Postdoctoral Fellow - Computational - Viral Genomics

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

About the Role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellow - Computational- Viral genomics, who is passionate about respiratory virus biology and excited about the goals of our institute, to be based in the Team led by Dr Ewan Harrison at the Wellcome Sanger Institute for 3 years fixed term.

About Us:

The Respiratory Virus and Microbiome Initiative (RVI) is a new initiative within the Parasites and Microbes (PaM) programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and working closely with the Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU). RVI aims to establish the next generation sequencing methods for routine genomic surveillance of respiratory viruses and other pathogens, including during a future epidemic/pandemic.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Harrison team, you will join a dynamic and collaborative multi-disciplinary team with expertise in performing sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of pathogen genomes, microbiome data, and laboratory investigations.

You will play a key role in the successful delivery of RVI’s goals by:

Generate further understanding of respiratory virus diversity and biology to better inform early warning systems for new pandemic threats.

Generation of knowledge on the transmission and evolution of known respiratory viruses in hospitals and community, including tracking and understanding pathogen evolution in the respiratory tract at a population level.

Contribute to the development and optimisation of sequencing methodologies for respiratory viruses.

The post and viral data generated as part of the RVI would be an ideal opportunity for candidates who are keen to develop your research ideas. We are keen to provide such opportunity through supporting you with developing fellowship applications and other funding avenues.

About You:

This key computational Postdoctoral Fellowship provides an exciting opportunity to lead projects working with collaborators, from different sectors, on a national scale. You will conduct original analysis and research on respiratory virus genomics data. This role is an opportunity to contribute to a large-scale pathogen genomics programme led by Dr Ewan Harrison, to conduct analysis on large scale and novel datasets, and to help shape the future of pathogen surveillance.

As a member of the Harrison team, you will join a team engaged in generating, processing, analysing and interpreting genomic data at scale and contributing to further development of capabilities for large-scale global genomic surveillance of respiratory viruses. You will be passionate about science and public health and be motivated to make an impact by generating knowledge on the transmission and evolution of respiratory viruses and other pathogens and contributing to the further expansion of routine pathogen surveillance. As a member of the Harrison team, you will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholder’s integral to the project's progress. You will have strong understanding of viral biology, genomics and large pathogen data sets.

You will be part of a vibrant international Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) community at the Sanger Institute with a wide programme of transferable skills training and excellent career development opportunities. For more information about being a Postdoctoral Fellow - please visit: https://youtu.be/1-vxm2nBmFA. You will be expected to seek appropriate training, including taking an active part in any training programmes organised for Postdoctoral Fellows.

Technical Skills:

• PhD in and relevant experience in (e.g. Viral genomics, phylogenetics and phylodynamics, viral evolution, metagenomics, or pathogen genomics) or equivalent qualification in Biological Sciences or on track to be awarded your PhD within 6 months of starting the role
• Proven ability to deliver research projects
• A track record of demonstrating research excellence and expertise in your area of research
• Knowledge, skills and experience as appropriate to research area;-
• Experience of viral phylogenetics and phylodynamics.
• Experience in handling, processing large pathogen data sets.
• Attention to detail when performing routine tasks.
• Experience in programming (Python, R, etc.)
• Experience in statistical analysis.
• Ability to test, implement and troubleshoot new approaches and techniques.

Competencies and Behaviours:

• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge
• Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated
• Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and results and present orally to groups
• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills
• Ability to priortise, multi-task and work independently
• Detailed orientated, strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Other information

Please apply with your CV and a Cover Letter outlining how you would meet the criteria set out above.

Salary: PDF £38,000 - £43,650 Role profile

Closing Date: 4th February 2024

Contract Type: 3 years core funding

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members. 

For more information about our immigration service visit: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers/global-mobility-and-immigration-service/