Research Associate

  • Full Time
  • Leicester
  • 30000 AED / Month

University of Leicester - Genetics and Genome Biology

Research Associate

 

Description:

To support research, under the supervision of the PI Dr Tim Beck and the supervisors Emeritus Prof Raymond Dalgleish and Honorary Lecturer Dr Peter Freeman. The post will provide the ability to further develop the internationally and nationally recognised high-impact software tools project VariantValidator (https://variantvalidator.org/). This will see the creation of a database which will hold additional mapping data for the alignment of gene transcripts and the human genome. It will also hold the relevant DNA sequences and metadata describing the database contents. This database will support enhancements to the existing software tools. Other enhancements to the tools are also planned.

Specifically, you will be expected to:

  • Create and maintain a database for the alignment of gene transcripts and the human genome, ensuring relevant DNA sequences and metadata are also developed, and contribute ideas and support to the PI for the development of new themes/strands of research
  • Lead on integration of databases and software into projects owned by the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH)
  • Support the project through the production of data using various relational and non-relational database systems, and detailed code documentation. Work in line with project milestones and towards major goals of the research project, and prioritise tasks within the time framework of the project
  • Develop an understanding of using a range of database technologies and set up computational pipelines that enable research reproducibility. In terms of continued professional development, seek out and undertake additional training as appropriate
  • Assist with providing general informatics training and support to other group members seeking to extract/process data and establish tools/processes
  • Help analyse and interpret results and prepare data for publication. Assist with drafting information towards writing up project progress for dissemination within the group and the broader international community, via project reports, scientific publications, and presentation and participation in UK and international workshops and conferences

About you

Skills and experience:

  • Knowledge and experience of the Universal Transcript Archive (UTA) (https://github.com/biocommons/uta/)
  • Computer science or relevant biology/health-related scientific degree
  • In possession of or working towards an MSc in Bioinformatics, Computer Science or similar OR have equivalent experience
  • Practical relevant experience in relational (in particular PostgreSQL materialised views) and non-relational database systems and programming in BASH and Python
  • Practical relevant experience in genome and transcript reference sequences and the standard algorithms used for their alignment
  • Practical experience of using and implementing tools designed to validate human-genome sequence variants using the HGVS sequence variant nomenclature

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr Tim Beck on timbeck@leicester.ac.uk

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

To apply for this job please visit www.jobs.ac.uk.

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