Postdoctoral Research Associate – Medical School at University of Exeter

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Dr Leigh Jackson. This new MRC funded post is available from 1^st November 2023 on a fixed term basis until 31^st October 2026.

The project, titled “Evaluating scientific and ethical approaches to newborn screening with whole genome sequencing using large-scale population cohorts” will consider both clinical utility and validity as well as public views. The successful applicant will design, implement and analyze a Nationally representative survey to explore public perception of risk, clinical validity and attitudes towards the use of Whole Genome Sequencing for Newborn Screening. This survey will draw on findings from a conceptual analysis and scoping exercise, as well as patient and public group meetings. This work will fit into the larger Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) work being carried out within this project and the successful applicant will work closely with our Collaborators at the University of Oxford Centre for Personalised Medicine.

The post will include analysis of qualitative research data in order to develop themes and questions to be covered in the National survey, piloting of the survey to further refine the questions and then implementing the survey via a polling company (eg YouGov) in order to reach around 10,000 participants and subsequent analysis of this dataset. Findings will inform policy recommendations which will feed back to Genomics England to inform their roll-out of the Newborn Screening pilot.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD in Health Services Research (or be nearing completion), or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Additional knowledge of genomics and/or the ELSI issues involved with such technologies would be preferable. Applicants will be able to translate complex scientific comments into publicly accessible questions, integrate qualitative research findings into survey design and analyse large quantitative survey datasets.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

For further information please contact Dr Leigh Jackson, e-mail l.jackson2@exeter.ac.uk.

The application closing date is 5th October 2023 at midnight. The interviews are expected to take place soon after.