Research Fellow in Bioinformatics

The successful candidate will be a highly productive, ambitious, and collaborative member of the Translational Ophthalmology Group led by Professor Imre Lengyel in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast. The position will contribute to internationally competitive research on the role of molecular changes associated with Down Syndrome and related dementias, as well as gene regulatory mechanisms underlying degenerative conditions in the brain, eye, heart, and vascular diseases.

The group employs high-throughput gene expression and epigenomics assays such as Single Cell genomics, ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq in human samples as well as models of diseases. The applicant will analyse resulting datasets using computational and systems biology approaches to generate comprehensive models of gene regulatory mechanisms underlying age-related degenerative processes.

The successful applicant will have responsibilities in independent research, supervision, planning, day-to-day lab management, collaborations, and outreach. The post is suited to a highly ambitious individual and is available for 1 year with the possibility of extension.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

1. Have or about to obtain* a PhD in Bioinformatics or Computational Biology (*must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment).
2. Have substantial relevant work experience to include:

• Programming skills in at least one of the following languages: R, Perl, Python or Shell scripting.
• Experience in analysing high throughput genomics data such as bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq
• Familiar with handling large genomic datasets and working in an HPC environment

3. Have at least one recent high-quality original research publication in a reputable peer-reviewed journal.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more on our website.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit our website.

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