- Job Title
- Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Metagenome Bioinformatics)
- Post Number
- 1003980
- Closing Date
- 28 Feb 2021
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- £32,255 - £39,345
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Improved algorithms for metagenomics
- Expected/Ideal Start Date
- 03 May 2021
- Months Duration
- 36
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
We are looking for an individual with a high-level of quantitative skills to develop novel algorithms for analysing metagenomics data. The study of microbiomes has revolutionised our understanding of the microbial world but tools capable of extracting individual genomes from complex communities are still lacking. Methods for genome binning can use shared features of contigs from metagenome assemblies to generate species bins but these will be composites of multiple closely related organisms. Instead we will develop methods that work directly on assembly graphs, exploit a combination of novel sequencing technologies, correlations in time series, and recent algorithmic developments to resolve genomes to the strain level. We will also explore the incorporation of Hi-C and single cell data to enable plasmids to be linked to genomes. The ideal candidate would combine a knowledge of metagenomics assembly, Bayesian modelling and software development but excellence in any of these areas would be sufficient.
Key Relationships
Internal: Dr Christopher Quince and additional group members to be recruited.
External: Collaborators, funders, scientists in UK and international academia.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Develop novel algorithms for metagenomics strain resolution.
- Maintain and create software pipelines for metagenome analysis.
- Incorporate long reads and other novel technologies into metagenomics assembly and binning.
- Collaborate with colleagues within and outside the Institute to apply these methods to metagenome studies.
- Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the bioinformatics literature applied to metagenomics.
- Disseminate research findings through attendance at international conferences.
- Regularly publish results as manuscripts in leading scientific journals or through over relevant media.
- As agreed with line manager, any other duties relevant to and commensurate with the nature of the role.
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- PhD in bioinformatics or statistics or related subject area with strong element of statistical modelling
- Essential
- First degree in any area of science
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Knowledge of software programming in at least one language e.g. R, Python, C/C++
- Essential
- Understanding of basic statistics
- Essential
- Bayesian probability
- Desirable
- Experience with genome/metagenome assembly
- Desirable
- Command line bioinformatics in Linux and shell
- Desirable
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Proven record in scientific writing
- Essential
- Experience of oral research presentations
- Essential
- Preparing data / information for grant proposals
- Desirable
- Experience developing software for genomics or metagenomics
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Excellent communication skills both written and oral
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
- Essential
- Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures
- Essential
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- Attention to detail
- Essential
- Promotes equality and values diversity
- Essential
- Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute
- Essential
- Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work
- Essential
- Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
- Essential
Who We Are
Earlham Institute
Earlham Institute is a vibrant, contemporary research institute and registered charity, working in an area of rapid technological development and innovation.
Earlham Institute is strategically funded by the BBSRC to lead the development of a skill base in bioinformatics and a genomics technology platform for UK bioscience. The Institute is located on the Norwich Research Park, together with its partners: the John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research, The Sainsbury Laboratory, the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The research park has an excellent reputation for research in plant and microbial sciences, interdisciplinary environmental science and food, diet and health, to which Earlham Institute contributes strengths in genomics and bioinformatics. Close links exist between the NRP partners and new opportunities for collaboration in exciting new initiatives are under development. The NRP recently received £26M of government investment to facilitate innovation and further develop infrastructure to attract science and technology companies to the Park to enhance the vibrant environment and realise economic impact from research investment.
Earlham Institute is a UK hub for innovative Bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of multiple, complex data sets. It hosts one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe. This has been boosted recently by an e-Infrastructure grant to expand the data storage capacity to a multi-petabyte unit, deploying a high performance cluster and large-memory server enabling the allocation of processes requiring several terabytes of computing memory.
Earlham Institute’s state of the art DNA sequencing facility operates multiple complementary technologies for data generation that provide the foundation for analyses furthering our fundamental understanding of genomes and how they function. We aim to be at the forefront of technological advances and are developing and implementing technologies to generate and analyse new types of data. We also develop novel platforms to provide access to computational tools and processing capacity for multiple academic and industrial users and promoting applications of computational bioscience. Earlham Institute has one fully owned subsidiary, Genome Enterprise Ltd (GEL) via which it offers genomic and bioinformatics services on a trading basis and works with commercial providers on a partnership basis. Earlham Institute also receives specific funding to enable knowledge exchange programmes which are supported across the institute teams.
Department
Organisms and Ecosystems
Group Details
Dr Quince's group focusses on bioinformatics and experimental methods for microbial community analysis. Combining statistical bioinformatics for problems such as strain resolution, and integrating multiple sources of 'omics data with technological developments in sequencing. These methods are applied to both simple bench top experiments with microbial communities and large scale 'omics studies. These studies span a range of environment from host associated to biotechnology applications.
Management and Leadership
- Requirement
- Importance
- Experience managing junior group members, students etc.
- Desirable
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Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Metagenome Bioinformatics)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Quince in the Organisms and Ecosystems Programme at the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Quince group focusses on both theoretical and experimental methods for microbial community analysis. Combining statistical bioinformatics with technological developments in sequencing and ‘omics data generation to address problems such as metagenome strain resolution and trait inference. These methods are applied to both simple bench top experiments with microbial communities and large scale 'omics studies. These studies span a range of environments from host associated to biotechnology applications.
The role:
We are looking for an individual with a high-level of quantitative skills to join a project resolving strain genomes from metagenomes. The study of microbiomes has revolutionised our understanding of the microbial world but tools capable of extracting individual genomes from complex communities are still lacking. Methods for genome binning can use shared features of contigs from metagenome assemblies to generate species bins but these will be composites of multiple closely related organisms. Instead, we will develop methods that work directly on assembly graphs, exploit a combination of novel sequencing technologies, correlations in time series, and recent algorithmic developments to resolve genomes to the strain level.
The ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate would combine a knowledge of metagenomics assembly, Bayesian statistics and software development but excellence in any of these areas would be sufficient. You will have a PhD in bioinformatics or statistics or related subject area with a strong element of statistical modelling. Knowledge of software programming in at least one language e.g. R, Python, C/C++ is essential.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £32,255 to £39,345 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 3 years.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.
The closing date for applications will be 28 February 2021.