Group Leader - Parasites and Microbes, Hinxton

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Group Leader – Parasites and Microbes, Hinxton

Location: Hinxton, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

3e9f62ea77a0

Job Views:

5

Posted:

11.02.2025

Expiry Date:

28.03.2025

Job Description:

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

About the Role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Group Leader to join our Parasites and Microbes Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The vision for the programme over the coming decade is to pioneer a population-scale ecosystem genomic approach that advances our understanding of the critical roles that microbes play in human health and disease. We will achieve this through the integration of large-scale data sets from extensively sampled study sites/cohorts, in collaboration with strategic partners around the world.

As a Group Leader, you will have the opportunity to develop and lead an innovative and impactful research programme that addresses complex scientific challenges. Your research programme will leverage cutting-edge computational and experimental approaches to explore areas such as microbiology, virology, immunology, evolutionary biology, and related fields. Key focus areas may include population-scale data analysis, health outcomes, infection biomarkers, or disease mechanisms, incorporating advanced genomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and computational systems biology.

We are committed to providing the support and resources you need to succeed in this role, whether you are looking to build on existing experience or bring new perspectives to our team.

About You:

We seek a creative, collaborative and forward-thinking colleague to provide leadership in data science and to head a research team that addresses key questions using computational systems biology and complex data integration approaches.

Candidates with expertise in projects that integrate large scale datasets, of a wide range of data types, with theoretical or informatics methodologies are particularly encouraged to apply, especially if they have an interest in leveraging artificial intelligence to achieve breakthroughs in understanding pathogenesis and/or the impact of climate change on infectious diseases. Furthermore, experience in leading the design and development of complex data infrastructure would be advantageous.

While the position requires accomplishments in computational sciences, we also welcome candidates who integrate ‘dry’ computational work with ‘wet’ experimental approaches, as well as those with other areas of interest that complement our current research portfolio.

We particularly encourage women and underrepresented groups to apply, as part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific community. If you would like more information about the role and the benefits of working for the Wellcome Sanger Institute, please do reach out to us on (emailprotected)

Role Responsibilities:

The Parasites & Microbes Programme is seeking an outstanding visionary scientist to join our Core Faculty as a Group Leader 1, 2 or 3 within the Wellcome Sanger Institute Faculty model.

Group Leader 1 –

GL1 Faculty positions are designed to be a researcher’s first or second group leader role and are the equivalent of a Lecturer at a UK University or Assistant Professor at a US University. You are focused on developing new and complementary areas of research within a Programme, and at this level, you will have already contributed to research in an independent, original, and significant way with a strong trajectory and developing publication record. You should have an understanding of, and have contributed to the development and delivery of a coherent Programme strategy, and will have built up networks of research contacts and be proficient in presenting findings at conferences. Forward planning the work of your own group, including how you will mentor and motivate your line reports, is expected. These positions are eight year posts.

Group Leader 2 –

During the course of their tenure, these Faculty roles become the equivalent of an Associate Professor and are intended to provide opportunities to develop an internationally recognised research portfolio and will have a track record of scientific publication, evidence of external recognition and other outputs leading to scientific impact and advancement of your discipline nationally and/or internationally. You will be able to reflect on and influence the Programme strategy, contributing to its development and delivery, coherence and agility. You will be able to show effective management of a research team, including planning at a larger scale and higher level of complexity. This will include leading a team including providing support for the development, proactive mentoring and motivation of colleagues and line reports. These positions are for eight years with a promotional review during the sixth year.

Group Leader 3 –

GL3 Faculty positions are the equivalent of a Professor at a UK university or a Full Professor at a US University. These positions provide significant internal and external leadership, scientifically and are designed to oversee and develop Sanger’s long-term research strategy and play a central role in the development of the Institute’s five-year research plans. Our GL3 Faculty have an outstanding international research profile and reputation and are leaders of a major research field or group. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate strategic research leadership, making a significant contribution to the delivery, coherence and continuous development of the Programme to become a world-class research unit. You are used to collaborating with and contributing to peer review bodies/committees, professional organisations, learned societies, Government committees, etc and will be experienced in guiding a team including mentoring and motivation of colleagues and line reports with evidence of impact. These positions have a rolling tenure but have a review every six years.

Why Join Us?

