Research Fellow, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine

Job Description:

The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences (MDBS) at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Research Fellow in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. This post is part time, 0.4FTE (14.8 hpw).    

An experienced Postdoctoral scientist is being sought to join Dr. Chris Watson’s research group based in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. The post-holder will provide supportive cover within ongoing patient-focused translational research projects. The role will include supporting patient recruitment, biobanking, data entry and analysis. In addition, the role will include activities linked to analysis of epigenetic modifications, biomarker discovery / validation, image analysis, and scientific writing.     

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated research background in patient recruitment, clinical sample processing and data entry, and prior experience in epigenetics analysis, including DNA methylation. Experience working directly with clinical research stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, and research charities is also required for this post. The candidate should have excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.   

We offer scientific development opportunities in an international and interdisciplinary environment and support our postdoctoral fellows with an Institute-based mentoring program to support career development.

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate you have: 

• Obtained or are about to obtain a PhD in the area of biomedicine, relevant to the project.
• At least 3 years’ relevant research experience working in clinical research, including activities of patient recruitment, clinical sample collection and processing, maintaining and managing a biorepository.
• Extensive hands-on experience in the following:
  • Epigenetics based research (including DNA methylation analysis)
  • Clinical sample profiling to identify or validate potential disease biomarkers
• High quality original publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with career stage, in the field of epigenetics.

Please note the above are not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria please click the Candidate Information link below.

This post is fixed term for 11 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.    

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.     

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working                              
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)   

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.    

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/diversity; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/    

Informal enquiries may be directed to Prof David Grieve at d.grieve@qub.ac.uk.

Candidate Information
About the Centre  
About Dr Chris Watson   
Attractive Reward Package   
Information for International Applicants