Staff Scientist

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative researcher with expertise in computational and statistical genetics to join our team as a Staff Scientist. Our group focuses on understanding genetic contributions to severe neurodevelopmental conditions and cognitive development. We promote an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together a diverse team of experimental and computational scientists focused on generating and analysing large genetic and genomic datasets.

About the Role

The successful candidate will join a supportive, inclusive, and friendly team that values collaboration and fosters an open, transparent working culture.

The role offers an exciting opportunity to lead cutting-edge research and play a key role in shaping the group's research strategy. You will lead the integrated analysis of large genetic data cohorts and electronic health records, developing innovative algorithms to advance our understanding of severe neurodevelopmental conditions.

Our group is part of the Human Genetics Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and maintain extensive internal and external partnerships, so within the role, there is an opportunity to engage with variety of interdisciplinary projects and collaborative initiatives. We are seeking candidates with a strong background in statistical genetics, demonstrated expertise in handling and analysing large datasets, and a passion for advancing research to improve outcomes for individuals affected by severe neurodevelopmental conditions.

About You

Essential skills:

• PhD in statistical genetics or genetics
  
• Statistical knowledge and experience relevant to studies of large cohorts of genetic data
  
• Proven ability to deliver research projects
  
• Skills and experience in analysing and visualising large datasets genetic variation data using varied software applications
  
• Strong UNIX/LINUX/systems skills
  
• Ability to drive the development of novel computational methods to analyse large cohorts of genetic data
  
• Excellent organisational, teaching, communication and mentoring skills
  
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills
  
• Skills and experience to program novel scripts for data analysis to a reproducible level using python and/or R
  
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of people of differing level, abilities and knowledge
  
• Ability to innovate and work independently
  
• Willingness to share data, resources and code in an open and reproducible manner.
  
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture where all can thrive, and diversity is celebrated
  
• Good presentational skills to scientific and lay audiences
  
• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills
  

Desirable skills:

• Skills and experience to undertake reproducible data analysis including git, version control, pipeline management
  
• Skills and experience to implement and run novel computationally intensive analytical pipelines on a high-performance compute farm
  
• Good publication record and proven ability to draft scientific papers
  
• Experience of working within Trusted Research Environments (TRE)
  
• Experience with large-scale genetic sequencing data processing and analysis using distributed computing clusters
  

Additional information

Applications: Please include a cover letter along with your CV. In your cover letter, include detail on how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role described.

Salary: £44,800 - £53,800

Closing Date: 09-FEB-25

Contract duration: Permanent

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the role may close when a successful appointment has been made.

View our 2023-2024 Institute Highlights here: bit.ly/SangerHighlights2023-24

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That's why we're committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.