Research Fellow in Data Science

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Edinburgh seeks 3 Post-Doctoral Research Fellows in data science/molecular epidemiology. Successful candidates will work on a BBSRC-funded project involving DNA methylation data from large Scottish studies. Required are a PhD and a strong background in data analysis. The role offers a competitive salary of £41,064 to £48,822 per annum and involves office-based work for at least 3 days a week.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Skills

PhD in data science/molecular epidemiology

Evidence of first author publications

Ability to manipulate/analyse large datasets efficiently

Understanding of genetic/epigenetic epidemiology

Strong statistical analysis skills

Education

PhD

Job description

Overview

CMVM / Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine / Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: until 31/08/2029

The Opportunity:

3 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow positions in data science/molecular epidemiology are available within the Marioni Group at the University of Edinburgh. The posts will be fixed-term until 31/08/2029. These are part of a BBSRC-funded grant ("Methylation Ageing by Lifestyle and Tissue biosample - MALT") into omics and healthy ageing.

The research projects will utilise DNA methylation data from three large, Scottish studies across both blood and saliva (~35,000 samples in total). We 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.

These posts are full-time (35 hours per week) and will be office-based for a minimum of 3 days a week.

The salary for these posts is £41,064 to £48,822 per annum.

Your skills and attributes for success:

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

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Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

As a valued member of our team you can expect: (Can be tailored)

• 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 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.

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 6 October 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 browser's local time zone.

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

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow's greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

About the Team

The Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine (CGEM) uses genetics and genomics to understand the mechanisms of disease and improve disease prediction, prevention and prognosis. Our research is leading to the development of new diagnostic tests and medicines and better use of existing medicines in clinical trials.

To find out more visit the Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine Webpage.

The Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine is part of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC). This partnership with MRC Human Genetics Unit and CRUK Edinburgh Centre aims to understand development and disease by using the latest developments in genetic, genomic, cellular and clinical science. The partnership provides access to state of the art scientific facilities, scientific infrastructure and business support, including on site Advanced Imaging Resource, Animal Model support, Bioinformatics Analysis Core, DNA sequencing, Flow Cytometry, Mass Spectrometry, HTPU microarray. The IGC also offers a highly collegial environment with excellent local career development support, active social, wellbeing and sustainability related groups making it a very desirable and supportive working environment.

To find out more visit the Institute of Genetics and Cancer Webpage.