Research Fellow (Sequencing Bioinformatics)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to September 2025

Background

We seek to recruit a full-time postdoctoral-level Research Fellow in Sequencing Bioinformatics to work in the laboratory of Professor Nick Loman on an exciting Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award dedicated to putting genomic surveillance at the heart of outbreak response. Working with an interdisciplinary team of microbiologists, epidemiologists, molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, evolutionary biologists and software engineers, we are creating an integrated approach to the rapid, and robust generation of sequencing information to inform outbreak response. We will build on previous experiences responding to viral outbreaks including Ebola, Zika and Yellow Fever and COVID-19 to develop a 21^st century approach to outbreak response.

The Research Fellow in Sequencing Bioinformatics will focus primarily on the development of new methods for real-time generation and analysis of sequencing data. The developer will take responsibility for developing existing open-source projects including the Primal Scheme (primalscheme.org) webserver and the ARTIC bioinformatics pipeline, as well as developing new bioinformatics methods, algorithms, software and/or pipelines in support of the project goals.  The project will offer ample opportunity for authoring primary bioinformatics research outputs and support for further career development in academia. Travel opportunities will be available for those wishing to engage in training and research activities: particularly in Africa, although travel is not obligatory for this post.

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline: 

• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research 
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present findings in high quality publications and conference proceedings
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications
• Experience in scientific writing and data presentation and a track record of disseminating research findings to scientific audiences and through peer reviewed journals
• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously including a track record of managing large volumes of data

Informal enquiries can be made to  Professor Nick Loman, email: n.j.loman@bham.ac.uk or Hannah Willmott, email: h.j.willmott@bham.ac.uk.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 30/01/2025

Advert information