BACKGROUND:
The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (http://www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk), an Institute of the University of Manchester (http://www.manchester.ac.uk), is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research. The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (http://www.cancerresearchuk.org), the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world. We are adjacent to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (http://www.christie.nhs.uk), one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.

Our aim is to understand the fundamental basis of cancer and apply that knowledge to developing new treatment strategies for cancer patients. Our advanced research programmes span a spectrum of cancer research, from the molecular and cellular basis of cancer through to drug discovery, translational research and clinical trials. The Institute has outstanding laboratory facilities and exceptional core services, including next generation sequencing, microarrays, confocal microscopy, bioinformatics, histology and mass-spectrometry. We are situated in Manchester, England, a vibrant and dynamic city that is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has excellent transport links both nationally and internationally.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are establishing a Computational Biomarkers Team within the Manchester Centre for Cancer Biomarker Sciences. We are seeking bioinformaticians with a strong desire to see their research and analyses translated directly to the clinic. The team will use DNA, RNA and protein based profiles derived from tumour biopsies, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and/or ctDNA to derive robust patient classifiers. One specific goal of the biomarker centre is to develop blood tests, (so called `liquid biopsies') that will use genomic and/or transcriptomic profiles to predict patient response to therapy and help personalise cancer patients' treatments. The post holder will join a highly interdisciplinary team on site that integrates High Performance Computing (HPC), computational biology and statistical analysis with preclinical and clinical research. They will have access to a dedicated Cancer Genomics Data Centre with a large HPC system, and will work closely with core Computational Biology Support and Scientific Computing teams, who together run pipelines for initial data analysis and pre-processing. The team will establish in depth collaborations with other members of the Biomarker Centre to establish a multi-disciplinary program of work focused on improving patient outcomes.

REQUIREMENTS:
We seek a highly motivated individual to lead this new team within the Manchester Centre for Cancer Biomarker Sciences. The successful applicant will have a background in statistical analysis of complex datasets and large scale inference using machine learning approaches, combined with a desire to see these approaches used for patient benefit. They will have a PhD in computational biology, mathematics, computer science, or another relevant postgraduate degree with extensive equivalent and relevant experience. They will also have demonstrable and effective experience managing a team, excellent communication skills, and the ability to deliver a complex program of work to a deadline.

COMPENSATION:

• Salary in the range of GBP 28,000 - GBP 45,700 dependent upon experience

TERMS:

• Fixed term position until 31 March 2017 (in the first instance)

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position please visit our website: http://www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk/Jobs?jobId=170

Job Ref: MI/15/23

For applicants who are unable to download this information from our website, please contact HR department on 0161 446 3231, email: jobs[at]cruk.manchester.ac.uk to have this information sent by post.

For any informal enquiries about this post please contact: Professor Caroline Dive via email: caroline.dive[at]cruk.manchester.ac.uk; or Dr Crispin Miller via email crispin.miller[at]cruk.manchester.ac.uk

DEADLINE:
The closing date for receipt of applications is: 15 May 2015.