Postdoctoral Researcher - Cancer

This full-time post is available immediately on a fixed-term basis to 30th September 2025 and is in collaboration with a large Cancer Research UK funded research programme led by the University of Bristol.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow with strong quantitative skills to lead research projects using genetics to investigate the links between metabolic disease, reproductive ageing and cancer. 

The successful applicant will develop and apply research ideas and methods, applying cutting-edge statistical techniques to provide evidence on the causes of cancer. In particular investigating relationships between fat distribution, hormonal status and cancer using methods in genetic epidemiology such as Mendelian randomization. Data analyses will include genomic and health data from large population based cohorts, large-scale genome-wide association studies and novel genomic analyses.

The post will be supervised by Dr Katherine Ruth and is based at the University of Exeter in the internationally-recognised Genetics of Complex Traits Team, a dynamic, supportive team of more than 30 researchers. The applicant will be part of the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/integrative-epidemiology/programmes/icep/), a multi-institutional collaborative programme lead by the University of Bristol, offering opportunities to participate in meetings with world-leading researchers in population-based analyses.

The post will include all aspects of data-driven research projects – including developing ideas and methods, acquiring appropriate data, involving the public and patients, performing data analysis, collaborating with others working on the research programme, dissemination, supervising more junior staff and students, developing further funding and contributing to teaching and staff development.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a PhD in a quantitative area and have experience of statistical and or computational approaches to large scale data, genetic analyses, and/or genetic epidemiology. The successful applicant at grade F will be an internationally recognised researcher in her or his field, as shown by highly cited publications, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies, but applicants at an earlier career stage are encouraged to apply and could be appointed as a PDRA. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

For information, contact Dr Katherine Ruth, Lecturer in Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, e-mail K.S.Ruth@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for completed applications is 09/10/23.  

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