The Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking a highly motivated researcher with strong computational and quantitative skills to fill a senior staff scientist position. This senior position combines the opportunity to lead cutting edge science with opportunities to mentor trainees, taking custodianship of the quantitative half of the lab, and a stable contract. Our work - and your projects - will stem from the intersection of high throughput cellular assays (e.g. single cell RNA sequencing), genetic perturbations (e.g. genome-wide CRISPR/Cas screens), and natural human genetic variation to understand the causes of differences in gene function and cellular traits between individuals. About our team: Our group is part of the Human Genetics Programme at the Sanger Institute, and our broad goal is to understand how genetic background influences the outcome of mutations. To do so, we measure, model, and modulate cell state across healthy and disease-relevant human genetic diversity. In the lab, we develop tools for genetic perturbations, and use genome engineering and synthetic biology to create cell lines for screening cellular traits. In the office, we develop probabilistic models as well as software tools to accurately and efficiently analyse the readouts. About You: You will have three types of responsibilities that reflect the latter three words in the role title. The first goal is to do excellent science ("scientist"). The staff scientist will have their own original projects that they lead (and ideally, incept), from analysis and modeling to writing and publication. It is expected that they produce a steady stream of first (or senior) author papers from these projects. The second goal is to provide continuity and support in computational and analytical methods ("staff"). The corresponding duties range from being responsible for the team code repositories and data organization to performing quick one-off analyses of pilot data, potentially developing a shared code base in collaboration with the department informatics support, and working with our wetlab on more integrated wet-dry science. The final goal is to mentor the trainees in the lab by consulting, and setting a high bar for code and analysis quality ("senior"). They will deputize for the lab head in giving immediate feedback on plots and analyses as appropriate, potentially perform sporadic code review to improve standards, and help on-board new team members. You will have the opportunity to design and execute experiments with the help of the staff scientist, research assistant, and postdocs in the wetlab. It is important you are able to bridge from understanding the processes generating the observed data, to implementing computational pipelines to extract information and applying (if necessary, creating) correct models for analysis. You are expected to make progress on your own projects as the first priority, while budgeting time for other aspects of the role in supporting the team, as well as training in further skills, piloting new leads, and potentially collaborating externally on other projects. To function effectively in a multidisciplinary, collaborative setting, you also have to be able to communicate well with scientists from diverse backgrounds. This position offers the opportunity to work at one of the world’s leading genomic centres at the forefront of genomic research. You will have access to Sanger's computational resources, including a 15000+ core computational cluster, the largest in life science research in Europe, and multiple petabytes of high-speed cluster file systems. Our group has a vibrant wet-lab and access to core facilities, where we generate our own data with the help of dedicated staff. This provides an exciting opportunity for you to not only analyse the data, but to be actively involved in the planning and execution of large-scale experiments. We are part of a dynamic and collaborative environment at the Genome Campus and, although we seek someone who can work independently, you will have the opportunity to interact with researchers across many Programmes at the Institute. In particular, we often share interests with colleagues from other teams in the Human Genetics and Cellular Genetics Programmes, as well as our neighbours at the European Bioinformatics Institute. Essential Skills PhD in a relevant subject area (Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics) Ability to devise novel quantitative models, use relevant mathematics-heavy literature Experience in formulating the world in statistical models and applying them to real data Full working proficiency in a scripting language (e.g. Python, R, Perl) Full working proficiency in UNIX/Linux Strong publishing record Ability to communicate ideas and results effectively Ability to work independently and organise own workload Motivation to understand how genetic variation impacts on cellular traits Ideal Skills Knowledge of genomics and molecular biology Previous experience with genetic screens Previous experience with RNA sequencing data analysis Previous experience in creating finished software Full working proficiency in a compiled language (e.g. C, C++, D, Fortran) Previous experience with implementing–omics data analysis pipelines on a cluster Other information Please include a CV and a cover letter describing your skills with your application. Closing Date: 30 November 2019 About Us The Wellcome Sanger Institute is a world leading genomics research centre. We undertake large-scale research that forms the foundations of knowledge in biology and medicine. Our findings are used to improve health and to understand life on Earth. Find out more at www.sanger.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube and on our Blog. Our campus Set across 130 acres, just outside of Cambridge, The Sanger Institute is located on the stunning Wellcome Genome Campus. Home to some of the world's foremost institutes and organisations in genomics and computational biology, committed to delivering life-changing science with the reach, scale, and creativity to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges. Our benefits: There’s an attractive benefits package on offer at the Genome Wellcome Campus. We appreciate the importance of achieving work-life balance and support this with a number of family and carer-friendly policies. Plus a flexible working policy for those who may wish to amend their working pattern or arrangement. As well as the usual benefits you would expect, we go much further: 25 days annual leave (extra 1 day to a maximum of 30 days for every year you work) Auto-enrolment into a generous Group Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, with enhanced company contribution (for more information, see our Pensions page) Up to 2 days annual paid volunteering leave Up to 10 days paid Emergency Carers Leave per year Family friendly environment including options for flexible and part-time working, an on-site Workplace Nursery salary Sacrifice Schemes for pre-school children and Summer holiday club Life Assurance Cover and a Group Income Protection Scheme (if on a contract of 12 months or more) Enhanced maternity leave and parental leave Access to substantial number of courses and training events onsite Private Healthcare Scheme (after 6 months service) Eyecare and Dental payment plans Concessions and discounts from our corporate perks site Being part of the Genome Wellcome Campus you will be part of the beautiful working environment with an impressive range of benefits, services and facilities also including: Free bus service to and from Campus, covering various routes around Cambridge, Saffron Walden and surrounding villages A car-share initiative Free parking A number of on-site venues where you can meet, eat and socialise with colleagues A thriving Sports and Social Club which provides members with subsidised access to a gym, tennis courts, sports hall, fitness classes and a vibrant social calendar of events Find out more about our Genome Wellcome Campus. We hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award and will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.
