Research Assistant/research Associate - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom - Newcastle University

Newcastle University

Verified Company

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Salary:

Research Assistant:
£31,396 to £32,982 per annum

Research Associate:
£33,966 to £44,263 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits.

We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 02 June 2024

The Role

We are looking for a dynamic bioinformatician to analyse extensive omic datasets (e.g., single nuclei RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics) generated from muscle biopsies and other biological samples of patients affected by muscular dystrophies, to identify new disease mechanisms and biomarkers.

This is a rare opportunity to work on several cutting-edge projects that will have a real and direct impact on patients' lives.

Joining our world-class international team of clinicians, scientists and bioinformaticians, you will be able to demonstrate evidence of completing bioinformatics project with a research environment and develop a strong background in human disease biology.

You will work in the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, a centre for translational research in genetic neuromuscular diseases with around 90 team members.

This post is tenable for 24 months.

The post will be based at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC), a centre for translational research in genetic neuromuscular diseases with around 90 team members, at Newcastle University.

Key Accountabilities
Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, they should contribute with new ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
Develop and carry out the specified project (analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic and genomic datasets) using appropriate bioinformatic techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
Contribute to the writing up of their research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
Involvement in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
Start to develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
Write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
Support a range of research activities across the JWMDRC, besides the specified project
Provide guidance on ongoing and future research, particularly experimental design, omics data analysis and interpretation
Communicate methodologies and analyses to a wide audience, including clinical, laboratory and informatics researchers, as well as non-experts

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Hands-on experience in the analysis of large-scale omics data, including complex multistage pipeline development, reporting, and troubleshooting
Experience with single cell/single nuclei RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics datasets
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to present to technical and non-technical audiences
Experience with the research environment (design and delivery of research projects)
Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
Ability to prepare and maintain detailed documentation of their work
Desirable
Experience with epigenetic, proteomic and genomic datasets
Experience in integrative omics methodologies
Experience accessing and utilising external, publicly available datasets (e.g., Genomics England, UKBioBank, EBI)
Familiarity with containerisation (e.g., Docker) of informatic pipelines/workflows
Understanding and/or experience with other complex datasets, including integration of health records or phenotypic data
Experience in working in a multidisciplinary team (e.g., a team involving clinicians, scientists, etc.) and/or in wider collaborative groups
Subject knowledge in muscle biology and pathophysiology of muscle diseases
Experience in working with human tissue samples

Attributes and Behaviour
Enthusiastic, hardworking and able to take initiative
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ex