Research Associate in Genomic Data Science

Campus: Hammersmith Campus (East Acton) 

Job Summary

Applications are invited for a 3-year postdoctoral research position within the Genomics of Obesity Group, led by Dr William Scott. We are seeking a talented data scientist to deliver an innovative and exciting research project investigating how human adipose tissue expansion and remodelling causes inflammation, metabolic dysfunction and type-2 diabetes.

Our group studies the impact of genetic and environmental risk factors, and therapeutic interventions, on human obesity and diabetes pathophysiology. A major goal of our research is to develop a deep understanding of how adipose tissues shape human health. This position will lead a project using single cell genomics and (paired) secretome screens to explore the cell-types, genes and signals responsible for (i) the adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of obesity and (ii) how these improve after weight loss. The work builds on the latest advances in high-throughput cell and molecular screening tools, our recent unpublished work and expertise in statistical genetics and genomics, and existing cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have experience of performing single cell and other genomic data analyses and will apply these skills to discover novel mechanisms and potential treatments for diabetes and other adverse complications of obesity. You will have access to multidimensional single cell sequencing as well as high-throughput proteomic, metabolomic and exosome RNA sequencing datasets in patients with different metabolic perturbations.

You will have the opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of human mechanistic and translational research in a vibrant and supportive environment. You will be encouraged to contribute to other projects integrating human GWAS, MethylSeq, Cut&Tag, and Capture Hi-C results, and analysing CRISPR library screens. There are excellent opportunities for professional development – taking full advantage of collaborations, facilities and informatic expertise across the LMS and Imperial College. We will provide training and mentoring to support your career aspirations.

Essential requirements:

• Research Associate: Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a pertinent area such as Bioinformatics, Genetics, Data Science etc
• Research Assistant: Near completion of a PhD (or equivalent) in a pertinent area such as Bioinformatics, Genetics, Data Science etc

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

• Experience in statistical analysis and interpretation of large-scale genomic data
• A track record of research in a relevant field (e.g., bioinformatics, data science/ML, statistical genetics)
• Excellent programming skills in Python/R
• Experience with data management and database organisation

Further Information:

This is a full-time and fixed term post for 3 years and will be based at the Hammersmith Hospital Campus (East Acton).

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant with the salary £38,194 - £41,388 per annum.

For more information please visit https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/research-group/genomics-of-obesity/ or contact Dr William Scott  w.scott@imperial.ac.uk

To apply, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the job reference MED03555.

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