Postdocs in Statistical Genetics in Oxford

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST IN STATISTICAL GENETICS (TWO POSITIONS AVAILABLE)

THE WELLCOME TRUST CENTRE FOR HUMAN GENETICS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, UK

Grade 8: £37,012-£44,166, with a discretionary range to £48,246 p.a.

Applications where not all the set criteria are met will be considered, and if appointed, will be at the appropriate salary range of Grade 7: £29,249-£35,938 p.a., with amended duties and responsibilities.

Applications are invited for up to two Postdoctoral Research Scientists in Statistical Genetics to join the research group of Prof Peter Donnelly FRS, the Centre Director. Both posts will involve working on problems at the cutting-edge of human genetics, and represent exciting opportunities for statistical geneticists, or those with strong statistical backgrounds and skills wishing to move into this field.

One post is available to work on the People of the British Isles (POBI) project; a Wellcome Trust funded collaborative study aimed at understanding patterns of genetic variation within the UK and using these to learn more about the history of the peoples of the British Isles. The project has collected a large and unique dataset, whose analysis, together with genetic data from other European populations, has revealed fascinating patterns of fine-scale geographic differentiation within the United Kingdom, and provides answers to a number of historical and archaeological questions which had been unresolved. On-going challenges are to extend this work to a wider set of populations, to analyse whole-genome DNA sequence data which is currently being collected on a subset of the POBI individuals, and to further develop the statistical methods underpinning analyses of population structure.

Applicants should have a strong background in statistical genetics, ideally in applications to population structure, or a strong background in another area of modern computational statistics and the enthusiasm and aptitude to move into statistical genetics. You will have good computational skills and experience of a low-level programming language such as C or C++.

A second post is available to work on research projects funded by a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award to Professor Donnelly. These include work on:

1) The development and application of statistical methods for genomic sequence data in health and disease;

2) Analysis of genomic sequence from bacterial isolates; or

3) mammalian recombination. We seek applicants with a strong background in, and understanding of, modern statistics, with an interest in applying their skills to some of the exciting problems in genetics research, with the ability to lead and assist in the development of novel methods in that context.

Previous experience in genetics is not essential, but it is necessary to have the skills and enthusiasm for applying statistical methods to large genetics datasets, driven by interesting scientific questions. Applicants for both posts should have a PhD in statistics or quantitative genetics, or equivalent experience.

As you will be managing the day-to-day running of the research project, good organisation and communication skills are essential.

The positions are available for a fixed period of two years and are funded by the Wellcome Trust.

To apply for the Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Statistical Genetics post (ref: 104896) and for further details, including a job description and person specification, please click on the link below: https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=104896

To apply for the Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Statistical Genetics: Population Structure and Demographic History post (ref: 104202) and for further details, including a job description and person specification, please click on the link below: https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=104202

Only applications received before 12:00, midday on Thursday 15th November 2012 can be considered.

You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application, please quote the relevant reference as quoted above in all correspondence.