Download UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON THE UCL CANCER INSTITUTE

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
THE UCL CANCER INSTITUTE
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST:
Research Associate - Bioinformatician, Full-time
GRADE:
Grade 7 (£32,375 - £39,132 per annum including London Allowance)
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Dr. Suzana Hadjur
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Dr. Suzana Hadjur
The Genome Organization and Function Group headed by Dr. Suzana Hadjur is seeking a
Bioinformatician to start immediately. Using experimental and computational approaches, the
group has a broad interest in genome organization and its influence on gene regulation.
We use molecular methods (Hi-C, 4C-Seq, ChIP and 3D microscopy) and computational
analysis to investigate the organisation of mammalian chromosomes. Recent work has shown
that a set of chromatin proteins, called cohesins are functionally important for the looping of
regulatory elements at individual genes (Hadjur S et al., Nature 2009; Parelho V & Hadjur S et
al., Cell 2008) as well as global chromosome structure (Sofueva S et al. EMBO J 2013).
The full-time bioinformatics position is immediately available and funded by the Medical
Research Council in collaboration with Illumina, Inc for two years in the first instance. The
appointee will be supervised by Dr. Hadjur and will be integrated into both the bioinformatics
environment at UCL and into the European FP7 EpiGeneSys community, to which the group
has membership.
The ideal candidate should have a genomics or computer science based PhD, be highly
ambitious and self-motivated and possess significant experience in applied bioinformatics,
specifically having worked with next-generation sequencing datasets. The candidate will also
be expected to have a working knowledge of R and statistics. The post holder will be expected
to analyse, integrate and interpret multiple datasets simultaneously (including ChIP-Seq, RNASeq and data arising from genome wide 3C-based studies, HiC and 4C-Seq). The work will
also involve management of the data, application of cutting-edge algorithms, and development
of appropriate post-analysis strategies and pipelines. The hypotheses generated through the
analysis will be validated within the laboratory and therefore close interaction is expected with
lab members.
This post represents an excellent opportunity for an intelligent, self-motivated and creative
bioinformatician to work in the exciting field of genome organization and to take advantage of
the large amounts of NGS data currently available within the group and interpret it in novel
ways.
The candidate should:
 Have prior experience with the analysis and interpretation of genomics data (ideally with nextgeneration sequencing data)
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Possess strong programming and statistics skills
Be proficient with R and have a solid statistical background
Be familiar with working in a linux environment
Posses the ability to develop integrated databases of biological data
Have experience in common bioinformatics packages such as Bioconductor and Bioperl
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
1.
To work as part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, developing good working
relationships within the team, and to establish and maintain excellent communication
links.
2.
To develop a bioinformatics strategy to integrate different genomics signals deriving
from ChIP-Seq, RNA-Seq and 3C-Based-seq profiles obtained from the same samples.
3.
To maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records
and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place. To maintain
confidentially of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the
Data Protection Act.
4.
To develop a systems-type analysis pipeline. To integrate generated data with existing
genome annotation using e.g. UCSC and ENSEMBL
5.
Provide basic training in bioinformatics to lab members to increase awareness and
knowledge of the methodologies used for analysis.
6.
Provide supervision of bioinformatics aspects of projects in our laboratory in related
areas. Keep up to date on current publications relevant for our projects and integrate
published datasets accordingly.
7.
To contribute to the writing of publications and grant applications for this and related
studies.
8.
Keep up to date with scientific developments in this and related fields and communicate
these developments within the group.
9.
To attend research seminars and other departmental meetings as required.
10.
To participate in any group/laboratory duties commensurate with the grade as required.
11.
To be aware of and act upon:
Disciplinary procedure and Disciplinary rules
Grievance procedure
Section 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act
Departmental Fire Guidelines
Equal Opportunities Policy
12.
To comply with the Health & Safety regulations of the department.
The hours of work and the distribution of these are at the discretion of the Head of Department.
University College London has adopted an equal opportunities policy and specific regard should
be taken of its content in relation to the treatment of employees or potential employees.
Please note that UCL operates a system of cashless pay directly into a bank or building society
account. All new employees are, therefore, required to have an account with a bank or building
society as soon as they commence their appointment. Failure to produce bank details on the first
day will result in a delay in payment.
This job description is not meant to be restrictive or exhaustive and duties may change in
response to changing circumstances. These will be discussed with the postholder.
Person Specification
The following is a list of essential and desirable requirements needed in order to do the job.
Applicants will be shortlisted solely on the extent to which they meet these requirements.
Competency
Knowledge and
Experience
Evidence
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Communication
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PhD in relevant area (eg, genomics, computational
biology)
Basic statistics
Bioinformatics expertise (eg analysis of DNA
sequence data, ChIP data, gene expression data,
fragment analysis)
Laboratory research experience/understanding in
biosciences field (genomics and cell biology).
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Keen to learn and share scientific ideas.
Excellent inter-personal skills.
E/D
E
E
E
D
E
E
E
Teamwork and Motivation

Willingness to work as part of a team and to
effectively exchange information with team members.
 Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve
project demands
E
E
Service Delivery
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Ability to react effectively to requests from the Team
Leader and other colleagues.
E
Planning and Organising
Resources
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Ability to organise and prioritise work.
Ability to work safely and effectively with a minimum
of supervision.
E
E
Initiative and Problem
Solving
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Ability to use initiative.
Ability to resolve operational difficulties.
Desire to develop the role.
E
E
D
E = Essential
D = Desirable
Date :
13 January 2014