Principal Bioinformatician - Juno project

This job has now expired please search on the home page to find live IT Jobs.

Salary range £44,159 - £ 53,432 (dependent on experience)

Fixed term for 3 years

We are looking to recruit a Principal Bioinformatician to join a major international research project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, that aims to sequence and analyse the genomes of a large collection of Streptococcus agalactiae samples to inform global disease prevention strategies.

We are seeking to appoint a talented and motivated individual with a strong track record and a strong interest in the application of genomic data to study pathogen biology and evolution. Ideally you would have a significant experience in statistical genetics, microbial genomics, computational biology, or a related discipline, with a demonstrated expertise in applying a broad range of genomic analysis approaches to complex datasets to infer biological insights. This post offers an exciting opportunity to join a global research consortium and to collaborate with a number of international project partners. The role will involve international travel to partner institutions to provide advise and training to collaborator groups as well as support in interpretation of results and writing of manuscripts. You will be also responsible for bioinformatic analysis of a large S. agalactiae genomic datasets using existing skills and novel data analysis approaches.

This 3-year post will be based in the Genomics of Pneumonia and Meningitis team, part of the Parasites and Microbes Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The Institute has a world class record of pioneering the use of large-scale genomic data analysis to understand pathogen biology, epidemiology and evolution. You will join a team that is engaged in many exciting research topics such as person-to-person transmission of pathogens, global spread of high-risk clones and evolution of resistance to antibiotics and vaccines. Our studies are supported by genomic, clinical and epidemiological data for thousands of samples providing opportunity for well-powered analyses. We are a multi-disciplinary team that combines the expertise of microbiologists, mathematicians, bioinformaticians and software developers. Here's a selection of recent and past papers that gives an overview of our interests:

Lees et al., (2019) Joint sequencing of human and pathogen genomes reveals the genetics of pneumococcal meningitis Nature Communications

Gladstone et al., (2019) International genomic definition of pneumococcal lineages, to contextualise disease, antibiotic resistance and vaccine impact. EBioMedicine

Lees et al., (2019) Fast and flexible bacterial genomic epidemiology with PopPUNK. Genome Research

Lo et al., (2018) Global distribution of invasive serotype 35D Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates following introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Lees et al., (2017) Genome-wide identification of lineage and locus specific variation associated with pneumococcal carriage duration. eLife

Chaguza et al., (2016) Recombination is Streptococcus pneumoniae lineages increase with carriage duration and size of the polysaccharide capsule. mBio

Chewapreecha et al., (2014) Dense genomic sampling identifies highways of pneumococcal recombination. Nature Genetics

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Stephen Bentley ()

Essential Skills

PhD and significant experience in statistical genetics, microbial genomics, computational biology, or a related discipline

Demonstrated expertise in the management and analysis of large datasets

Demonstrated knowledge of at least one relevant programming language

Excellent communication skills, ability to interact with international collaborators and across a multi-disciplinary team to develop and maintain good working relationships

Keen to learn and share scientific ideas

Attention to detail

Excellent problem-solving and data skills

Proven track record of publishing in reviewed journals

Ideal Skills

Demonstrated experience of writing software and developing novel approaches to analysis of large genomic datasets

Excellent quantitative skills and statistical knowledge

Demonstrated experience working with international collaborators

Demonstrated experience providing bioinformatics training

Other information

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is a charitably funded research centre and committed to training the next generation of genome scientists. Focused on understanding the role of genetics in health and disease and a world leader in the genomic revolution, our mission is to use genome sequences to advance understanding of human and pathogen biology in order to improve human health. We aim to provide results that can be translated into diagnostics, treatments or therapies that reduce global health burdens. Our science is large-scale and organised into Programmes, led by our Faculty who conceive and deliver our science, and supported by our Scientific Operations teams responsible for all data production pipelines at the Institute.

Our Campus: Set over 125 acres, the stunning and dynamic Wellcome Genome Campus is the biggest aggregate concentration of people in the world working on the common theme of Genomes and BioData. It brings together a diverse and exceptional scientific community, committed to delivering life-changing science with the reach, scale and imagination to pursue some of humanity's greatest challenges.

Our Benefits: Our employees have access to a comprehensive range of benefits and facilities including:

Group Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance

Group Income Protection

Private Health Insurance

25 days annual leave, increasing by one day a year to a maximum of 30

Family friendly environment including options for flexible and part-time working, a childcare voucher scheme, Campus Nursery and Summer holiday club

Two days paid Employee Volunteering Leave a year

Employee Discount Scheme

Campus Gym, tennis courts and sports hall plus a range of dining facilities

Active Campus Sports and Social Club

Free Campus Bus Service

Genome Research Limited hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award and will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Please include a covering letter and CV with your application. Closing date for applications: 24th June 2019