Main Purpose of the Job

We are seeking to recruit a motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist for a position in the Papatheodorou Research Group at the Ealrham Institute.

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will be working closely with other bioinformaticians and molecular biologists to focus on the development of AI models to analyse disease trajectories in Crohn's Disease patients. Additionally, they will develop computational strategies to analyse and visualize large-scale, single-cell multi-omics and spatial data from internal and publicly available datasets to enable atlas building, cell type annotation and cross tissue comparisons.

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

Key Relationships

INTERNAL: Reporting to the Head of Data Science. This role will also work closely with the members the
Data Science group, the will work with the wider Research Faculty leaders and researchers and
Programme Manager of the Cellular Genomics Strategic Programme.
EXTERNAL: UK and international scientists, especially the groups of Mark Arends at University of Edinburgh, Evangelia Petsalaki, EMBL-EBI and David Adams (Welcome Sanger Institute)

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Develop integration strategies for building and annotating disease cell atlases from single cell and spatial
data.

40

Develop AI models to analyse the trajectories of Crohn's Disease at the cellular level.

40

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 line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology or related subject

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

Solid understanding of statistics for biology

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience with single cell RNA-Seq and spatial transcriptomics experiments

Essential

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

Essential

Experience with machine learning and AI applications

Essential

Experience with spatial transcriptomics data analysis

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

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

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

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

Essential

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

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 Earlham Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work.

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

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.

We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Scientist for a position in the Papatheodorou Research Group at the Earlham Institute (EI).

The post-holder will be part of a wider consortium based in both Hinxton, Cambridge (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and EMBL-EBI) and Edinburgh (University of Edinburgh, Heriott-Watt University and NHS Lothian, Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine).

Background:

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 role:

The aims of the project are:

1. Perform analyses of the scRNA-Seq data to reveal cell-types, subtypes/states and transition trajectories within the spatial organisation of the normal gut. 
2. Develop tools to analytically combine scRNA-Seq and images from histology sections, as well as spatial transcriptomics.
3. Perform bioinformatic investigations to understand the pathogenesis and progression of Crohn’s Disease.

This is a 2 year post fully funded by The Helmsley Charitable Trust. The post holder will contribute to the Gut Cell Atlas – normal and Crohn’s Disease research programme, which aims to combine single cell transcriptomics data from patient derived samples (normal and Crohn’s Disease) with advanced image-based 2-D and 3-D gut atlas data.

The research programme team also forms part of a growing research network of Helmsley-funded Human Gut Cell Atlas (normal and Crohn’s Disease) research groups worldwide. The main aim of the position is to work in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment to make advances in Crohn’s Disease research.

The successful candidate will establish good working relationships with the co-applicants (Mark Arends, Shahida Din, Richard Baldock, Albert Burger, David Adams, of Lothian Health Board, University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute). They will be expected to visit Edinburgh several times each year to collaborate with the Edinburgh team members on integration of data of all types from the project.

You will work closely with our experimental collaborators in Edinburgh, but the approaches you will develop will also be extended to other similar data sets. Your methods will directly contribute to the analysis pipelines of the Earlham Institute’s core open workflows and computational tools.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will have PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology or related subject with experience of working on single cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics data. They will have a solid understanding of statistics of biology and it is advantageous if they have experience with long read sequencing.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 - £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 6 January 2025.