Main Purpose of the Job

As part of the Cellular Genomics Institute Strategic Programme (ISP), the role will engage with primary research. The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will be working closely with molecular biologists to focus on the analysis of long and short read data arising from single cell sequencing with the aim of characterising the impact of cellular heterogeneity (somatic mutations, different cell types) on gene and transcript regulation in mouse and human.

The post holder will lead on the development of analytical pipeline to handle in a reproducible manner existing data as well as data generated as part of the project. The post holder will also lead on the analysis, preparation, and submission of the associated manuscripts.

The successful candidate will be required to work with relevant EI staff and with outside collaborators to carry out necessary research to meet key deliverables for the project. They may also act as a key technical resource to clarify issues, participate in analysis, and apply comprehensive knowledge to contribute to the completion of assignments as part of several research projects.
 

Key Relationships

Internal: Group leaders at EI, EI’s Director and Senior Management Team. EI’s Science Faculty groups, and in particular with Dr Iain Macaulay, Dr Edyta Wojtowicz, Dr Conrad Nieduszynski. Cellular Genomics Programme Manager, NBRI and communications and training teams.

External: Collaborators, visitors to EI, collaborators such Oxford University, Oxford Nanopore, Pacific Bioscience.

BBSRC officers, academic and industrial stakeholders
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Develop analytical pipelines for the reproducible handling and analysis of single cell sequencing data.

70

Actively engage with the technical and biological questions in the field of single-cell genomics relating to and beyond the project, particularly to the Cellular Genomics ISP.

10

Act as a key technical resource to clarify issues, participate in analysis, and apply comprehensive knowledge to contribute to the completion of assignments as part of several research projects.

5

Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements.

5

Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media. Disseminate research findings though presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings.

5

Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications.

5

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology or related subject with experience of working on genomics and transcriptomics data and bioinformatics

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to solve problems with numerous and complex variables

Essential

Demonstrated skills in at least one of the following programming languages: Python, Perl, R

Essential

Pertinent experience in Linux and in shell scripting

Essential

Solid understanding of statistics for biology

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of working on externally funded projects

Essential

Experience of transcriptomics, genomics analyses

Essential

Experience with next generation sequencing (RNA-Seq, DNA-Seq) and large-scale data analysis

Essential

Experience with long read sequencing

Desirable

Experience in comparative genomics analyses

Desirable

Experience in single cell data analysis

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

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 work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Wilfried Haerty in the Research Faculty of the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

During the lifetime of an organism individual cells will acquire both programmed and spontaneous mutations. Most studies have so far focused on the implications of those events in diseases such as cancer, however such events also occur during normal development and can be part of the response to environmental stress or adaptation. The rapid development of single cell approaches now enable the characterisation of the functional implications of cellular heterogeneity.

As part of the Institute Strategic Programme Cellular Genomics, a highly collaborative project bringing together molecular biologists, computational biologists, and computer scientists, we are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious Postdoctoral Research Scientist to undertake computational analysis of the functional implications of cellular heterogeneity in systems such as mouse and human cell lines.

The role:

The successful candidate will investigate the implication of ploidy variation on gene and transcript expression during cellular differentiation in both in-vitro and in-vivo models through the analysis of short and long read sequencing single cell data. To achieve this, the candidate will develop computational pipelines to reproducibly handle both publicly and newly produced single cell data (genome, transcriptome, epigenome) to enable their integrations and interpretation.

The project is led by Dr Wilfried Haerty, and the successful candidate will work closely with groups across EI (Dr Iain Macaulay, Dr Edyta Wojtowicz, Dr Conrad Nieduszynski) and with external collaborators.

At EI, the post holder will have access to cutting-edge high performance computing facilities and expertise. They will join an active community of experimental and computational biologists working on a wide range of cellular genomics and single-cell analyses. They will have the opportunity to contribute to other projects and the overall development and implementation of single-cell genomic approaches at EI.

The ideal candidate:

The successful applicant will have a PhD in bioinformatics, computational genomics or a related subject. They will have significant experience working with genomic/epigenomic/transcriptomic data, and experience with single-cell genomics analysis. The candidate should have a demonstrable working knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Perl, or R. it is advantageous if the post holder has experience with long read sequencing.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 24 months.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

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 29 November 2024.