Research Associate (Fixed Term) at University of Cambridge

We are seeking to appoint a talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in statistical genetics to join the CARRIAGE study team (www.carriagestudy.org.uk) led by Dr Ewan Harrison in the Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary project that includes Dr Carl Anderson (Wellcome Sanger Institute), Professor Julian Parkhill (University of Cambridge), Professor Sharon Peacock (University of Cambridge), Professor John Danesh (University of Cambridge), and Professor Joan Geoghegan (University of Birmingham).

The CARRIAGE study aims to understand the basis for human nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus using a combination of microbiology, microbiome analysis and genetic epidemiology.

The primary role of the post holder will be to lead a human genome-wide association study (GWAS) to determine the contribution of human genetic variation to Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonisation using human WGS and genotyping data from 20,000 healthy blood donors who have taken part in the CARRIAGE study. The post holder will also contribute to follow up of the initial GWAS, using methods like fine-mapping and colocalization. In addition, the post holder will have the opportunity to develop methods to carry out GWAS using a large datasets of respiratory microbiome shotgun sequencing data and for other infectious diseases determined by linkage to electronic health record data. The CARRIAGE project will also generate large-scale pathogen genome data enabling dual-host-pathogen GWAS.

The majority of the post-holder’s work will be carried out at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus with some time spent in laboratories at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire. The post-holder will be required to hold a Visiting Worker Agreement with the Sanger and their employment may be at risk if the Agreement is withdrawn.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD, or an equivalent research doctorate. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once PhD has been awarded. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 30 months in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 12th November 2023

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference RC38949 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.