Research Fellow in Data Science

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed educational institution in Edinburgh is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Data Science/Molecular Epidemiology. The role involves conducting GWAS analyses, developing epigenetic clocks, and integrating datasets to study healthy ageing. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and experience with large datasets. A competitive salary and diverse staff benefits are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Family-friendly initiatives

Comprehensive pension schemes

Responsibilities

• Carry out GWAS analyses to identify mQTLs that are unique/shared between blood and saliva.
• Develop large-scale epigenetic clocks based on saliva biosamples.
• Integrate DNAm datasets with longitudinal eHealth records.

Skills

PhD in data science/molecular epidemiology (or near completion)

Evidence of first author publications

Ability to manipulate/analyse large datasets efficiently

Understanding of genetic/epigenetic epidemiology

Strong statistical analysis skills

Job description

The Opportunity:

A Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Data Science/Molecular Epidemiology is available within the Marioni Group at the University of Edinburgh. It is part of a BBSRC-funded grant (“Methylation Ageing by Lifestyle and Tissue biosample – MALT”) into omics and healthy ageing.

The research project will utilise DNA methylation data from three large, Scottish studies across both blood and saliva (~35,000 samples in total). Together with two other PDRAs, the researcher will:

• Carry out GWAS analyses to identify mQTLs that are unique/shared between blood and saliva,
• Develop the first large-scale epigenetic clocks and lifestyle/environmental (e.g., pollution, vaping, alcohol consumption) DNAm signatures based on saliva biosamples,
• Integrate the DNAm datasets with longitudinal eHealth records to build epigenetic signatures of healthy ageing, which we will then track longitudinally in parallel with other hallmarks of ageing using six waves of phenotype and DNAm data from the Lothian Birth Cohort of 1936.

The post is full-time (35 hours per week) and will be office-based for a minimum of 3 days a week. Part-time or remote working arrangements are not possible.

The salary for the post is £41,064 to £48,822 per annum.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD in data science/molecular epidemiology (or near completion)
• Evidence of first author publications
• Ability to manipulate/analyse large datasets efficiently
• Understanding of genetic/epigenetic epidemiology
• Strong statistical analysis skills

Click to view a copy of the full Job Description.

Application Information

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Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

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As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 24 November 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held ~2 weeks after the closing date.