We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Germline Genomics laboratory led by Dr Anjali Hinch at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford. The laboratory uses a combination of statistical, computational, and experimental approaches to understand how processes in our cells lead to changes in their DNA. These changes include errors (mutations) or shuffling up of chromosomes (recombination) in human eggs and sperm, which lead to genetic alterations that may be inherited by future generations.

 

We investigate the mechanisms underlying these changes and their impacts on our health and the evolution of species. Furthermore, we leverage them to understand how mutations arise in cancers. For example, in our work published recently in Science, we show that many mutations, a much higher number than previously thought, are the result of deliberate self-induced damage in our cells. This leads to mutations in 1 in 4 sperm and 1 in 12 eggs and increases the risk of many diseases, including developmental disorders and cancer.

 

In this role, you will work on the development of statistical models and machine learning algorithms and their application to large-scale datasets of human genetic variation, chromatin and epigenetic maps, protein binding data, and disease traits.  You will lead your research and have opportunities for international collaborations and for presenting your work at international conferences and workshops.

 

The successful candidate should hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in a quantitative discipline, for example statistics, applied mathematics, physics, or computer science. You should have experience in developing and applying statistical methods and in programming. Experience in analysing high-dimensional datasets is highly desirable. You should have a strong interest in biological problems, genetics and/or genomics, but previous experience is not required.

 

For further information about the position or the project, please see our website https://germlinegenomics.web.ox.ac.uk/.  Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr Anjali Hinch at anjali.hinch@path.ox.ac.uk.

 

The post is available as a fixed-term contract for 2 years, with possibility of extension. If you are interested in this position, and have the skills and experience we are looking for, please apply below. You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application.

 

The closing date for applications is midday on 31 July 2024. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.