Senior Research Associate in Genetic Epidemiology

The role

We are seeking talented postdoctoral researchers with experience in Genetic epidemiology. You will be responsible for conducting and disseminating high-quality translational research concerned with identifying common and rare genetic variant associations with congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases, and with trajectories of cardiovascular related traits, including fetal growth, adiposity, blood pressure and lipids. You will work with a group who are interested in identifying the effects of cardiovascular disease and its treatment on pregnancy and perinatal health. You will be part of a cohesive, friendly and diverse team working within the MR-PREG collaboration, including data for > 400,000 mothers on clinical outcomes, genetics, and other omics In addition, you will closely engage with several international partners, particularly Prof. Frayling (University of Geneva), Assoc. Prof. Kutalik (University of Lausanne), Prof. Evans (University of Queensland) and Dr. Moen (University of Oslo) as well as collaborators from different UK institutes.

You will join the vibrant interdisciplinary research environment in the Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), linked to Professor Deborah Lawlor’s and Dr Carolina Borges’ Unit programme on pregnancy health. You will benefit from the collaborative multi-disciplinary research environment of the MRC IEU, Population Health Sciences, and the Bristol Medical School and will have access to a range of training and career development opportunities.

Full-time/1 FTE, though part-time will be considered minimum 3 days per week- 0.6 FTE.

Hybrid working is available: we expect full-time staff to be in person at least 2 days a week.

What will you be doing?

Research Responsibilities

• Conduct research using rare and common genetic variants to improve knowledge on effects of cardiovascular disease on pregnancy-related complications
• Generate ideas, develop and execute analysis plans
• Identify relevant data sources and bioinformatic tools
• Clean and analyse large-scale, high-dimensional datasets
• Present research findings at local, national, and international meetings and conferences
• Publish your work in peer reviewed journals
• Contribute with supervision of MSc and PhD students

Administration Responsibilities

• Thorough documentation and version control of all code developed
• Preparation, annotation and documentation of datasets
• Engagement and collaboration with researchers within the IEU and externally
• Assist with the organisation of meetings 

You should apply if

Essential

• Experience in standard Genetic Epidemiology methods, such as GWAS an Mendelian randomization
• Evidence of expertise in one of rare genetic variant analyses and/or analyses of genetic associations with trajectories of age varying traits
• Experience of using Linux/Unix operating systems, using R, Python or other common languages, and liaising with external collaborators

Desirable

• Experience of cardiovascular and/or reproductive epidemiology
• Contributions to publications of genetic epidemiology papers
• Ability to work with diverse collaborators and lead project

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with funding until 30/04/2027

Work pattern: Full-time/1 FTE (part-time considered minimum 3 days per week- 0.6 FTE)

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week (part-time considered)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 28/05/2026

For informal queries please contact: Deborah Lawlor - Professor of Epidemiology (d.a.lawlor@bristol .ac.uk)

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