View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1661

The London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a Medical Research Council funded research institute at the Hammersmith Hospital campus (London W12) of Imperial College London, with around 400 biomedical researchers undertaking multidisciplinary and internationally-competitive science.

For more information, visit www.lms.mrc.ac.uk.

Applications are invited for a 3-year postdoctoral research position within the Computational Cardiac Imaging Group, led by Prof Declan O’Regan, at the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS). We are looking for a highly motivated and creative postdoc interested in joining our friendly international team.

Our lab has a longstanding interest in studying genetic and environmental risk factors for heart disease using innovative approaches to analysing human imaging. We use a flexible and inter-disciplinary approach to research that moves between individuals, populations and model organisms. We have studied how complex traits contribute to heart function (Meyer et al. Nature 2020), health outcomes (Bello et al. Nat Mach Intell 2019), and inherited heart disease (Schafer et al. Nat Genetics 2017).

We are looking for a research associate with a background in biomedical computational science who can develop innovative approaches to understanding how complex traits in the heart affect human health. This will make use of rich computational image phenotyping obtained in large and diverse biobanked populations with genotyping and whole exome sequencing. You will be working in a very diverse team that spans clinical and scientific disciplines. You will be using skills in mathematics and computational science to answer key questions about the mechanisms underlying heart disease. This will involve the development of innovative ideas to solve complex classification, association and prediction tasks in biomedical research.

You will have the opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of translational medicine research in a vibrant and supportive multi-disciplinary team that crosses traditional scientific domains. There are excellent opportunities for professional development – taking full advantage of collaborations and facilities across the LMS and Imperial College including mentoring networks and peer support groups.  

Main Responsibilities:

• To take initiative in the planning of research
• To direct the work of small research teams
• To identify and develop suitable techniques for the collection and analysis of data
• To work collaboratively and support other projects in the group
• To conduct data analysis
• To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
• To write reports for submission to research sponsors
• To present findings to colleagues and at conferences
• To submit publications to refereed journals
• To provide guidance to staff and students
• To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
• To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and Institute
• To provide guidance to PhD Students
• Contribute to bids for research grants
• To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision
• To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental WorkTo actively participate in the research programme of the Group and Unit
• To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings
• To participate in Group/Unit research meetings and internal seminars
• To collaborate with other allied scientists within Institute, Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
• Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand
• To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s/Unit’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories
• To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required
• To comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate
• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):

Essential:

• PhD (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics or other relevant discipline

Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Ability to code in R or Python with proven skills in programming
• Previous experience in biomedical research
• Experience in data science, statistics or machine learning

Desirable:

• Previous experience of performing genotype-phenotype modelling or outcome studies
• Previous experience of handling large datasets
• Familiar with HPC environments, Linux, Docker and GitHub
• Development of machine learning algorithms and use of deep learning libraries
• Knowledge of regression modelling techniques
• Track record of authorship of software and/or database tools
• Previous experience of a multidisciplinary research environment with a track record of relevant publications and presentations
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

Essential:

• Ability to conduct reproducible research
• Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts
• Creative approach to problem-solving
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people
• Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high standard of work
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
• Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the Internet
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
• Flexible attitude towards work
• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
• Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role

For informal enquiries, please contact Declan O’Regan (declan.oregan@lms.mrc.ac.uk)

Please upload your CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a covering letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). 

Please quote reference number: LMS 1661