biology or similar and have experience in bioinformatics or computational biology/chemistry. Previous experience in analysing genomic datasets, especially NGS data, is highly desirable. For applicants at the senior level, at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience in a relevant domain is required. For academic candidates a consistent record of strong scientific publications is essential. We also welcome candidates with equivalent relevant industrial experience. The position requires good communication and teamwork skills and involves regular interactions with our research scientists and computational researchers. The successful candidate will be organized, with good time management and the ability to support multiple concurrent projects. Experience in project management would also be welcomed and is essential for appointment at the senior level.

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Requeriments :

• Doctorate Degree

Skills :

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• genomic
• Next Generation Sequencing

Areas :

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology

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Additional Info:
Location: Cambridge

Salary: £31,604 to £50,618 see advert text

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed on: 21st February 2018

Closes: 29th March 2018

Job Ref: SW14815

Research Associate (Computational Biologist) £31,604-£38,833

Senior Research Associate (Bioinformatician) £39,992-£50,618

The post is available immediately. See www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/balasubramanian-group and www.ch.cam.ac.uk/group/shankar for further information.

For queries regarding applying online for this post, please contact Jo Lockhart, PA to Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian, email: herchel-smith-pa@ch.cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/16675. This will take you to the role on the University’s Job Opportunities pages. There you will need to click on the 'Apply online' button and register an account with the University's Web Recruitment System (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 29th March 2018 and interviews are yet to be confirmed.

Please quote reference SW14815 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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