Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Informatics

The Kennedy Institute are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher with experience in bioinformatics/computational biology and a strong interest in human genetics and the microbiome. You will be a member of the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies (OCMS), within the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (KIR), the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, where you will have the opportunity to collaborate with multiple research programmes seeking to better understand microbe-immune interactions and their contribution to inflammation and disease.

OCMS combines interdisciplinary expertise with state-of-the-art research facilities to support microbiome research. As an active member of OCMS you will be expected to collaborate closely with both wet and dry-lab biologists, taking a lead role in the analysis of large microbiome datasets (e.g. NGS, metabolomics), and their integration with host genetic and multi-omic data (e.g. genotyping, whole-genome sequencing and single-cell sequencing).

You should take a lead role in the computational analysis of microbiome and human genome datasets with a particular focus on their integration and interaction analysis and be able to work independently, as well as assist in the supervision of junior research group members. You will help lead in the development and maintenance of a central, open-source code collection for the bioinformatic analysis and integration of microbiome and multi-omic datasets, along with, reporting regularly to group leads on scientific activities and any other issues that may influence the successful completion of a project.

You will hold a PhD degree (or near completion) in a discipline of direct relevance to computational genomics and/or statistical genetics, have the ability to deliver high-quality research that includes computational and statistical analysis of complex genomic datasets, as demonstrated by a strong publication record in high-profile scientific journals and have a strong and demonstrable competence with Python, R and the use of version control software. Experience of supervising a team of junior staff in a scientific research setting and excellence communication skills as evidenced through oral presentations, contributions to scientific manuscripts, and ability to document and present code is essential.

Experience of contributing to grant proposals is desirable, as is experience analysing microbiome and/or human genome datasets.

This is a fixed-term, full time position until 31/07/2026.

A lower grade offer (Grade 7: £36,024- £44,263 p.a.) may be made to a less experienced candidate (such as recent PhD/DPhil graduates) or candidates originally from experimental backgrounds who need further training in one or more aspects of this position, if a suitable candidate cannot be found to fill the Grade 8 position.

Due to the nature of the research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, this job will require additional security pre-employment checks:

•    A satisfactory basic Disclosure and Barring Service check

•    University security screening (e.g. identity checks)

The closing date for this position is 12 noon on Monday 8th April 2024. You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application.