Research Associate in Bioinformatics and Machine Learning

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 at Cardiff University.  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.

In this role, you 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.

We’d like to hear from you if you 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.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Valentina Escott-Price (escottpricev@cardiff.ac.uk)

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 01.11.2024 and fixed term until 30.09.2025, based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

Salary: £40,247 - £45,163 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.

Closing date: Sunday, 1 December 2024

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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