Senior Bioinformatician

About the Role
Applications are sought for an enthusiastic Senior Bioinformatician to join our Translational Cancer Immunotherapy and Genomics Team at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University. Our ERC funded research implements cutting-edge bioinformatics in the analysis of genomic datasets from clinical trials, to characterize genomic changes influencing therapy resistance and cancer evolution. This project uses ultra-deep whole exome sequencing to track cancer evolution in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) during multiple lines of systemic therapy. We have established novel next generation sequencing (NGS) error-correction methods utilizing molecular barcode technology to detect low frequency variants in ctDNA. The successful applicant will be responsible for running and optimizing the mutation and copy number analysis pipeline for deep ctDNA sequencing analysis and have a central role in publishing the results. A particular focus will be the development of a new error correction model from healthy donor ctDNA sequencing data. Applicants will be supported in fellowship applications. You will enjoy working as part of a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, NGS specialists, experimental biologists and bioinformaticians. The appointee will excel in driving the ERC research progress, making full use of these collaborations. The successful candidate will also assist in the training of junior bioinformaticians in the group.

About You
Candidates should hold a relevant degree and a post-graduate qualification (PhD) and must have substantial post-doctoral experience in the field of cancer genomics analysis, ideally including whole exome analysis. Experience in error correction model development, subclonal composition deconvolution and phylogenetic analysis would be an advantage. The candidate must be familiar with a High Performance Computing Environment and have experience in the design and optimization of NGS bioinformatic pipelines. A proven track record of publications in peer reviewed journals that demonstrate this experience is essential.

About the Institute
The Barts Cancer Institute (BCI) is a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence whose work aims to transform the lives of those with and at risk of cancer through innovative research in the laboratory, in patients and in populations. BCI is internationally renowned in many areas of cancer research and it combines ground-breaking basic research with the expertise of clinicians and clinician scientists.

About Queen Mary
At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable. Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence.

Benefits
We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities.

The post is based at the Charterhouse Square Campus. It is a full-time (35 hours per week) appointment, fixed-term for 12 months in the first instance, with an expected start date in Spring 2023. The starting salary will be Grade 6, in the range of £51,048 - £55,386 per annum (depending on the skillset of the candidate), inclusive of London Allowance.

Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Marco Gerlinger at m.gerlinger@qmul.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 24 April 2023.

Interviews are expected to be held shortly thereafter.

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