BACKGROUND

The Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (SCI) comprises 200 researchers spanning fundamental science through to clinical applications. Our goal is to advance disease modelling, drug discovery and regenerative medicine through understanding the genetic and biochemical mechanisms that control stem cell fate.

Applications are invited for a computational biologist to join the research group of Dr Paul Bertone at the Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge. We apply state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods toward understanding the biological properties and biomedical potential of stem cells.

The project will bridge the research groups of Dr Paul Bertone and Dr Michaela Frye, and will focus on elucidating the role of RNA methylation in regulating protein translation and regulating stem cell fate. Experimental data will be drawn from human ES and neural stem cell culture, genome editing techniques, in vitro viral infections, RNA-seq, miCLIP, ribosome profiling, histology, imaging and flow cytometry. This arrangement provides an excellent environment for research and career development, as the post holder will benefit from the resources and expertise of both experimental and computational laboratories to lead this multidisciplinary project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be required to communicate effectively with experimentalists and organize collaborative projects. The post holder will have the opportunity to initiate their own computational projects, but will also coordinate with colleagues in the Frye lab and contribute to the design and execution of related studies. He or she will have a strong publication record and enjoy working on ambitious projects at the frontiers of genomics and biotechnology. Projects will apply large-scale gene expression profiling, comparative genomics and regulatory systems modelling. The study will make use of neural stem cells as an experimental platform, and therefore knowledge of neural development would be beneficial.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates will have a solid background in computation and current knowledge of eukaryotic genomics. Expertise in statistical methods and Unix scripting are essential. Additional experience with high-throughput sequencing data, numerical computing or regulatory systems modelling is desirable but not required. Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. Bioinformatics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or Neuroscience/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology with a computational component).

PREFERENCES

Previous experience in stem cell biology is not necessary.

TERMS

Start date is flexible but can be as early as May 2015.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 January 2018 in the first instance.

LOCALE

Department/Location: Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge.

COMPENSATION

Salary: GBP 28,695-GBP 37,394

HOW TO APPLY

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/6170. This will take you to the role on the University's Job Opportunities pages. There you will need to click on the 'Apply online' button and register an account with the University's Web Recruitment System (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Please upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application to supplement your application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Interviews will be held 1-3 April 2015. If you have not been invited for interview by 30th March 2015, you have not been successful on this occasion.

Please quote reference PS05338 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

DEADLINE

The closing date for all applications is the Monday 23rd March 2015.

POLICY

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.