BACKGROUND:
This new post is an exciting opportunity to be involved in drug target discovery through integrative bioinformatic led approaches, leveraging the power of high dimensional biological and genetic datasets relating to inflammation and immunity. You will be part of ULTRA-DD, a European-wide consortium funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), which comprises academics throughout the University of Oxford, ETH (Switzerland), Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) and University of Toronto (Canada), in close cooperation with the pharmaceutical biomedical industry (Bayer, DiscoveRx, Jansen, Novartis and Pfizer). The role of ULTRA-DD (Unrestricted Leveraging of Targets for Research Advancement and Drug Discovery) is to validate new protein targets by generating and testing high quality chemical probes and antibodies in models of human inflammatory disease based on clinical samples, to facilitate drug discovery and greater understanding of disease pathology. All research results will be published according to our open access policy.

ULTRA-DD is led by Professor Aled Edwards (Project Director, University of Toronto), Michael Sundström (Scientific Director, Karolinska Institutet) and Nils Ostermann (Project Coordinator, Novartis).

You will have a key role in the identification and prioritisation of targets for the ULTRA-DD consortium through the Target Prioritisation Network (TPN), enabled by your expertise in bioinformatics and the biology of inflammation and immunity combined with effective project management skills to ensure delivery of milestones for the TPN and excellent inter-disciplinary interactions with collaborating members of the Consortium. You will work closely with experts spanning the biology and genetics of the immune response, disease genomics, epigenetics, bioinformatics and structural biologists to clinicians working in a variety of related disease areas. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills as a research scientist working in an exceptional world class environment for bioinformatic analysis complemented by excellence in basic science research within the Old Road campus which includes the WTCHG, the SGC, the new Big Data Institute, the Target Discovery Institute, the Richard Doll building and Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. Your work will provide the opportunity for innovative method development and new scientific insights, leveraging the power of recent GWAS and genome sequencing efforts in rare and complex traits to inform target discovery, complemented by functional annotation to define specific modulated genes and consequences for proteins and pathways, integrative analysis informed by quantitative trait mapping, functional genomic and epigenomic datasets as well as specific phenotypic screens in model organisms and humans.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Undertake bioinformatic analysis of biological and genetic data relevant to the programme to inform target prioritisation.
• Develop and implement computational and statistical methods. Create, test and use relevant computer code; maintain and distribute completed software.
• Day to day administration and project management for the TPN within ULTRA-DD, including planning, progress monitoring, recording, execution of deliverables and achieving project milestones.
• Liaising with consortium members, including both academic and industry partners.
• Provide leadership in bioinformatic analysis working with an interdisciplinary team including close liaison with members of the Bioinformatics and Statistical Genetics Core and collaborators together with supervision of junior researchers.
• Identification of relevant databases and resources.
• Contribute and develop ideas for new research projects including preparing grant applications, raising research funding and associated budget management.
• Train and provide mentorship to students and junior researchers.
• Keep detailed, accurate, reproducible and comprehensible records of your work.
• Aid in writing of reports and contribute to the publication of research findings in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.
• Keep abreast of the relevant literature and methodology developments.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time that are commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of this post including where appropriate activity in enabling Centre scientific and organisational matters through specific committees or working groups.
• Participate and support public engagement activities on behalf of the Centre, working with the Centre's Public Engagement and Communications Officer. This is anticipated to be around 2 days per year.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD in Statistical genetics, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline
• Research experience in statistical genetics and/or bioinformatics
• Experience of, and demonstrated competence in, scientific computing using at least one programming language
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills
• Experience of project management and collaborative interdisciplinary research
• A strong publication record including substantive peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrable high level of communication skills both written and oral
• Ability to organise and prioritise work efficiently delivering results to required standard and to an agreed schedule
• Evidence of problem-solving, working with accuracy, self-motivation and integrity
• Ability to work within a team effectively

PREFERENCES:

• Experience of working in industry
• Experience of target discovery workflows
• Biological insights into areas related to inflammation and immunity

TERMS:
Fixed-Term for up to 3 years in the first instance

LOCALE:
Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7BN

COMPENSATION:
Funded by European Union, Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this role and for further details, including a job description and a person specification, please click on the link below:

https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=117147

Please quote ref. 117147 on all correspondence. You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application.

DEADLINE:
Only applications received before 12:00 midday on a Friday 27th March 2015 will be considered.