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Research Associate (Bioinformatician) Cardiff
Vacancy Reference Number: 19687BR
Closing Date: 28 Mar 2025
Salary: £40,497 - £45,413 per annum (Grade 6)
Address: UK DRI at Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN
Duration: This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1 April 2025 and fixed term until 31 March 2026.
Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.
UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University is one of six new Dementia Research Institute UK centres. We have an exciting opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced bioinformatician to join Dr Connor-Robson’s research group within the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University. Dr Connor-Robson’s lab centres on the use of cutting-edge induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to study the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases with particular focus on endocytic dysfunction. The group studies neurons, microglia and astrocytes models to translate the complex genetic landscape of Alzheimer’s disease into a better understanding of cellular and molecular changes that occur during disease. The lab's ultimate aim is to translate our findings into better drug targets and therapeutic strategies.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Research Associate to join the team. This person will work with transcriptomic and proteomic datasets from our novel Alzheimer’s disease patient-derived iPSC lines and use them to investigate disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic avenues. The project is a collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Sparc, with whom the successful candidate will work closely to help identify novel therapeutic targets. The successful candidate will work together with others in the lab to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease. They will be highly independent and will help drive the project to its fruitful completion.
Job Description
Job Purpose: To conduct research to understand the molecular mechanisms relating to the endocytic pathway in Alzheimer’s disease using novel transcriptomic and proteomic datasets from our unique patient-derived iPSC models. This project is in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Sparc, with whom you will work closely to develop the bioinformatics findings into potential therapeutic targets. You will contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publication of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Duties:
1. To conduct bioinformatics and functional genomics research on a range of biological data relevant to cellular dysfunction and molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease 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.
2. To work with novel transcriptomics and proteomic datasets to provide insight into cellular changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
3. To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
4. To attend and/or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
5. To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organization of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
6. To review and synthesize existing research literature around informatics relevant to Alzheimer’s disease.
7. To participate in School research activities.
8. 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.
Person Specification:
Essential Criteria:
Qualifications and Education:
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in bioinformatics, a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
1. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within Bioinformatics/Biostatistics, especially gene and protein expression/functional genomics.
2. Experience in using R, UNIX/Linux and/or Python scripting and the manipulation and analysis of large biological datasets in different data formats.
3. Knowledge of current status of research on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
4. Proven ability to publish in national/international journals or other research outputs.
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.
Communication and Team Working:
1. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
2. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
Other:
1. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
2. Proven ability to work without close supervision.
For further inquiries, contact Natalie Connor-Robson at connor-robsonnl@cardiff.ac.uk.
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