JOB SUMMARY FORM
Job Title: Statistician / Statistical Geneticist (Research Associate), Genetic Epidemiology Group
Department:
Health Sciences (secondary affiliation: Genetics)
Post Responsible To:
Dr xxxxxxxxxx
(Please attach an organisational chart)
Job Purpose:
Research Assistant (Grant xxxxxxxxx)
Principal Accountabilities (Responsibilities):
% Time
Background
The MRC funded cardiovascular genetic epidemiology research program is led by Dr
xxxxxxxx. It aims to identify genetic variants associated with blood pressure and related
cardiovascular phenotypes, using genome-wide and candidate region approaches.
Furthermore, it aims to develop new statistical approaches that underpin these studies,
including methods to model copy number variation and approaches to model circadian
variation. The program involves joint work within the Genetic Epidemiology group and also
with a range of collaborators.
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To provide analytical support to the applied studies that form the basis of the
cardiovascular genetic epidemiology research program led by Dr X. These studies
include population-based and family-based association studies, and both candidate
gene and genome-wide approaches. The postholder will employ appropriate analytical
approaches, such as error checking methods for genetic data, tag SNP selection and
haplotype analyses, variance components analyses for family data, computationally
efficient approaches for genome-wide studies and simulation-based methods.
45%
To develop, and to contribute to the development of, new methods for modelling data
from genetic epidemiology studies, in particular approaches relevant to the MRCfunded cardiovascular genetic epidemiology research program, such as methods to
model: circadian variation; copy number variation or; genome-wide SNP data.
45%

To develop, plan and undertake new methodological research or new applied research
projects. These projects will be agreed with the line manager and would generally be
expected to fall within the broad remit of the cardiovascular genetic epidemiology
research program led by Dr X (and would therefore be included within the % time
stated above for applied and methodological research);

Specific research activities: the post-holder will be expected to:
o liaise with collaborators in the University of Leicester and in other research
centres to ensure the smooth progression of applied and methodological
research projects (including taking a lead role in liaising with one or more
collaborators where agreed with line manager);
o prioritise tasks within agreed work schedules;
o plan for specific aspects of research: if given a particular hypothesis to
examine, plan for own contribution up to three months ahead, incorporating
issues such as resource availability, deadlines, project milestones and overall
research aims.
o adapt daily and weekly plans to accommodate new developments (recognising
that research is not always predictable);
o be flexible to the changing priorities of the research program;
o take responsibility for organisation of research resources;
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plan several months ahead to meet deadlines for journal publications and to
prepare abstracts and presentations for conferences;
organise data and results so that they are easily accessible to colleagues;
carefully monitor and check results;
write up research findings for publication and dissemination: this will include
taking primary responsibility for drafting some research papers, and
contributing as a junior partner to the authorship of other research papers.
write grant applications with assistance and advice (where agreed with line
manager) and to make specific contributions to the writing of grant applications;
advise other staff and students;
attend team meetings and other relevant meetings;
The post-holder will also be expected to:
o undertake direct supervision of PhD students where agreed with the line
manager;
o teach classes using a range of delivery methods;
o engage in relevant professional activities and in continuous professional
development; [teaching, supervision & CPD total 10%]
10%
Resources Managed / Facts and Figures:
The postholder will not be responsible for the supervision of other staff.
Internal and External Relationships:
Liaison with collaborators within and outside the University of Leicester
Planning and Organising:
The postholder will be required to effectively manage their time to deliver on the priorities of the project.
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Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience (Indicate which are essential and which are desirable):
Minimum Requirements for Teaching and Research Family Level 7:

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Technical, technology/engineering or scientific degree.
Full understanding of a broad and/or complex technical or scientific field.
For supervisory roles - supervisory/management experience and a qualification in
management of ONC or above.
Financial training to manage budgets where appropriate.
In possession of or working towards a professional qualification.
Additional Requirements for Job:
Essential
The successful candidate will normally have a PhD (or the equivalent in professional qualifications and
experience) in statistical genetics, medical statistics, statistics, mathematics, genetics or related
discipline *
The candidate should also be able to demonstrate:
 Experience or, at least, basic knowledge of epidemiological study design and data analysis;
 Good knowledge of STATA or R, or alternative statistical software; *
Desirable
Demonstration of one or more of the following would be desirable:
 Evidence of coherent research activity (such as involvement in successful grant applications and
publications); *
 Experience of statistical genetic analyses and basic knowledge of human genetics; *
 Experience of using databases relevant to human genetics (e.g. HapMap); *
 A working knowledge of UNIX as well as Windows operating systems;
 A track record of collaboration in epidemiological research or consultancy experience.
(*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview)
Skills, Abilities and Competencies (Indicate which are essential and which are desirable):
Minimum Requirements for Teaching and Research Family Level 7:


Well developed understanding of Health and Safety regulations and procedures.
Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem solving capability.
Additional Requirements for Job:
Essential
The candidate should also be able to demonstrate:
 Sound statistical skills; *
 Excellent written communication skills; *
 Excellent verbal communication skills;
 Basic programming skills in a higher computing language such as STATA or R
 Ability to work independently and also as part of a research team.
Desirable
Demonstration of one or more of the following would be desirable:
 Excellent computer programming skills including fluency in a high-level language (such as R)
and some knowledge of low-level languages, such as C; *
(*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview)
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Additional Information:
Signatures:
Job Holder*: ………………………………….……………………..
Date: ……………………………
Line Manager: ………………………………….……………………..
Date: ……………………………
* Only for instances when a job is being changed in consultation with the existing post holder.
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