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- Tasks: Join us as a bioinformatician to analyse ecDNA evolution and develop innovative detection methods.
- Company: Be part of UCL's Cancer Institute, a leader in groundbreaking cancer research and treatment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days of holiday, a pension scheme, gym access, and more awesome perks!
- Why this job: Work in a vibrant team, contribute to impactful research, and grow your scientific career.
- Qualifications: You need experience in genomics data analysis and proficiency in C++, Python, or R.
- Other info: This position is initially for 2 years, with opportunities for collaboration and learning.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
About us
The 2007 opening of the Cancer Institute in the Paul O'Gorman Building heralded a new era in cancer research and medicine at UCL. The Institute is consolidating cancer research across the campus. It fosters links between basic cancer researchers across Biomedicine, and with the clinical activities of our partner Hospitals (University College London Hospitals including Queen Square, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the Royal Free Hospital). The Institute is a £40 million investment by UCL, The Wolfson Foundation, Children with Leukaemia and Atlantic Philanthropies. The overall grant income in 2007 was £37 million from the principal medical charities concerned with cancer (Cancer Research-UK (CR-UK); Leukaemia Research Fund), other charities including the Wellcome Trust, and from government agencies such as the Medical Research Council.
TRACERx is a UK-wide lung cancer evolution programme which started in 2014 and has to date recruited over 820 patients. It is the first longitudinal cancer genomics study that forms the first national UK consortium focused on deciphering cancer evolution over space and time. TRACERx involves multi-region sequence analyses of lung cancers (5000+ exomes and whole genomes in over 800 patients) from pre-invasive through to primary and metastatic disease setting, in order to understand cancer evolutionary life histories with detailed clinical annotation. The co-primary end points of the study are to investigate the relationship between intratumour heterogeneity and clinical outcomes, and to determine the impact of cancer therapies on intratumour heterogeneity. TRACERx has enabled additional analyses in the areas of immunology, circulating biomarkers, cancer cachexia and body composition, radiomics and tumour microenvironment. Future plans include tumour metabolic imaging and mass spectrometry metabolomics. TRACERx is supported by the excellent bioinformatics facilities already available in our Centre together with substantial investment in bioinformatics staff, data storage and computer processing power.
TRACERx has been highly successful, as of 2023 sequencing data from more than 400 patients have been fully analysed resulting in a flow of high-impact publications, including manuscripts in Nature, Cell, Science and New England Journal of Medicine.
PEACE is a pan cancer national research autopsy programme in which post-mortem sampling allows access to tissue from all sites of metastasis, and to date has recruited over 390 patients and performed over 240 autopsies. PEACE aims to investigate the biological processes underpinning metastatic disease, including genomic and metabolic drivers of tumour dissemination, and failure of the adaptive immune system.
The combination of both TRACERx and PEACE with patient co-recruitment has established an unprecedented resource of multi-regional matched primary and metastatic tissue, and therefore facilitates tissue- and blood-based analyses from diagnosis to death. This is the first national autopsy programme at such scale with a consortium of high calibre scientists and clinicians focussed on various projects relevant to metastasis and drug resistance.
eDyNAmiC is an international team of scientists with close collaborations tackling the challenges posed by extrachromosomal DNA in cancer. Supported by Cancer Grand Challenges, a global initiative addressing key issues in cancer research, it is funded by CRUK and the NIH. The team focuses on understanding ecDNA biology and developing new strategies to target its mechanisms in cancer.
About the role
We are seeking a collaborative and self-motivated bioinformatician post-doctoral fellow to work on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in a vibrant and highly collegiate environment. ecDNA are circular genomic structures that can drive ultra-high copy number amplification and correlate with poor clinical outcomes, yet their evolution, detection, and targeting remain largely unclear. This project aims to analyse ecDNA evolution over time using single-cell RNA/ATAC sequencing and to develop a ctDNA-based approach for detecting and monitoring ecDNA to support biomarker and treatment development.
The project will leverage existing whole genome sequencing data from multi-region matched primary and metastatic tumours from the TRACERx lung cancer evolution and PEACE research autopsy programmes and will be part of the eDyNAmiC Cancer Grand Challenge.
Prof. Mariam Jamal-Hanjani is Principal Investigator of the TRACERx study at UCL, and Chief Investigator of the PEACE study. The Jamal-Hanjani Lab is a multi-disciplinary group of passionate and determined individuals who will provide the successful candidate with a stimulating and conducive environment to participate and grow as a scientist. The research in the lab is conducted in close collaboration with local and international scientists and clinicians, especially across the TRACERx and PEACE consortia and the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence. These collaborative environments will provide the successful candidate with opportunities to learn from a large network of talented professionals.
The position will be available for 2 years in the first instance.
About you
The successful applicant should have a proven track record of publications, have previous experience with genomics data analysis, be fluent in at least one of the following programming languages: C++, Python or R, and will have strong skills in the field of genomics and desirably one or more of the following: tumour biology, ctDNA/ blood-based biomarkers, evolutionary biology, statistics and mathematics.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits:
- 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
For rewards and benefits at UCL please visit.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here.
Senior Research Fellow - Bioinformatics - Extrachromosomal DNA and tumour evolution Scientist employer: UCL
Contact Detail:
UCL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Fellow - Bioinformatics - Extrachromosomal DNA and tumour evolution Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of bioinformatics and cancer research. Attend relevant conferences, seminars, or workshops where you can meet researchers and clinicians involved in projects like TRACERx and PEACE. Building these connections can provide insights into the role and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and publications related to extrachromosomal DNA and tumour evolution. Being well-versed in current findings will not only enhance your understanding but also allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your programming skills by contributing to open-source projects or creating your own bioinformatics tools. Showcasing your ability to work with languages like Python, R, or C++ through practical examples can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your previous experience with genomics data analysis in detail. Be ready to explain specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will highlight your problem-solving skills and expertise in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Fellow - Bioinformatics - Extrachromosomal DNA and tumour evolution Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in bioinformatics, genomics data analysis, and any programming languages mentioned in the job description. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your enthusiasm for the role and the research being conducted at UCL. Mention specific projects like TRACERx and PEACE to show your understanding of their work.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role emphasises collaboration, include examples of past teamwork in research settings. Discuss how you contributed to group projects and what you learned from those experiences.
Showcase Your Publications: If you have a proven track record of publications, make sure to list them clearly in your application. Highlight any that are particularly relevant to cancer research or bioinformatics to strengthen your candidacy.
How to prepare for a job interview at UCL
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the latest findings in extrachromosomal DNA and tumour evolution. Be prepared to discuss how your previous work aligns with the ongoing projects at the Cancer Institute, especially those related to TRACERx and PEACE.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your proficiency in programming languages like C++, Python, or R during the interview. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used these skills in genomics data analysis or related fields.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working in a multi-disciplinary team, demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share experiences where you worked with diverse teams and how it contributed to successful outcomes in your research.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the lab's current projects, future directions, and the collaborative environment. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
