Postdoctoral Research Associate

UK date and time: 22-September-:46

Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine IDRM, Old Road Campus, Oxford

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join Professor Stephan Sanders' Research Group in the Department of Paediatrics as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Functional Genomics and Neurodevelopment.

You will develop, implement, and apply computational pipelines to analyse large-scale genomic datasets generated through Perturb-seq and other functional genomics approaches. You will use state-of-the-art computational methods to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopment and neurological disorders by integrating single-cell genomic and multi-omic datasets.

You will work as part of a highly collaborative international team, partnering with leading researchers at The Scripps Research Institute and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). You will play a central role in analysing and interpreting complex genomic data, integrating computational and experimental findings to advance our understanding of gene function in the developing brain and support the development of future genome-targeted therapies.

You will be working in a growing Department of Paediatrics within the University of Oxfords Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, neuromuscular disease and vaccinology. The post-holder will be based within the Sanders Research Group, led by Professor Stephan Sanders, an internationally recognised leader in neurodevelopmental genomics.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 2 years, with the possibility to extend, provided further external funding is available.This role meets the criteria for a UK Skilled Worker visa.

About the department

The Department of Paediatrics is committed to equality and valuing diversity. The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department.

We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford wellbeing resources , the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees.These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.

About you

You will hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Genetics, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, or a related discipline, together with relevant post-qualification research experience. You will have demonstrable expertise in developing and running data processing and analysis pipelines for a range of bulk and single-cell/single-nucleus genomic datasets, including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, Perturb-seq, and whole-genome sequencing.

You will possess strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, together with a proven ability to contribute to scientific publications and present research findings. You will be highly organised, proactive, and motivated to contribute to an internationally collaborative research programme investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders.