Hybrid Internal Applicants Only - Bioinformatician at Cardiff University

This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Applicants Only - Bioinformatician
UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

We have an exciting opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Bioinformatician to join Professor Valentina Escott-Price’s research group within the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University. The post holder will play a leading role in the analysis of large and complex genetic and electronic health records datasets with a range of Statistical and Machine Learning approaches, whilst leading a broad range of investigative and analytical activities to maximally exploit clinical and genetic data, and linking them to genetic risk scores with the aim to replicate key biological hypotheses and findings from molecular, cellular, and human/animal experimental research across the UK DRI as well as to generate data driven hypotheses. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research investigating the complex architecture of dementia and related subphenotypes in human data.

Launched in 2017, the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) stands as a beacon of scientific innovation, representing an unprecedented £300 million investment in dementia research—the largest of its kind in UK history. The purpose of the UK DRI is through research, to transform the outlook for people living with or at risk of neurodegenerative conditions.  

Based in Cardiff University's flagship Hadyn Ellis Building, the UK DRI at Cardiff is one of eight UK DRI Centres. At Cardiff, we build on an international reputation for the genetics of brain disorders including Alzheimer’s and psychiatric conditions, neuro-immunity and bioanalysis. Current strengths include the discovery and functional analysis of genes underlying neurodegenerative diseases, specifically the roles of immunity and neuroinflammation, endocytosis, biomarkers and DNA repair, in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases.   

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

How we will support you in performing in this role – 

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4.    A mentoring scheme

Please contact Valentina Escott-Price ([email protected]) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from immediately and fixed term until 31st May 2027.

Salary: £40,497 - £45,413 per annum (Grade 6).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Closing date: Monday, 25 August 2025

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Purpose
To conduct research principally within biostatistics, machine Learning and bioinformatics associated with neurodegenerative disorders genetics in large population studies, and to contribute to the overall research performance of the School, University and the UK Dementia Research Institute, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties

Research

• To conduct research within biostatistics, Machine Learning and bioinformatics associated with dementia genetics and clinical data in large cohorts
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.  
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally  to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world

• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

45,413

Grade 6

40,497

Academic - Research, Health, Medical & Dental

The project is embedded within the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University. The post holder will work with Prof. Valentina Escott Price, and will attend and contribute to meetings and seminars. There will be an opportunity to interface with a variety of international cohorts for data analysis, and the opportunity to publish in high quality journals

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 20418BR

Research

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

-    Biostatistics/Bioinformatics in complex genetic analyses
-    Genetics of complex diseases
-    High Performance Computing
-    Big data manipulation and analyses
-    Machine Learning

3. Knowledge of current status of research in biostatistics, bioinformatics, machine learning, data simulation techniques, genetic interaction analyses
4. Proven ability to publish in national and international journals.
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working

6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

1. Relevant professional qualification(s): Undergraduate background/modules in either/or Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science or Mathematics.
2. Knowledge of techniques used in genetics and epidemiology, as well as experience in using software used for the analysis of genomic data such as Plink, GCTA, PRS-CS, LDScore, MAGMA.
3. Knowledge of techniques used for genetic rare variants analyses.
4.  Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
5. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.
6. A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.