Senior Research Associate Cancer Genetic Epidemiology

The role

A Senior Research Associate in cancer genetic epidemiology within a multi-institutional grant (University of Bristol, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), the Icelandic Heart Association (IHA) and Trinity College Dublin) funded by the World Cancer Research Fund (Principal Investigator Emma Allott, QUB).  The post is based at Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol.

What will you be doing?

The role holder will undertake a genome wide association study (GWAS) of peri-prostatic fat volume (the amount of fat that surrounds the prostate gland) that has been calculated by the team in Dublin from MRI scans in the UK Biobank Study and from CT scans in the IHA study. The role holder will use the results of the GWAS to generate robust genetic instruments for peri-prostatic fat volume that will be used in a Mendelian randomization framework to estimate the causal effects of peri-prostatic fat volume on prostate cancer risk.

The role holder will present findings at scientific conferences, participate in workshops and collaborate with other researchers engaged on the WCRF-funded grant, as well as other colleagues working in cancer epidemiology. There will be some educational activities, for example the delivery of teaching on short courses and undergraduate programmes, as well as excellent training and career development opportunities.

You should apply if

You have a relevant postgraduate research degree, i.e. PhD (or working towards), in genetic epidemiology, epidemiology or a relevant field or equivalent professional experience, with a good understanding of genetic epidemiological concepts and population health science, together with expertise in the use of R for data handling and statistical analysis.

You have experience of working with genetic data, genome wide association studies, Mendelian randomisation and genetic colocalistion, and some knowledge of human genetics.

Additional information

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/03/2026

For informal queries please contact:

Prof Richard Martin; Richard.martin@bristol.ac.uk

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