Data Research Assistant

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.

Neurodegenerative research spans various scales, from molecular to population levels and it benefits immensely from the rapidly evolving innovations in informatics and data science and the growing collation of omics and population level life-course data. The UK DRI holds the lead in identifying novel questions that can only be addressed with the inclusion of such innovations.

The UK DRI Core Informatics team serves as the core for the UK DRI national informatics programme. The team enhances data access, training, partnerships, and technical capacity for researchers, fostering data sharing and boosting data science capabilities. The team is currently based at UCL and interacts closely with the UK DRI UCL centre staff.

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual with work experience in a life science field to join our Core Informatics team. We seek someone who is excited and committed to tackling dementia through collaborative efforts across a dementia organisation that is committed to advancing dementia research.

You will participate in several stages of data life cycle management, such as processing, curating, managing, and submitting the large and diverse amounts of data generated and prioritised by research groups from across the UK DRI. The data that you will be working with will have a focus on the non-neuronal cells of the brain, known as glia, as well as exploring the interactions between the immune system and nervous system.

The post is available from 1 March 2025 and is funded by the UK DRI for one year in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin at ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Amonida Zadissa, UK DRI Associate Director of Informatics (amonida.zadissa at ukdri.ac.uk).

Application deadline: 23:59, Tuesday, 07 January 2025.

You will have a Master’s degree in a scientific or numerate field and familiarity with bioinformatics techniques and data curation. Practical experience with processing and analysis of large datasets, particularly next-generation sequencing, is essential as is an understanding of the UK DRI, an interest in its research work, and a commitment to supporting high quality research. Demonstrable programming skills in R and/or Python, excellent oral and written communication skills, and good interpersonal skills are also a requirement.

The post is graded as UCL Grade 6B with salary in the range £38,357 to £41,005 per annum including London Allowance.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

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