Division/School Bristol Medical School
Contract type Open Ended
Working pattern Full or Part time
Salary £33,797 to £38,017 Grade I / £38,017 to £42,792 Grade J per annum
Closing date for applications 09-Aug-2020

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in molecular epidemiology/bioinformatics to analyse genomic data generated by Biomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis (BIOMAP, https://www.biomap-imi.eu/).

The post-holder will be a key member of the BIOMAP work package 3 data analysis team (https://www.biomap-imi.eu/about/work-packages) to determine causal relationships between intermediate omics traits and Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis subtypes to identify potential target mechanisms. The postholder will perform comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression data using blood and skin samples from multiple cohorts in order to link molecular signatures to Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis subtypes. They will examine the identified associations over the life course using longitudinal data and will use Mendelian Randomization, to determine which EWAS/TWAS associations have causal evidence. They will also use Bayesian colocalization analysis to identify the likely causal genes implicated by GWAS of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis subtypes and compare molecular signatures in isolated cell types to determine the tissue/cell type-specific regulatory component of differentially expressed/methylated signatures. Feature selection methods will also be used to predict Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis subtypes.

The postholder will be part of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) at the University of Bristol and will be aligned with multiple programmes (epigenetic epidemiology and Mendelian randomization) within the unit. The work undertaken in this position will be driven by the objectives of BIOMAP, however will allow (and encourage) the development of a personal research portfolio.

The appointment will be at Grade I or J, dependant on the extent of relevant research experience, is offered as an open ended contract with 3 years initial funding. This could be on a full-time or part-time basis, or could allow time to be split with another project. The post is ideally suited to someone with a PhD in molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics or a closely related discipline. You will have experience using statistical programming languages (such as R) and preferably experience of working with large-scale molecular datasets. You will have experience of applied statistical analysis and understanding of EWAS, TWAS and preferably also Mendelian randomization methods.

The successful applicant will be based within the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol (IEU) located within the Bristol Medical School.

We strongly encourage interested applicants to make informal enquiries to Dr Josine Min (josine.min@bristol.ac.uk) or Dr Lavinia Paternoster (l.paternoster@bristol.ac.uk).

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.