Junior Group Leader - Ethnic Group

There is an opportunity for a new junior group leader to acquire independent investigator status and in the field of human cancer predisposition and pathogenesis, with a focus on the diverse population of the UK and other countries. A new appointee is required to work on how and why the risk of cancer and its clinical features vary among patients of different ethnic origins. It is known, for example, that some ethnic groups in the UK tend to have more aggressive cancers, but the reasons behind this are largely unknown. The project will focus on breast, bowel and other cancers in the West Midlands population, with links to collaborative projects in India and Africa.

The post-holder will be an independent scientist, working under the overall direction of Ian Tomlinson, Director of the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences in the Birmingham Medical School. The post-holder will also work with and be supported by a group of local collaborators who share research interests in how cancer varies with ethnic origins. The group's constituent members comprise Sudha Sundar (Hon. Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Cancer Lead for Birmingham Health Partners and member of the Birmingham Institute for Global Innovation), Abeer Shaaban (Consultant Histopathologist and Hon. Senior Lecturer), and Jean-Baptiste Cazier (Director, Centre for Computational Biology).

The post-holder will be expected to propose and lead projects within the research area outlined above. For example, these might comprise the analysis of genetic predisposition to cancer in different ethic groups, or the molecular features of those cancers, with relvance to cancer prevention and optimised treatment. The successful candidate need not necessarily be a “wet lab.” person, but is likely to have a broad range of experience and expertise in the analysis of large data sets based on population studies of genetic, ‘omic or other data, and experience in statistics and working with larhe data sets is highly desirable.

The role will require a degree of flexibility, since it may involve working with colleagues on several projects with different types of data within the overall theme.

The post would suit a researcher with an excellent track record in genetic epidemiology or related subjects, including senior post-doctoral scientists. It is available from 30th September 2018, with the possibility of extension subject. The successful candidate must be able to rapidly initiate his or her work in the new environment.

Person Specification

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• PhD and substantial post-doctoral experience in one or more of Human Genetics, Cancer Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Epidemiology, Population Genetics, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Sciences, or another relevant biological or medical domain.
• Proven experience in the analysis of data from human populations
• Ability to learn and keep abreast of latest technological, methodological and software developments.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Track record, at as high a level as possible, of publication and other scientific achievements in an area closely related to the new group's activities

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Experience of designing human population studies and recruiting participants to those studies
• Experience of processing and molecular analysis of human samples, including blood, saliva and arcival cancer specimens
• Knowledge of bioinformatics resources such as annotation tools and databases.
• Proficiency in programming languages and databases
• Excellent inter-personal skills; ability to develop effective working relationships with a diverse range of people and external organisations with disparate goals
• Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment of Clinicians, Biologist, Bioinformaticians and Computer Scientists
• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to implement effective project management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely, and to communicate with a wide range of people at all levels
• Proven ability in writing successful grant proposals
• Ability to work proactively, planning and prioritising work without close supervision, under pressure and to deadlines.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to interact with partners and explain complex ideas and information in a clear, understandable way, including to non-scientists