Bioinformatician

Institute for Modern; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days’ paid holiday

Pension scheme

Travel discounts

Professional development opportunities

Free entry to Botanic Gardens

Discounts at University museums

Job summary

The University of Oxford is seeking a creative Bioinformatician to lead the design, conduct, supervision and publication of bioinformatic analyses in the Modernising Medical Microbiology (MMM) Unit, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

This full-time, fixed-term post offers an exciting opportunity to work with public health experts, microbiologists and epidemiologists, translating research into NHS and private sector applications.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in a relevant scientific subject; strong track record in bioinformatics.
• Experience analyzing microbial pathogen genetics using appropriate tools.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language and ability to work with complex data workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and conduct of bioinformatic analyses within the MMM Unit.
• Supervise projects and contribute to publications.
• Collaborate with NHS, public health bodies and international partners to translate findings into practice.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Pathogen genetics

Programming

Project management

Education

PhD (or near completion)

BSc or equivalent

Tools

Genomics tools

Job description

John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford

About the Role

We are seeking a creative and enthusiastic Bioinformatician to lead on the design, conduct, supervision and publication of bioinformatic analyses in the Modernising Medical Microbiology (MMM) Unit. The Unit comprises approximately 40 researchers situated in Oxford, predominantly at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Expertise within the unit spans clinical microbiology, public health, genetic sequencing, statistics, machine learning, bioinformatics and software engineering, with a supportive culture in which knowledge is shared. We aim to make rapid improvements to population and individual health by conducting research and ensuring our findings are applied quickly through our relationships with the NHS, public health bodies and the private sector. Located adjacent to the NHS clinical microbiology laboratory, we undertake large-scale epidemiological studies and pathogen sequencing. Team members have developed, and are iteratively improving, high-throughput methods with translational impact on the diagnosis, management, and understanding of bacteria and viruses in healthcare settings.

The University of Oxford is partnering with Wits University in South Africa based on an award jointly funded by the South Africa Medical Research Council, and the UK MRC. We are establishing a partnership to study AMR in a one health sampling frame in South Africa, focusing on gram negative drug resistance.

This is an exciting role, with the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team, including public health experts, microbiologists and epidemiologists in South Africa and in the UK. We have previously undertaken similar analysis in Oxfordshire, discerning transmission dynamics, and predicting important phenotypes (such as antimicrobial resistance) and studying plasmid biology.

This post is full time and fixed term for 1 year.

About You

To be considered for this position;

• You will hold a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant scientific subject though we would consider a very strong candidate with substantial relevant experience and a BSc or other equivalent undergraduate qualification in biology, biostatistics, statistics, medical or veterinary science or a related subject.


• Have demonstrable experience, ability and practical success in bioinformatics, especially to analyse microbial pathogen genetics


• Have proficiency in the use of a programming language


• Have demonstrable ability to organise and prioritise work efficiently whilst delivering results to the required standard and to an agreed schedule


• Have the ability to advise and influence the work of others

About the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine

The Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine (NDM) is one of the largest departments of the University of Oxford and is part of the Medical Sciences Division, with responsibility for a significant part of the teaching of clinical students within the Medical School.

Benefits of working

University employees enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts, and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums. See https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

£39,424 to £47,779 p.a.