Research Fellow London, England
Job description
About us
Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.
This is an exciting opportunity to join an international EU-funded consortium working on SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern using cohort studies (https://endvoc.eu). The role holder will be a member of the UCL Genetics Institute team, led by Dr Lucy van Dorp’s and Prof Francois Balloux.
The ENDVOC consortium is an ambitious, dynamic and highly collaborative project between geneticists, infectious disease epidemiologists, immunologists, statisticians, clinicians and public health practitioners to leverage cohort studies from all over the world to provide better surveillance and early flagging of COVID-19 variants, and other emerging pathogens.
About the role
The main purpose of this position is to play a key role in bioinformatic and computational analyses of large SARS-CoV-2 datasets, with a focus on genomic surveillance and prediction of the emergence of new viral variants. There is also some scope to work on other pathogens. The hosting team at UGI (Lucy van Dorp and François Balloux) has access to a range of exceptional datasets of viral and bacterial genomes, both modern and ancient. The role holder will be expected to contribute to independent, original research in collaboration with the other members of a small, but highly dynamic team.
The role holder will analyse large genomic datasets to address major fundamental and medical questions about the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and how best to flag early possible new viral variants of concern. The post holder will be given freedom to develop and follow up on their own ideas and projects.
The post is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 30 April 2025 in the first instance.
Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £35,702 - £37,548 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.
This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% on site.
This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.
A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact Francois Balloux ([email protected]) or Lucy van Dorp ([email protected]).
If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Biosciences staffing at [email protected].
About you
We are looking for a creative and competent bioinformatician / computational biologist, for someone who asks interesting and challenging scientific questions, and finds a way to rigorously tackle them. We also hope to attract someone who can both drive projects but is also willing to help out team members with their expertise.
You must have a relevant qualification in data analysis of large genomic datasets, ideally of microbes. Experience with, or at least a keenness to quickly acquire, fundamental concepts in phylogenetics and population genetics is also essential.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
On-Site nursery
On-site gym
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
