Job Description
Post Title:
Research Associate in Bioinformatics
Section:
Haematology
Division:
Experimental Medicine
Department:
Medicine
Job Family and Level:
Academic and Research Level B
Salary Range:
£27,400 - £34,820 per annum
Responsible To:
Professor Irene Roberts, Professor Anastasios
Karadimitris, Professor Tim Aitman
Works closely with:
Members of the Roberts/Karadimitris Lab
Members of the Physiological Genomics and
Medicine Group
Location:
Hammersmith campus
Duration:
30 months
Job Summary
The postholder will work closely with clinicians and scientists of the
Roberts/Karadimitris Lab and bioinformaticians from the Physiological Genomics
and
Medicine
(PGM)
Group
(http://www.csc.mrc.ac.uk/Research/Groups/GMC/PhysiologicalGenomicsMedicine/),
headed by Professor Tim Aitman, as well as other research groups across the
Imperial College Faculty of Medicine who are engaged in research into the genetic
and epigenetic basis of
haematological diseases, including leukaemia and
lymphoma.
The Roberts/Karadimitris lab studies cellular and molecular mechanisms of normal
and malignant haemopoiesis. This 30 month post is funded by the charity ‘Children
with Cancer’ to investigate the genetic and epigenetic determinants of progression of
non-leukaemic to pre-leukaemic and overtly malignant haemopoiesis.
The post holder will analyse and interpret data generated with the latest nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) technologies including: the HiSeq2000 and Genome
Analyser II (Illumina) and GS Junior (Roche) platforms, located in the AHSC
Molecular Pathology and MRC Genomics laboratories on the Hammersmith Hospital
Campus (genomics.csc.mrc.ac.uk/), as well as data generated on the Ion Torrent
(ABI) platform at the Molecular Pathology Laboratory of the Hammersmith Campus.
Key Responsibilities:
The post holder will lead on curating and analysing large genomic datasets from
RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq experiments that will provide insights into the genetic and
epigenetic determinants of human normal and malignant haemopoiesis. Activities will
include: mapping and annotation of genome sequence data; relevant statistical and
secondary data analyses to identify and validate intersects of gene lists, gene
ontology terms, gene set enrichment analysis and gene interaction networks using
relevant software. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the
scientific and bioinformatics teams within the Physiological Genomics and Medicine
Group. The post holder will report to Professor I Roberts and Professor A
Karadimitris and will work on this project with staff from Imperial College and the
Clinical Sciences Centre, including those in the Imperial Molecular Pathology
Laboratory, the CSC Genomics Core Laboratory and collaborators elsewhere in
Imperial College. The ability to make strategic contributions to experimental design
and to work as part of a team and on a one-to-one basis, are key requirements of the
post.
The projects to be carried out whilst funded in this position are in a highly competitive
field and will demand a high degree of commitment. The successful candidate will be
expected to take an active part in the academic activities of the Centre for
Haematology and the Imperial College and CSC laboratories, including contributing
to journal club and seminar presentations. The post holder is expected to have the
opportunity to present at national and international meetings.
Research Duties
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To take initiatives in the planning of research
To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection
and analysis of data
To conduct data analysis
To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
To write reports for submission to research sponsors
To present findings to colleagues and at conferences
To submit publications to refereed journals
To provide guidance to staff and students
To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the
wider community
To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College
To provide guidance to PhD Students
Contribute to bids for research grants To conduct and plan own scientific work
with appropriate supervision.
To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental Work.
To actively participate in the research programme of the Group and Unit
To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and
international meetings.
To participate in Group/Unit research meetings and internal seminars.
Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the
requirements of the project demand.
To collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and
elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate.
Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research
students and research assistants as required.
To comply with the 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/Department/Section.
Other Duties
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To undertake appropriate administration tasks
To attend relevant meetings
To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations,
Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and
Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual
Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies
To undertake any necessary training and/or development
Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by
line manager / supervisor
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required
to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies
and regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out
in our Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice
frameworks.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
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A PhD in Bioinformatics or related field, or equivalent research, industrial or
commercial experience
Desirable
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A BSc or MSc in a biological science
Knowledge / Experience
Essential
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Proven research in Bioinformatics
Knowledge of Bioinformatics methodology for analysis and interpretation of
genome wide datasets
Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures
Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in
relevant and refereed journals
Skills and Abilities
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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 and the ability to deal with a wide range
of people
Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and
succinctly for publication
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, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the
Internet
Personal Attributes
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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
Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to
conduct research and attend conferences
Application Guidance
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your
application, how much you feel you meet each of the criteria. If you need more
space, please attach additional sheets to the application form.
The recruitment monitoring section of your application will be detached and will be
used only for monitoring and audit purposes as a basis for supporting our
commitment to Equal Opportunities.
An application form and full CV quoting reference number HM2012010-a should be
sent, by the closing date of 29 February 2012, online via the Imperial College
iRecruitment website.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.