Research Associate

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join an internationally leading interdisciplinary team of King’s College London, Oxford University and Surrey University scientists working on the ‘Mind & Skin’ research programme.

Funded by the UK Medical Research Foundation, we are generating complex sleep monitoring, brain imaging and skin phenotyping data to understand the mechanisms underpinning adolescent skin disorders. We will employ machine learning, artificial intelligence and data integration approaches to study potential links between atopic dermatitis (AD), pruritus, sleep disturbance and altered brain function, including cognitive changes.

The bioinformatician will work under the supervision of Dr. Alessandra Vigilante, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, and Professor Carsten Flohr, Chair in Dermatology and Population Health Science and Mind & Skin Chief Investigator and be embedded in the new KCL Hub for Applied Bioinformatics (HAB). S/he will provide support in the data integration analyses as well as statistical analysis of data. The main purpose of the role encompasses performing data integration and statistical analysis while offering comprehensive data-driven decision support by overseeing the cleaning, integration, and analysis of diverse datasets, including skin microbiome, skin immune profiles, sleep measurements, and MRI imaging. This crucially involves collaborating closely with the interdisciplinary team to ensure the harmonization and cleanliness of multiple datasets, with the ultimate goal of uncovering connections between adolescent skin disorders, sleep disruptions, and altered brain function in the ‘Mind & Skin’ research programme.

We look for an ambitious candidate with established expertise in bioinformatics, specifically dealing with large data sets and data integration. Knowledge of python and R are essential.

Further information about the Mind & Skin project is found here:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.15818

For more information about the post, please contact Alessandra Vigilante ( [email protected] ) and Carsten Flohr ( [email protected]) ).

About the Faculty:

King’s College London Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine is one of the largest and most successful centres for research and education in the University. It consists of over 2000 staff and 5000 students within seven Schools and two Schools of Education.

The FoLSM Applied Bioinformatics Hub, home of a new and interdisciplinary network, is located on the Guy’s Campus in central London. It acts as a nucleus for a vibrant research community spanning the entire Faculty, bringing together researchers involved in different research areas such as computational genomics, genetics, cancer genomics, dermatology, immunology, reproductive biology and child health, cardiovascular research, neurobiology, evolutionary biology, pharmacology and others.

Hub for Applied Bioinformatics (HAB)

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/the-hub-for-applied-bioinformatics-hab 

This is an interdisciplinary cross-cutting network that brings together academics, clinicians and staff with different expertise and requirements, to support and undertake ground-breaking research involving big data, and deliver high-level education programs. It acts as a nucleus for a vibrant research community, spanning the entire Faculty of Life Science and Medicine.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 24 Months.

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide bioinformatics expertise to help the Mind & Skin programme members to achieve the research objectives.
• Data and statistical analysis
• Dataset integration
• Data management
• Keep an excellent record of analysis
• Prepare and present data to colleagues and other scientists
• Contribute to the production of research reports and publications
• The post holder may be asked to contribute bioinformatics expertise to other projects led by Professor Carsten Flohr.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

A PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, or a related field.

Demonstrated expertise in handling and analyzing large-scale biological datasets.

Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, particularly Python and R.

Experience with data integration techniques, including but not limited to machine learning algorithms, artificial intelligence methods, and statistical approaches.

Strong statistical analysis skills and familiarity with relevant software packages for data analysis and visualization.

Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment, effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical team members.

Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize bioinformatics workflows.

Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, evidenced by the ability to write scientific reports, manuscripts, and grant applications

Desirable criteria

Previous experience in analyzing sleep monitoring data, brain imaging data, or microbiome and phenotypic data related to skin disorders.

Knowledge of data management best practices, including data versioning, documentation, and reproducibility.

Prior involvement in interdisciplinary research collaborations, particularly in the fields of dermatology, neuroscience, or sleep medicine.

Evidence of independent research initiative, such as publications in peer-reviewed journals or contributions to open-source bioinformatics software projects.

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.