Research Associate

We have an exciting opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced bioinformatician to join the Psychosis and Major Affective Disorders research group within the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University. The Centre carries out world-leading research that aims to improve the lives of those with severe mental illnesses.

The postholder will play a leading role in the analysis of large and complex genetic datasets, utilising a range of machine learning approaches, whilst leading a broad range of investigative and analytical activities. Bringing skills in biostatistics and bioinformatics, with knowledge and experience of data simulation techniques, the successful candidate will join a dynamic research group and benefit from the line management and supervision of Professor Valentina Escott-Price.

In this role, you will work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to perform self-directed analyses using in-house and publicly available datasets for high-impact, peer-reviewed publications. Applicants should be knowledgeable and enthusiastic with the ability to multi-task and communicate effectively. Core tasks will include data analysis and management of genetic, genomic and related phenotypic data from case-control and cohort samples, as well as publicly available and in-house generated genomic human data. Collaborative working is a key component of this role meaning that communication skills will be vital, in order to cultivate international collaborations with a number of academic institutions.

We’d like to hear from you if you have a background in machine learning and biostatistics with proven experience in extensive large-scale data analyses and manipulation, including analysis of genome-wide association studies and genetic interactions. Expert knowledge of data manipulation in a UNIX/Linux environment and proficiency in high-level programming languages such as Python and R Statistics is essential. Knowledge of techniques used in genetics and epidemiology, as well as experience in using software used for the analysis of genomic data such as PLINK, LDScore, is desirable.

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

For informal enquiries please contact Valentina Escott-Price on EscottPriceV@cardiff.ac.uk

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 01.07.2025 and fixed term until 30.06.2028 based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

Salary: £40,497 - £45,413 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

How we will support you in performing in this role – 
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring scheme

Closing date: Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University