RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Research Associate in Genetic Epidemiology. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead the genetic and proteomic analyses required to develop and validate diagnostic tests for axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, within a dynamic and inclusive environment.

You will be responsible for:

• Conduct GWAS and GWAS meta-analyses using individual-level and summary-level genetic data.
• Prepare, quality control, harmonise and analyse large-scale genetic and clinical datasets, including UK Biobank, All of Us and other cohort or biobank resources as appropriate.
• Generate, apply, validate and compare genetic risk scores for axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis in relevant clinical populations.
• Evaluate genetic risk scores alongside HLA-B27, clinical variables and other biomarkers, including assessment across relevant subgroups.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• PhD awarded, or close to completion, in statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, computational genomics, data science or biostatistics or a closely related quantitative discipline with a substantial genomics component.
• Experience conducting GWAS meta-analysis using summary-level data.
• Experience generating, applying or validating genetic risk scores in independent datasets.
• Experience evaluating risk scores or prediction models, including assessment of diagnostic or predictive performance in biomedical data.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience developing or evaluating diagnostic prediction models using genetic, proteomic, biomarker or other high-dimensional molecular data.
• Experience analysing proteomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic or other omics datasets.
• Experience with Olink, SomaScan or other proteomic platforms.
• Experience with HLA/MHC analysis or immune-mediated disease genetics.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure

• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Dr Sizheng Steven Zhao
Email: Sizheng.zhao@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.