BACKGROUND:
Provide expert technical support in computational biology and bioinformatics to research scientists and be involved in collaboration with other institutes regarding the storage, transfer and analysis of research data.

The Regulatory Systems Biology Laboratory takes a systems-level, integrative approach to explore the control and evolution of gene expression using many genome-wide tools, most of which rely on large-scale high-thoughput (HTP) sequencing. We collaborate closely with a number of computational research groups at the EMBL-EBI in Hinxton, and are looking to add a supporting computational biologist to our research team, which currently has one computational and eight wet-lab biologists.

The key challenges and duties of this post are (in close collaboration with our current bioinformatics staff member) to manage and organize, as well as to help analyze and interpret, the laboratory's HTP sequencing data, including: transcription factor binding (ChIP); histone localization; identification of mRNA, small RNA, and total RNA; chromatin conformation analysis (ChIA-PET), and resequencing and structural variation analysis (paired-end genomic DNA). There will be an ongoing need for development and automation of analyses involving sequence alignment and assembly. Prior experience with microarray data (Illumina, Agilent, Affymetrix and Nimblegen) or sequencing data in a range of different scientific applications, including differential gene expression, chromatin confirmation, CGH, ChIP, and SNP identification, would be recommended.

A further possible role of the post may to support the integration of data from proteomics and metabolomics with transcription and transcriptional regulatory data, as described above.

We face many custom sequence annotation problems that require sequence-oriented programming support. The post-holder will work closely with internal and externally collaborating bioinformatics researchers to help maintain, document and develop stable, fast implementations of novel algorithms. This includes assisting in the effective use of the high-performance cluster for computationally intensive problems.

Beyond a required primary focus on supporting HTP data management, a secondary priority of the post-holder's time (that eventually could become substantial) could be to co-lead research projects with wet-laboratory biologists in the Odom group.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operational:

• Work closely with wet-lab research scientists to understand their specific needs and propose appropriate computational solutions.
• Lead development, implementation and documentation of agreed solutions.
• Configure and support specialist bioinformatics software used by scientists.
• Maintain an awareness of current and emerging technologies in systems biology.
• Manage and prioritize own day-to-day workload.
• Accurately identify important policy issues that need clarification with the group leader and/or larger research group.
• Ensure that assigned project tasks are undertaken to the specification, standard and timescales required.
• Continually develop and refine procedures relating to all areas of work.

Team Work:

• Responsible for coaching and encouraging members of the team.
• Ensure team members work together to achieve their objectives.

Communication:

• Provide expert advice and consultancy to all staff and associated third parties to determine best solutions for the laboratory's research goals.
• Build a trusting relationship with all collaborators.
• Liaise closely with external collaborators and internal collaborating group members, while undertaking each piece of work
• Keep all members of the team abreast of technical issues as they occur.
• Prepare and present teaching material on computational techniques.

Other Duties:

• Set and maintain appropriate standards and procedures.
• To undertake other tasks as requested by the group leader.
• To discharge all Health & Safety responsibilities and other statutory obligations.
• To work unsociable/extra hours if required.

REQUIREMENTS:
PhD or equivalent experience in bioinformatics or computational biology, knowledge of systems biology, genome research, or closely related fields, and in-depth knowledge and ability to lead in at least one of the following areas:

• Sequence bioinformatics - Experience with annotation, gene ontology, browsers, homolog/ortholog detection, alignment tools expected
• Microarray analysis - Experience with QC, background correction, normalization, basic downstream analysis expected; knowledge of R, Bioconductor an advantage
• Statistics - General knowledge of statistics to Masters level; experience in microarray analysis, experimental design
• Programming - Experience with cluster computing, scripting, algorithm development and pipeline building is expected.
• Databases - Experience working with relational databases, excellent understanding of database design and development
• Linux - fluency is an absolute requirement.

In addition, experience of working in a scientific research environment is required and excellent knowledge in at least one of the following programming languages is expected: Python, Perl, R, C/C++.

Other Skills/Competencies:

• Good organisational skills and a strong completer/finisher
• Excellent communication ability including good written and oral skills
• Strong information gathering and problem solving skills
• Task, goal, and collaboration focused
• Creative
• Strong team skills as well as being self-motivated

TERMS:
Full Time. This is a permanent post.

LOCALE:
Cambridge, United Kingdom

COMPENSATION:
Competitive

HOW TO APPLY:
The full description of the post and application details are available in
https://cruk.taleo.net/careersection/cruk_corporate/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=SCI00224

DEADLINE:
25 July 2012