MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2530

View Vacancy — MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2530 Open Date 13/12/2024, 10:00 Close Date 12/01/2025, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences Research Institute / Unit Information The LMS is a world-class research laboratory where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. Funded by the MRC as part of UK Research and Innovation , the LMS has a collaborative working culture and new state-of-the-art building based in the heart of West London in the Hammersmith Hospital Campus (W12). The LMS aims to deliver transdisciplinary team science, in synergistic interaction with Imperial College and the wider national research environment. Part of achieving this, is to recruit new talent and support postdoctoral scientists to become world leaders in their area of science. UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org Band MRC – 4 Location London Salary £40,832 plus London allowances (£5,385) per annum Allowances Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, paid in monthly instalments. The Training Allowance increases to £1,300 in year two, and £1,800 in the third year. Contract Type Fixed Term Job Type Science Full Time / Part Time Full Time Contract Length 3 years Job Description Overall purpose: Applications are invited for a talented postdoctoral computational biologist / bioinformatician to join the Cardiovascular Genomics and Precision Medicine Group, led by Professor James Ware. We are looking for a highly motivated and creative postdoc interested in joining our friendly international team, which spans the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) at Imperial College London, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Our research aims to understand the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease, particularly inherited cardiomyopathies, and to extract clinically useful information from the genome for application in patient care. Cardiomyopathies are an important health problem, as a leading cause of sudden death in young adults, and the commonest indication for heart transplantation. The post-holder will be embedded in a well-established bioinformatics team and will be responsible for new projects to understand the genetic architecture of inherited heart diseases, and to evaluate genomic biomarkers for prognostic and therapeutic stratification. Traditionally understood as monogenic disorders, a substantial proportion of cardiomyopathy cases remain genetically unexplained under this paradigm. Our recent work identifies more complex architectures, and we are studying the interactions between common variants, rare variants, and the environment (selected recent papers at https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/j.ware/publications ). The successful applicant will lead analyses of unique genomic data (whole exome/genome) from recently collected cohorts, alongside the UK Biobank and other large-scale population data, that together provide an outstanding opportunity to understand the genetic basis of inherited cardiac conditions. In this post you will initially focus on analyses of dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathy, identifying common & rare variant associations with disease, and searching for genetic modifiers of penetrance and expressivity that will both identify therapeutic targets and provide biomarkers for patient stratification. In collaboration with Prof O’Regan’s team we will integrate genomic biomarkers with cardiac imaging data, and develop machine learning models for risk prediction This work is highly collaborative, and the successful applicant will interact with a global network of leading researchers bringing diverse skills and perspectives to these challenges. The postdoctoral research scientist will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to attract external research funding. For more information on current research directions, see our groups webpages at https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/research/cardiovascular-genomics-precision-medicine/ and/or Prof Ware’s University Profile: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/j.ware There is further information about current and previous team members, and a news feed, at www.cvgenetics.org . Key skills: Background in computational biology and human genetics Experience of handling large sequencing datasets and performing statistical analysis Experience of statistical approaches for rare and/or complex disease genetics, including GWAS and/or RVAS Experience with genomic research environments, such as Genomics England or UK Biobank Excellent programming skills in R and Python Knowledge of HPC environments, Git and Docker an advantage Main Responsibilities: To lead analyses to understand the genetic architecture of cardiomyopathies To manage large datasets To develop innovative solutions to sequencing data analysis To develop & manage reproducible analysis pipelines using Git and Docker To collaborate closely with other members of the team and external partners on various projects To prepare work for publication and grant submissions To present at seminars and conferences as necessary To co-supervise MSc and PhD students Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s/Unit’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required To comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division Person Specification Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form): Essential: PhD (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a Biological/Medical field including Genetics or a closely related discipline Desirable: Bachelor’s degree and Masters (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a biological/medical science degree including genetics Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview): Essential: Experience in computational biology / bioinformatics Evidence of proficiency in statistical genetics Experience planning and completing independent research projects At least one of the following: Expertise in human genetics Expertise in genomics Experience in analysis of next generation sequencing data Excellent written communication skills in English and the ability to write clearly for publication Desirable: Experience in cardiovascular biology / cardiomyopathies Experience in variant interpretation Knowledge of databases and resources for variant annotation Track record of software development and package creation Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview): Essential: Ability to conduct reproducible research Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature Ability to develop and apply new concepts Creative approach to problem-solving Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high standard of work Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines Advanced computer skills Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative Flexible attitude towards work Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role Further Information Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2530. This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. We will also reimburse the cost of visa application (terms and conditions apply). Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more – Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As “Disability Confident” employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.