Research Associate (Bioinformatics and Psychiatric Genetics)

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics in the Division of Psychological Medicine. This post is funded by a prestigious 8‑year Wellcome Trust Career Development Award held by Dr Samuel Chawner entitled “Characterising the clinical heterogeneity and aetiology of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)”. This is an exciting opportunity for a research associate to work in the emerging field of ARFID genetic epidemiology—a disorder that has been historically under‑researched. The project involves working with leading international academic experts, clinicians, charities and policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the genetic epidemiology of ARFID using large‑scale population cohorts.
• Contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by producing measurable outputs, including publishing in academic journals and presenting at international conferences.
• Build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, influencing decisions, exploring future research requirements, and sharing research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or near completion/submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
• Established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields: Psychiatric Genetic Epidemiology, Bioinformatics.
• Proven ability to publish in national/international journals and/or other research outputs.

This post is based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), a local pension scheme, a cycle‑to‑work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges, and a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date: Monday, 2 February 2026.

How we will support you in performing in this role:

• Regular one‑to‑ones with your manager.
• An experienced and supportive team around you.
• Supporting you through job‑relevant training and development that you may require.
• A mentoring scheme.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Samuel Chawner: ChawnerSJ@cardiff.ac.uk

Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at the bottom of the scale unless in exceptional circumstances. This post is full‑time (35 hours per week), available from 1 March 2026 and fixed term until 28 February 2029.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job‑share arrangements. Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published.