Reflections on attending FENS2024 by one of our BNA Scholars, Dipa Begum
23rd August 2024
Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century.
To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.
We are looking for an enthusiastic bioinformatician Research Associate to join Professor Julie Williams’ team in the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff, School of Medicine.
The UK Dementia Research Institute is a joint £290 million investment into dementia research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), alongside founding charity partners, the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. It is one of seven UK centres bringing collectively world-prominent scientists to deliver a step-change in the scientific knowledge of dementia, generating new targets for drug development, reinvigorating the therapeutic pipeline and helping to transform care. Our strategy is to build upon research strengths in dementia genetics, immunology, computational analytics, cellular and whole system modelling and neuroimaging to identify disease mechanisms and therapies for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s disease and other dementias.
In this role, you will:
Undertake a range of genetic and genomic analyses to identify associations with Alzheimer’s disease and relevant phenotypes
Test for differences between those with high and low polygenic scores using a broad range of disease-relevant assays in a variety of models, including induced pluripotent stem cells, animal models and chimeras
We’d like to hear from you if you:
Have experience within the fields of data science, bioinformatics, computational biology or proteomics
Have experience in writing code in object-oriented programming languages (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB).
Have a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
Job Purpose
To conduct research within Alzheimer’s disease data analysis and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
Duties and Responsibilities
Research
Other
Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i. Data science, bioinformatics, computational biology or proteomics
ii. Writing code in object-oriented programming languages (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB)
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field
4. Proven ability to publish in national/international journals and generate other research outputs
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision
Desirable Criteria
Experience of application of multi-‘omics’ technologies, biostatistics, big data and integrating Machine Learning/AI approaches
A knowledge of the current status of research in induced pluripotent stem cells, neural development and neurodegenerative diseases.
Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School
To apply visit here.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Professor Julie Williams (WilliamsJ@cardiff.ac.uk)