Our Programme is composed of world-leading faculty groups that are supplemented by a cohort of associate and honorary faculty and international fellows bringing complementary expertise in a range of areas. The teams within the Parasites and Microbes Programme, alongside many gifted scientists and organisations worldwide, collaborate and create long term self-supporting networks that allow the delivery of cutting edge science with global relevance. The Programme has a strong history of translating research insights and establishing external partnerships to enable innovation and product development. In addition, the Programme has used its data to inform World Health Organisation disease control policies and the design of vaccines critical for reducing infant mortality.

We offer an interactive and collaborative environment where researchers thrive through collegial interactions across the campus and with our established international network.

You will have access to generous core funding and unique opportunities to generate and analyse data at scale, supported by state-of-the-art technology, exceptional research facilities, and dedicated office/lab space. The Institute’s outstanding scientific, IT, and management operations teams are here to ensure you can focus on advancing your research.

We are committed to fostering a supportive workplace where researchers are encouraged to grow and mentor their teams as well as encouraging work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and career progression for everyone, including:

• Family Friendly policies and flexible working options.
• Access to a robust mentorship programme to support your career development.
• Relocation assistance for you and your family, including comprehensive visa and immigration support.

Programme Support:

The programme harbours a dedicated operations team that works to deliver a backbone of operational support to our Parasites & Microbes Faculty. The multi-faceted operational team aims to enhance PaM science and maximise its future potential through providing a key interface with central Institute functions within Scientific Operations and the Management Operations teams. This includes supporting the governance, sample handling and processing at scale, providing analytical support and developments and ensuring compliance with national and international law. The team comprises sub-teams focusing on administration (including finance and compliance), sample receipt and wet lab operations, and informatics (bioinformatics and software development to support large-scale computational analysis). The collaborative nature of the group enables PaM scientists to deliver projects at unprecedented scales globally.

Application Process:

Applications should be accompanied by:

• Curriculum vitae, a complete list of publications and details of three referees
• A two-page cover letter summarising your scientific and leadership achievements to date, your contribution to the wider research community and society, you may wish to include diversity and inclusion initiatives and public engagement events
• Which Faculty level you wish to be considered for and why
• A three-page outline of your future research plans indicating how these fit with the Parasites and Microbes Programme, and the wider Institute. This should include how access to genomics at scale would transform your science. Please include a short abstract at the start of this document (no more than 250 words) summarising your plans.
• Please upload all documentation with your application.

Your application will be reviewed and considered across GL1, GL2 and GL3 faculty levels focusing on your scientific achievement, experience, and personal suitability in line with our core behavioural competencies; collaboration, communication, leadership, integrity, results-driven, and innovation.

Interview format:

We understand that balancing career opportunities with personal commitments can be challenging. Our interview process is designed to be as supportive as possible, with opportunities to meet key team members, discuss relocation, and ask questions. We aim to give you a full picture of what it’s like to work with us and ensure you feel empowered to succeed.

• Pre-Meets – you will be invited to attend Pre-Meets with representatives from our Director’s office, Parasites and Microbes Programme, Scientific Operations, and Visa and Immigration teams. This will be an opportunity for you to find out more about our science, what it is like to work at Sanger and also to discuss relocating to Cambridge/the UK (if applicable).

• Talks – A talk on your past research which will be open to everyone in the Institute to attend. A talk on your future research which will be given to a select committee of representatives from across the Parasites and Microbes Programme, Director’s Office, HR and our Group Leaders from across our Scientific Programmes.

• Interview – A panel interview that will focus on our Behavioural Competency Framework. The interview panel will have representatives from across the Institute.

Talks and Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 21st and 28th April 2025

• Stage 2 – 1:1s – After your interview, if your application is progressed you will be invited to attend 1:1 chats with stakeholders including our Group Leaders and Associate Faculty.

For further details about the opportunity, please visit: Link to booklet

Positions carry a significant core package of salaries and support, which are backed by rewarding and flexible employment terms including excellent benefits and relocation support.

We provide expert in-house advice and guidance on travel and relocation to the UK and beyond. From your initial visa application to extensions and applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain, our dedicated Immigration Team is here to support both your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members. As part of the Institute, this team is committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient process throughout your visa journey. For more details on the immigration support available, please visit: Global Mobility and Immigration Service.

Closing Date: 23rd March 2025

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.#J-18808-Ljbffr