Job Description
Overall purpose:
A new opportunity has arisen for a Research Technician in the Cardiovascular Genomics and Precision Medicine group headed by Prof. James Ware.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
- Assist in managing, curating, and analyzing our extensive datasets, including targeted, whole-exome (WES), and whole genome (WGS) data, ensuring quality control and compliance with data governance
- Support the management of data storage, integrity, and access
- Help develop and implement pipelines for variant calling across various datasets
- Ensure the validity and reliability of data and methods
- Maintain accurate and complete records of analysis projects
- Identify and develop suitable techniques for the analysis and visualization of data, and assist in building and maintaining the associated computational resources (software packages, databases, or web-based analysis and visualization tools)
- Assist in maintaining group resources, including web tools and pages
- Support research led by other group members by providing advice and guidance on project design and data analysis
- Contribute to publishing data and software tools, ensuring reproducibility
- Participate actively in the group’s academic activities, including group meetings, journal clubs, training, and organizational aspects
- Engage in the academic activities of the LMS and the NHLI, including journal clubs and seminar presentations
The appointee will:
- Conduct research as part of the group’s core program
- Take an active part in the academic activities of the Group including group meetings, group journal clubs, training and organisational aspects
This is an MRC funded and laboratory-based position to support other scientists in early or changed career training and to help establish them as successful research scientists in their chosen field. We offer a highly attractive benefits package including competitive salary and excellent holiday entitlement.
Working relationships:
The post-holder will report directly to James Ware with dotted line management responsibilities under Pantazis Theotokis. The post-holder will also work closely with all members of Research Technician in the Cardiovascular Genomics and Precision Medicine group.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):
Essential:
- BSc (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or another relevant discipline
Desirable:
- MSc or MRes in Bioinformatics or a related discipline
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
- Experience in computational biology / bioinformatics
- Experience planning and completing research projects
- Basic understanding of human genetics
- Experience in the analysis of human next-generation sequencing data, including development of alignment, variant calling, and variant annotation pipelines, and downstream analyses
Desirable:
- Background in cardiovascular biology
- Evidence of proficiency in a general programming language
- Experience and proficiency in R
- Previous experience handling large datasets
- Familiarity with HPC environments, Linux, Docker, and GitHub
Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
- Knowledge and understanding of basic bioinformatic tools
- Keen interest in developing new skills in computational biology and genomics
- Knowledge of data analysis techniques and statistical methods
- Good written communication skills in English
Desirable:
- Knowledge of statistical methods in molecular biology
Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at interview):
Essential:
- Good verbal communication skills in English
- High level of motivation and drive
- Evidence of ability to organise and conduct complex research projects
- Ability to work effectively with researchers from different fields (computer scientists to experimental biologists) ranging from postgraduate students to professorial level
- Ability to work independently, organizing own work with minimal supervision
- Ability to work as part of a team, and to be open-minded and cooperative
- Creative approach to problem-solving
- Ability and eagerness to learn new concepts and acquire new skills in biology and computing, and to seek novel and creative solutions to scientific problems
- Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
- Attention to detail
- Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security
- Flexible attitude towards work
Further Information
Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a covering 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). Please quote reference number LMS 2521.
Applications without a supporting covering letter will not be considered.
